Our people

About

Matthew has almost 15 years of working in the grant making environment working with people and communities to overcome challenges and realise their aspirations. Prior to joining Youth Futures Foundation he worked as a Grants & Awards Manager at the British Heart Foundation, and the National Lottery Community Fund in a number of roles across the grant lifecycle.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures

Matthew is a Relationship Manager, working accross grant programmes though with primary focus on the What Works Programme.

About

Emily’s career began in education and learning teams for various arts and heritage organisations, designing and delivering programmes directly to schools and young people. Prior to joining Youth Futures, Emily worked in partnership managment and strategic development for social mobility charities.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures

Emily is the Evidence into Action Programme Manager, she leads this unique learning and funding programme.

About

In his free time, Riazil enjoys playing and watching sports, reading, and travelling to new places.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures

Riazil supports the Relationships Managers and the Head of Grants in the delivery of innovative and impactful grant-making.

About

Salma is a PRINCE2-certified project professional with experience in programme coordination, stakeholder management, and process improvement across the education and non-profit sectors. Before joining Youth Futures, she led professional development initiatives and training programmes in the education sector, applying project management approaches to enhance learning outcomes and roll out innovative CPD programmes. She has also contributed to community engagement projects, supporting research, evaluation, and service improvement. Outside work, Salma enjoys exploring new coffee spots, hiking, and dabbling in creative DIY projects.

What are they involved with at Youth Futures?

Salma provides administrative and business support to the Programmes & Grants directorate, ensuring the successful delivery of the team’s objectives.

About

Prior to entering the grants sector via the 2027 Programme Jen spent 20 years in frontline delivery, developing projects to support young people affected by gender based violence, sexual exploitation and navigating the social care and criminal justice system.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

As part of the Programmes and Grants Team, Jen works on the Evidence into Action Programme, supporting organisations to become evidence-led in their support with young people.

About

Prior to joining Youth Futures Foundation, he has worked as an education researcher for Cambridge University Press & Assessment, the OECD, and UN evaluation agencies. His experience covers programmes targeting young people’s economic empowerment, civic participation, health education, language education and global competence.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures

Jonah is an educational sociologist and quantitative researcher. At Youth Futures Foundation, he supports the PLIAS project targeting youth involved in the criminal justice system, as well as the broader What Works Programme portfolio of impact evaluations. 

About

Leanne has a strong background in project management and stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining Youth Futures Foundation, Leanne was a Programme Officer at Frontline, where she managed the delivery of the Pathways leadership development programme for social work leaders. Leanne also has extensive experience in logistics, planning, and team management from their previous roles in the charity and finance sector.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures

Leanne is the Senior Programme Officer, supporting in the development, mobilisation, and delivery of the Building Futures programme.

About

Bal’s professional background includes Employability, ESOL, Management, Training and community engagement in both voluntary & statutory organizations. She has a passion for equality and empowerment and fair access for all.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

Bal is a Relationship Manager in the Connected Futures Team. She has lead on the work to expand Connected Futures to young people and communities with Bangladeshi or Pakistani heritage to create sytemic change by tackling discrimination amd barriers to employment.

About

Prior to joining Youth Futures Michael worked for a G15 housing association project managing a plethora of social and economic investment projects aimed at improving the lives of local people in the Hackney and Barnet boroughs of London.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

Michael is a Relationship Manager for the Connected Futures Fund supporting the local partnerships Connected Futures are investing in to tackle some of the wider systemic issues young people face within youth employment services.

About

Joanne’s experience includes a range of management roles across several sectors. Before joining Youth Futures, Joanne established and managed several countywide grant programmes – including emergency funding in response to the pandemic. Joanne is enthusiastic about continuous learning and embraces systems thinking. Joanne is a trustee for a micro, founder-led charity.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures

Joanne leads the development and improvement of our grants processes and systems.

About

Before joining Youth Futures, Megan spent over 15 years working in local government, specialising in employment and skills. She managed a range of projects and partnerships in Birmingham, from city-wide initiatives to neighbourhood-level programmes, including delivery of a large-scale European Social Fund/Youth Employment Initiative project across Birmingham and Solihull.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

Megan is Senior Relationship Manager for the Connected Futures Programme, where she works closely with our delivery partners, fostering a youth-led approach to driving systemic change in youth employment.

About

Danielle has a background in business development and finance having spent three years at one of the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms, Ernst & Young (EY). Danielle is extremely passionate about supporting young people to develop key skills and transition into meaningful employment and has worked and/or volunteered with a number of frontline delivery organisations such as: The EY Foundation, The National Citizens Service, Princes Trust, Childreach International, The Chartered Management Institute, The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise and more.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

Danielle is a Relationship Manager here at Youth Futures with responsibility for our Burnley and Hull Connected Futures Partnerships, currently working to create youth led and place-based systemic change.

About

Charlotte has 10 years’ experience working with young people and has a passion and commitment to driving forward initiatives that address disadvantage and improve progression pathways. Prior to joining Youth Futures Foundation, Charlotte worked for IntoUniversity where she was responsible for leading and developing a suite of positive impact outreach programmes for students aged 7 – 18.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures

Charlotte is the Head of Programmes for Building Futures, leading on the development, mobilisation and delivery of the programme.

About

Rosie is a degree qualified Youth & Community Worker who has been in the youth sector on a local, national and international level since 2007. She runs youth clubs across Birmingham and is a trustee for The Door Youth Project.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

Rosie coordinates the wider cross-organisational Connected Futures team to ensure the smooth running of the programme.

About

Lekan has experience within a leading social investment fund, grant giving with a focus on young people and capacity building support. In his spare time Lekan has held charity Board positions and is currently involved as a trustee for a local youth charity based in London.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

Lekan oversees a range of YFF grant programmes including ‘What Works,’ ‘Infrastructure,’ and ‘Evidence into Action’

About

Jo has over 10 years’ experience in office administration within the charity and arts sectors in Birmingham. Prior to joining Youth Futures Foundation, she was Centre Manager for a charity which supports vulnerable women of all ages preparing to enter the workplace.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures

Jo is the Grants Operations Officer providing administrative support to the programme and grants team to ensure the smooth running of our grant-making lifecycle.

About

MAtthew’s career has been dedicated to supporting communities and individuals to achieve their potential. Prior to working at Youth Futures, Matthew worked for the National Lottery Community Fund, where we led a number of different programmes and staff teams including Talent Match, Youth Investment Fund and the West Midlands Regional Direcorate. Outside of work, Matthew remains actively involved in youth development, dedicating his time to coaching and supporting young people through local youth work initiatives in the West Midlands.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

Matthew is the Director of Programme and Grants., leading grant and programme teams including our What Works Programme, Connected Futures, Building Futures and Evidence into Acction.

About

Louise has been working within the not-for-profit sector in Birmingham for almost 10 years, most recently working at a local infrastructure organisation. Her roles included contract and strategic relationship management for various programmes including a £6million Ageing Better programme and a strategic support and development programme for civil society organisations in Birmingham.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

Louise supports the development and delivery of Youth Futures Foundation’s grant making programmes.

About

With a background in commercial and corporate banking followed by 14 years’ experience of providing and managing grants and loans in the VCSE sector, Andy joins YFF from the Architectural Heritage Fund where he headed up its social investment team for 10 years. Away from work, he enjoys creative writing, reading Russian literature, and waiting for Grimsby Town Football Club to start winning again.

What they are involved with at Youth Futures?

Andy is a Senior Relationships Manager, leading delivery, commissioning, and management of funding and key relationships withing our What Works Programme: Testing Youth Employment Interventions.