Our Patrons

  • Former chairman and honorary life president of West Ham United F.C., Terry boasts a distinguished business career, having served as Chair of West Ham United from 1993 to 2007. After his football career, Terry dedicated himself to supporting local businesses and causes, becoming one of our first patrons. In recognition of his sponsorship of our flagship hub in Canning Town, the space was renamed The Terence Brown Arc in his honour.

  • Glyn is the Managing Director of Glyn Hopkin Ltd. Established in 1993 with Nissan in Romford, the company has grown to become one of the UK's largest and most successful automotive dealer groups. Today, they represent over 10 exciting brands across more than 40 dealerships in London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Cambridgeshire.

    A steadfast supporter of Kevin Jenkins and Community Links for over 15 years, Glyn is exceptionally proud to back Ambition, Aspire, Achieve. In recognition of his commitment, our second hub, opened in 2018, was named the Glyn Hopkin Abbey Hub in his honour.

  • Lyn represented West Ham as MP from 2005 to 2024—a role deeply rooted in her own upbringing in the constituency. Educated at Drew Road Primary School in Silvertown and Plashet Comprehensive School, she later studied English and Religion at Roehampton University, where she was elected President of the Student Union.

    Before her parliamentary career, Lyn served as a local councillor in Newham from 1988 and held significant roles with the Local Government Association and London Councils, where she was instrumental in establishing the London Libraries Development Agency.

    During her time as MP, Lyn served in the whips office and as Shadow Communities Minister, Shadow Fire Minister, and Shadow Minister for Africa. A passionate advocate for a Living Wage and increased inner-city funding, she has long championed the needs of West Ham.

    Now, as Baroness Brown of Silvertown in the House of Lords, Lyn continues her commitment to public service. She proudly supports Ambition, Aspire, Achieve and their exciting work empowering young people in Newham and across East London.

  • Actor, comedian, and writer Ricky Grover has been a close friend of Ambition Aspire Achieve since it began in 2016. Ricky, a Newham native, has appeared in popular British movies and TV shows including Red Dwarf, EastEnders, Porridge, and Afterlife, and is a regular on the UK stand-up circuit. Passionate about supporting local children and young people to reach their full potential, Ricky continues to be a strong advocate for the community he calls home.