The incoming CEO of YMCA Derbyshire has promised to continue to put the charity at the heart of civic life and represent the needs of local young people when he steps into his new role later this year.
Matt Jones, who is the group chief executive of YMCA Thames Gateway Group, will take over the reins in November, when the charity’s current CEO, Gillian Sewell, steps down.
Matt is bringing more than 30 years of senior leadership experience to Derbyshire from his previous work with the YMCA and other organisations across the charity sector, housing, health and social care.
He has led YMCA Thames Gateway Group for the past two years, overseeing its operations across a number of London boroughs, including Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Greenwich, as well as across Essex and Kent, where it delivers housing, community, health and children’s services.
Matt is joining YMCA Derbyshire with the charity on a high, having just opened its flagship housing scheme, Foundry Point, which is a collection of 60 furnished, self-contained one-bed apartments in Cotton Lane, Derby, for young people aged 18 to 30 in work or training.
The development is part of the charity’s wider Aspirational Housing strategy, which aims to support young people on their journey from supported accommodation to independent living.
Foundry Point is just one part of YMCA Derbyshire’s provision, which also includes supported housing, education, childcare, poverty relief and wellbeing, which are delivered across several sites in Derby and Ilkeston.
It is a far cry from where the charity was when Gillian took over and its growth and success is one of a number of reasons that Matt chose to apply for the CEO role.
He said: “The YMCA is a very well-established charity but, although its mission hasn’t changed in all the years it’s been active, the way it fulfils that mission has, because of the many challenges young people face these days.
“YMCA Derbyshire is a role model for the rest of the federation because it has grown its provision to meet young people’s more complex needs, well beyond putting a roof over their heads.
“That’s down to what Gillian and her team have built over the years in Derbyshire, and I’m very excited about taking over and continuing that work.”
Another aspect of the role that Matt is looking forward to is playing an active role in public life and ensuring that the needs of young people and their challenges are recognised on a regional and national level.
He added: “Another hallmark of Gillian’s time in Derby, and why her shoes will be hard to fill, is the way in which she has ensured that the YMCA has a high profile in the city and the wider region.
“While my role is to run the organisation, I also want to use my time to ensure the YMCA is there to see that young people are included in whatever political and policy changes greater devolution and Westminster bring us.
“I’m looking forward to that aspect of the work, as well as getting to know the community. Although I’m not from Derbyshire, I do have connections in the area and I’ve already seen how the charity has developed strong partnerships across the city.”
Julian Smith, chair of the board of YMCA Derbyshire, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Matt as the next Chief Executive of YMCA Derbyshire and are looking forward to supporting him as he begins this next chapter with us.”
“Throughout the recruitment process, he demonstrated not only considerable leadership experience and a strong understanding of the YMCA movement, but also a genuine passion for improving the lives of young people and strengthening communities.
“Under Gillian’s leadership, YMCA Derbyshire has grown in both reach and impact, becoming one of the most respected YMCAs in the country, and we believe Matt is the right leader to build on her outstanding legacy.
