Alexandra Kelly

Founder, Powerchex

Alexandra Kelly is the founder and former managing director of UK pre-employment screening company, Powerchex, and formally the MD of HireRight’s background screening operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Born and raised in Greece, Alexandra moved to the USA aged 25 to study for an MBA. She arrived in the UK in 2000 – interrupting a round the world sailing trip – after discovering she was expecting their first child.

In 2005 she started Powerchex, a pre-employment screening firm specifically targeted at the London financial sector. Seeking investment, she went to face the BBC’s Dragons’ Den to pitch her business. The Dragons rejected her idea and said it couldn’t be done. Alexandra decided to go for it on her own, hired one employee and found a small office. On June 23 2010, California based HireRight Inc., a U.S. background screening company, announced that it had acquired Powerchex, with Alexandra being made Managing Director of HireRight’s background screening operations in the EMEA region.

Alexandra has won several business awards for her work and been featured widely in print and broadcasting media.

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Alexandra has mentored

Volo

We’re bringing companies, charities and individuals together through skilled volunteering in order to help break down societal barriers and support individuals in developing the skills needed to be effective members of this future workforce.

Volo
Enabling Enterprise
Balobeshayi
Careershifters
Portland Education
Student Circus

100% recommended, 100% impact. In just one hour, Alexandra was able to impart practical advice regarding the next stage in our journey. Her questions were precise, insightful and very well targeted towards the challenges that we laid out in our pre-meeting brief.

Lotis Bautista, Founder of Volo Group

Alexandra has mentored

Enabling Enterprise

Enabling Enterprise is an award-winning not-for-profit social enterprise, set up by a team of teachers in 2009. Our mission is to equip young people with the skills, experiences and aspirations they need to succeed in life.

Volo
Enabling Enterprise
Balobeshayi
Careershifters
Portland Education
Student Circus

Alexandra used her experience applied it to my own situation really effectively. She was clear with her advice, having listened well to the needs of my organisation. I have taken part in many other mentoring programmes and this is not always the case!”

Alice Faulkner, Head of Programmes at Enabling Enterprises

Alexandra has mentored

Balobeshayi

Balobeshayi is a social cooperative facilitating the integration of migrants in urban spaces.

Volo
Enabling Enterprise
Balobeshayi
Careershifters
Portland Education
Student Circus

She reads the issues perfectly. She knows what you need to do next and recommends many different options. I got more out of the hour from her than with any other course or book I’ve ever read.”

Beatrice Kabutakapua, Founder at Balobeshayi

Alexandra has mentored

Careershifters

Life’s too short to be unhappy at work. We help bright, motivated people who feel stuck in the wrong career find and move into more fulfilling work. We’ve done it ourselves and want to help you do the same.

Volo
Enabling Enterprise
Balobeshayi
Careershifters
Portland Education
Student Circus

Alexandra was sharp, candid and super helpful. We’ll be actioning her advice, which I’m sure is going to have a tangible impact on our business. Many thanks indeed!”

Richard Alderson, Founder of Careershifters

Alexandra has mentored

Portland Education

We help schools and school leaders be more effective by helping them think differently and do things differently. We help schools and school leaders be brave, so they can face challenges honestly. Bold, so they can take the risks they need to take. And authentic because if it doesn’t feel right, the chances are it won’t work right.