I first became a trustee at the age of 27. While it was a valuable experience, I didn’t entirely know what he was doing. That early experience shaped my belief in the transformational power of youth leadership and my passion to make boards more diverse, representative, inclusive and effective.

I brings over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector as a managing director, CEO, trustee, chair and founder, and I come to the role with humility, knowing that my role will be to lay foundations for the new independent charity on which others will build.

I’m proud to have my chance to play a part in the movement and excited about the months ahead, particularly the chance to meet members of the movement: funders, partners and most importantly young trustees.

I believe in the transformational power of youth leadership, but I fear that the opportunity to harness that power will be missed if young people have trustee experiences like I did, or, worse still, don’t have the opportunity to lead in our sector at all. That’s what attracted me to the Young Trustees Movement and its work helping young people find board opportunities and helping them to thrive as trustees. It’s a hugely valuable mission, and part of a wider drive which I’m passionate about to make boards more diverse, representative, inclusive and effective.

Looking at the organisations advertising trustee roles on the Young Trustees Movement website as I was preparing for my interview, I was struck by how important their work is, and I felt really excited not just about working with young leaders, but also helping those organisations to fulfil their vital goals through meaningful youth leadership. While I’ll only be in the role of interim CEO until the autumn when Mita Desai returns from her maternity leave, I’m proud to have my chance to play a part in the movement and excited about the months ahead, particularly the chance to meet members of the movement: funders, partners and most importantly young trustees.

I come to this position with humility, knowing that my role will be to lay foundations for the new independent charity on which others will build; and my aim will be to hand back to Mita an independent organisation which has all the foundations in place for success long into the future. I also know that the best movements are not about single individuals but rather the collective and that is the spirit in which I intend to fulfil the role: bringing my skills and experience, but working in partnership with all the young leaders who are part of this movement. Everything that we achieve over the months ahead will be achieved together.

A big focus in the role will be the transition of the Young Trustees Movement from being fiscally hosted by the Social Change Nest to becoming an independent charity. This important move won’t be without its challenges, since I know SCN has been such a great host for the movement over recent years. But the opportunity we have to make the Young Trustees Movement a fully independent, youth-led charity will definitely be worth the effort.

That opportunity comes with the responsibility to show that youth-led organisations can be exceptionally governed and run. I hope my experience over 20 years in the non-profit sector, as a managing director, CEO, trustee, chair and founder will mean I’m able to add real value in that respect.

I first became a trustee at the age of 27. While it was a valuable experience, if I’m honest, I didn’t entirely know what I was doing. The experience of being in board meetings, talking about important matters but not really understanding my role was uncomfortable, and it stayed with me. I tend to think that even difficult experiences can be useful, however, and so it proved when I learned that the Young Trustees Movement were looking for an interim CEO.

In that spirit, I’m really looking forward to meeting members of the movement in the weeks and months ahead, and I’d like to thank the Young Trustees Movement Board and staff team for making me feel so welcome, and to wish outgoing co-CEO Claire Hill-Dixon all the best for the future. I know she’ll be cheering us all on during the exciting times ahead.

Amelia Ireland, Chair of the Young Trustees Movement Board, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Joe, whose commitment to diverse and inclusive boards, alongside his wealth of knowledge and experience, will be invaluable in this interim period as we continue to build strong foundations to help us grow our reach and impact. We're also incredibly grateful for Claire's leadership over the last three years, which we know has made a lasting impact on the movement, and wish her every success for the future."

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