Diarmuid Molloy | Brighton, Brighton and Hove, UK
Chief Executive of the Year
Diarmuid Molloy is the Chief Executive of First Star Scholars UK, a national charity dedicated to improving life opportunities for young people growing up in care. His work focuses on tackling one of the UK’s most persistent inequalities: the severe under-representation of care-experienced young people in higher education and skilled employment.
Originally from Ireland and now based in Brighton, Diarmuid has spent more than two decades working in education, community development and social impact roles. His career has consistently focused on supporting individuals facing structural barriers, including young people in care, people with disabilities, those at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training), and individuals facing complex social challenges.
At First Star Scholars UK, Diarmuid leads programmes that support care-experienced young people through long-term mentoring, academic support and life-skills development delivered in partnership with leading universities. These programmes give scholars the opportunity to experience university life, build confidence, develop leadership skills and access pathways into higher education and employment.
Under Diarmuid’s leadership, the organisation has expanded its reach and strengthened partnerships with universities, local authorities and community organisations across the UK. The programme now provides sustained support for young people over several years, helping them build the confidence, resilience and practical skills needed to succeed in education and adult life.
A central part of Diarmuid’s leadership philosophy is ensuring that the voices of people with lived experience shape the organisation’s direction. A growing number of trustees and advisors within First Star Scholars UK are themselves graduates of the programme and care-experienced young people, helping ensure that decision-making reflects the experiences of those the charity serves.
Beyond his work with First Star Scholars UK, Diarmuid has also been involved in a range of community initiatives focused on disability inclusion, social mobility and community wellbeing. His work often centres on building partnerships that bring together charities, education providers, volunteers and communities to create practical solutions to social challenges.
Diarmuid believes that inclusive leadership is about creating environments where people who have historically been excluded are given the opportunity, support and belief needed to succeed. Through his work he continues to advocate for greater educational opportunity, social mobility and inclusion for young people whose life circumstances have too often limited their choices.
