Saab has chosen the following six people as worthy examples of modern day visionaries, all of whom embody the principles that Saab holds in high esteem. All six are independent thinkers who are unafraid to challenge convention and stand up for their beliefs. Their dedication has meant they are successfully changing long-held perceptions and making the world that little bit better. For more information on Saab’s vision, please click here »
In 1991 John Bird founded one of the best-known social enterprises in the UK: The Big Issue. Written by professional journalists, the magazine is sold to homeless people who then sell it on the streets for profit. It’s not a charity but it has certainly had a positive effect on thousands of Britain’s homeless people.
Bird spent most of his childhood in an out of orphanages and living on the streets. By his mid-20s he had spent several stints in prison for theft and was determined to go straight. Gordon Roddick, co-founder of The Body Shop, suggested Bird head up a project selling street papers and Bird agreed.
It was not an easy task and Bird faced mistrust amongst the homeless community who wanted the magazines provided for free. Not shy of a challenge, however, Bird’s hard work paid off, and today The Big Issue has a circulation of more than 150,000 and is sold by 2,000 homeless people who all receive training and support.
Bird’s lack of preconceptions is visionary. He wants to encourage enterprise amongst the people in prison and on the streets and channel this into something positive, as he himself did. He continues to raise awareness of homelessness and social injustice, and his tireless work was rewarded with an MBE in 1995 followed by the Beacon Fellowship Prize in 2006.