UnLtd announces Steve Taitoko as its new CEO to lead next phase of social entrepreneurship

UnLtd has announced the appointment of Steve Taitoko as its first CEO, to lead the foundation’s next phase of social entrepreneurship, revenue growth and cause based innovation across the industry.

Taitoko brings 20 years of local and international commercial and business strategy experience to the UnLtd movement.  

UnLtd chairman Kerry McCabe said Taitoko had an impressive track record of working with diverse organisations and industries to build profitability, diversity and sustainability.

Says McCabe: “This role attracted a lot of interest from a large and impressive group of leaders from both within and outside of our industry. Steve was the standout in terms of skills, capabilities and culture fit.

“He’s a creative and inspiring leader, with an entrepreneurial spirit and an authentic desire to make a difference. He will bring fresh eyes to the industry and has a strong commercial background, which has seen him hold the position of CFO for a publically listed company and launch a number of successful hi-growth businesses around the world.”

Taitoko has worked across a variety of sectors from boutique consulting companies and professional services environments, to e-commerce ventures and investment management firms. His most recent role was CEO of global tourism photography company, Magic Memories. Prior to that he led 24sevenpeople, a consultancy specialising in HRM and elite professional sport and player management.  

He also spent five years as chairman of a not-for-profit member organisation stimulating investment and trade between Australia and New Zealand.  Taitoko has extensive experience as a chartered accountant and was CFO of the publically listed ASG Group. He currently sits on the board of international tech company XM2.

Speaking on his new role, Taitoko said he felt incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to build on the increasing momentum of the UnLtd movement.

Says Taitoko: “My passion is helping organisations to grow rapidly and sustainably, whilst ensuring they have fun along the way and stay true to their purpose. The UnLtd purpose is one I connected with instantly – to be able to bring my commercial experience and contribute to UnLtd building from what is a very strong base is a very exciting proposition.

“That we have 680,000 young people classified as disadvantaged in Australia is unacceptable. The media, marketing and advertising industry, and the talent within this sector, represents unlimited potential to tackle the issues that a large number of our young people face head on, in a smart and meaningful way. I like that UnLtd takes a venture capitalist style approach to philanthropy, seeking out social entrepreneurs and supporting them in making a very direct and measurable social impact at scale.”

Taitoko’s remit as CEO will be to implement initiatives with the goal of achieving $10 million in annual revenue by the end of 2017, in addition to driving UnLtd’s current mentoring, volunteering and workplace giving programs.

UnLtd has raised in excess of $12 million in cash alone since its launch in 2008. Following a year of unprecedented growth in industry participation and a 400% uplift in grant applications UnLtd has recently celebrated its most impactful year yet with a 165% year-on-year increase in the industry’s collective impact across FY15.

With services, resources and skilled volunteering often valued as equal to cash funding by UnLtd’s 64 charity partners, the FY15 industry social impact report detailed a record $3.8 million in value delivered across the year.