Warden announces HOBY as 2026 charity partner

Warden has named youth leadership charity HOBY UK as our charity partner for 2026, supporting our organisations’ common goal of supporting young people in the regions where we operate.

HOBY, named after its American-born founder Hugh O’Brian, works internationally with young people from all backgrounds, empowering them to develop skills in leadership, service and innovation and make a positive impact in their communities.

Through the delivery of seminars and workshops, it aims to develop the next generation of young leaders by helping them build confidence and develop important life skills.

We chose to partner with HOBY UK because of its clear commitment to creating long-term, meaningful social impact. The charity’s values also closely align with our own, particularly around creating opportunities for those who may not have access to them.

By partnering with HOBY, we hope to contribute to sustainable community development in a way that extends beyond the projects we deliver and empower young people to do great things.

Throughout the year, our colleagues will be taking part in a number of fundraising and engagement activities, including the Born Survivor Challenge, a military style obstacle course, and a charity quiz night that will bring together colleagues, partners and friends of Warden to raise funds and support HOBY’s leadership programme.

Our managing director, Ian Williams, comments: “Supporting organisations like HOBY that invest in future talent is something we care strongly about. Through our partnership this year, we’re pleased to be able to play a small part in helping more young people realise their potential.

“Our colleagues have already been busy planning fundraising activities for the year ahead, and there’s a real sense of excitement across the business about getting involved and supporting the cause. We’re looking forward to seeing the team get behind it and are hopeful that, together, we can make this our strongest year for fundraising yet.”

HOBY UK, which is headquartered in Warrington, was set up by Warrington headteacher John Sharples who had met Hugh O’ Brian at HOBY’s World Leadership Congress in Washington DC in 2006.

John had seen the impact of the HOBY experience in the United States and wanted to create a similar programme in the UK so that more young people could benefit. With Hugh’s approval, HOBY UK was founded and it has held a leadership seminar at a UK university every year since 2007.

Through our activities, we are aiming to raise enough funds to cover the costs of HOBY’s 2026 student residential seminar, a three-day residential that offers 14–18-year-olds the opportunity to discover and develop their leadership potential and to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace or community.

In addition to its annual seminar, HOBY UK also offers school-based workshops to promote the basic ideas of leadership and volunteerism, as well as running international programmes.