Sir Rod Aldridge

Sir Rod Aldridge is a social entrepreneur with over 40 years’ experience in the public, private and third sectors. In 1984, he founded Capita, leading it until his retirement in 2006, and turning it from start-up to a FTSE 100 company. Today Capita remains the market leader in the provision of support and professional services to the government and private sector in the UK.

In 2006, Sir Rod established the Aldridge Foundation to further the work of his charitable trust. The Foundation helps young people to reach their potential and improve their communities, principally through the sponsorship of entrepreneurial academies and colleges. These have been established in the North West, London and southern coastal communities.

Sir Rod was awarded an OBE in the 1994 New Years Honours List, for services to the computer industry, and was given the freedom of the City of London in 1996. In 2006, he was elected fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and in 2012, he received a knighthood for services to young people.

Sir Rod is also the Founding Chair of Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, a government and industry co-sponsored initiative to address the digital skills gap many UK technology businesses face. Announced by the prime minister in December 2014, the College was the first newly incorporated Further Education College since 1993 when it opened to students in September 2016.