We’re often asked why we’re called ‘Annapurna’ and the answer is simple.
In 2008, our founders, Nigel Fox, James Ballard, and Charlie Appleyard, set out to create a search firm that did things differently from any other. They wanted to establish themselves as a responsible and trusted firm.
One that gives back to the communities it operates within.
The meaning behind ‘Annapurna’
The word ‘Annapurna‘ actually derives from the conservation area in Nepal, which happens to take its name from the well-known Hindu goddess of food and nourishment. With the connotations towards the mountain range and the goddess being able to give back, our three founders felt it was the perfect name for our firm to represent what we stand for in a saturated market.
The start of ‘Annapurna Giving’
Throughout the company’s entire existence, we’ve remained strong to our beliefs and regularly engage in charitable efforts as well as organising our own fundraising events, but as time went on, we realised that our dedication towards this side of the business needed its own platform.
Hence, the creation of Annapurna Giving, an arm of our business that is dedicated to hosting events and raising critical funds for our chosen charities to ensure they can continue providing their essential services.
Why we chose our charities
This year, we’ve chosen five different charities to partner with and support through various fundraising efforts. Those charities are: Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, Lives Not Knives, Just One Tree, TechSheCan, and Sports Parkinson’s, all of which are extremely close to our hearts for various reasons. Here’s why:
Our Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Story
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is a children’s hospice charity that operates across Surrey and the 14 boroughs of London, supporting over 700 children and their families to get the care and respite they need to enjoy time together without the usual pressures of life.
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Shooting Star Children’s Hospices holds a very special place in our hearts at Annapurna, thanks to the profound difference they made in the life of our colleague, Hope Milne (Talent Practice Search Manager).
When Hope’s younger brother needed their care, her family was facing an incredibly difficult time. Shooting Star Children’s Hospices not only provided essential medical support but also gave them precious moments of joy; from fun activities to easing the weight of day-to-day care.
Their services and kind nature helped create lasting, happy memories for Hope’s family during one of the hardest chapters of their lives, a gift that will never be forgotten.
Our Lives Not Knives Story
Lives Not Knives is a charity committed to preventing knife crime, serious youth violence, and school exclusions within London.
Through interactive workshops and educational programmes, they engage, educate, and empower young people, offering positive pathways and safe opportunities that steer them away from the violence they might otherwise encounter.
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Lives Not Knives is particularly close to our hearts because being based in London, many of our employees have grown up in and around the communities that Lives Not Knives directly supports.
We’ve witnessed first-hand the devastating impact knife crime can have on families and society, which is why we’re committed to supporting their mission.
Helping to make the communities we not only operate in, but also call home, safer is an incredibly rewarding responsibility. We’re deeply grateful for the vital work Lives Not Knives continues to do in protecting and empowering young people.
Our Tech She Can Story
65% of today’s students will go on to work in jobs that don’t yet exist, highlighting the way technology is changing and leading the job market.
Yet just 27% of female students consider a tech career, compared the 61% of males.
Tech She Can is a charity dedicated to changing this, working to increase the representation of women in technology and build a diverse future workforce.
One where tech is designed to work for everyone.
Through their Tech We Can programme, they educate, equip, and inspire young people—especially girls—to study technology subjects and pursue careers in the sector, helping to close the gender gap in tech.
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Given our position as an executive search firm operating within the technology sector, we see first-hand how the gender imbalance impacts the wider industry and we want to be part of the solution.
As a business, we’ve always been strong advocates for promoting women’s rights in the workplace and ensuring women receive the recognition they deserve.
This commitment inspired Becky Finnegan to take the lead in our Ellevate community; a space where female leaders can come together to share their experiences, inspire one another, and pave the way for the next generation of women in leadership.
By supporting Tech She Can, we’re proud to contribute directly to the ongoing effort to ensure women are equally represented in technology. For us, there’s nothing more rewarding than helping to shape a more diverse, innovative, and inclusive future.
Our Sport Parkinson’s Story
Sport Parkinson’s CIC is a charity dedicated to encouraging exercise and participation in sporting activities for people living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD).
All too often, a Parkinson’s diagnosis changes how people see their own abilities.
Sport is frequently one of the first things they give up, believing they can no longer take part.
Sport Parkinson’s challenges this perception by educating and reintroducing people with PD to the sports they love. Through activity workshops, community days, and other inclusive events, they help individuals rediscover confidence, enjoyment, and connection through movement.
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Sport Parkinson’s holds a particularly special place in our hearts because of its founder, Charlie Appleyard.
Charlie was one of Annapurna’s original founders and played a key role in growing the business into what it is today. Following his own Parkinson’s diagnosis, he went on to establish Sport Parkinson’s CIC, where he now dedicates all his time and energy.
Charlie’s courage and determination to ensure the disease doesn’t limit his lifestyle or love for sport is an inspiration to all of us. The work he and the charity are doing for the wider Parkinson’s community is nothing short of transformational.
We’re honoured to support Charlie and the entire Sport Parkinson’s team as they continue their vital mission.
Our Just One Tree Story
Just One Tree is a charity on a mission to combat the effects of mass deforestation by planting trees through their global network of reforestation projects.
Their work spans countries such as Madagascar, Brazil, Kenya, and many more, restoring ecosystems and helping to fight climate change.
With the support of partners like us, Just One Tree plants a new tree every 38 seconds, making a tangible difference for our planet’s future.
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Given that our name comes from the Nepalese mountain range and conservation area, it has always been important to us to give back to the region.
Just One Tree makes that possible in a simple yet impactful way.
By supporting their work, we’re helping to protect the beautiful climate of the area, and most importantly, safeguarding the future for the next generations. The trees planted today not only restore damaged ecosystems, but also bring lasting educational and environmental benefits to communities for years to come.
Throughout 2025, we’ll be hosting a series of fundraising activities to raise vital funds for our five chosen charities. Every penny we raise will go directly towards supporting the incredible work they do.
If you’d like to help us make a lasting difference, or if one of our chosen charities is close to your own heart, we’d be truly grateful for your support.
Our GoFundMe page for our upcoming “Elevation” challenge is now live, with a fundraising target of £500. You can visit the page and donate here.
Thank you.
