Young Women’s Trust has appointed four new trustees to help drive forward its mission to create a fairer world where young women can live and work on equal terms.
The new appointees bring a wealth of experience in leadership, communications, fundraising, employment and training.
Steph Driver joins the charity’s board following her role as former Director of Communications at No10 Downing Street. With 20 years’ experience in political communications, Steph has most recently led media and communications for Keir Starmer, both as leader of the Opposition and as Prime Minister.
“I’ve long admired the work of Young Women’s Trust and its determination to make sure that talent, determination and skill open doors for young women, irrespective of where they come from. It’s a mission I identify with; Westminster which is packed full of clever talented people but lacks variation in background. I’m delighted to use my experience to drive forward this work.”
Phil Kerry is Chief Executive of New Horizon Youth Centre, a London based organisation that supports young people facing homelessness. Phil has led the charity through significant change whilst strengthening its impact and voice. Beyond the centre, he has held a number of trustee positions and is a passionate advocate for the work of the sector as a writer and contributor.
“Being a proud dad to two girls, I was particularly drawn to this role. All young women deserve a brighter and more equal future and I’m delighted to support Young Women’s Trust in their mission to achieve this. I describe myself as a proud generalist having started my career in finance before moving into operations and external affairs and I look forward to using my broad experience in this governance role.”
Gianina Harvey-Brewin is the Dean of Continuing Education at the University of Roehampton. Throughout her career, Gianina has sought to better understand the link between education, employment and social mobility, and how they shape people’s lives and opportunities. Alongside her leadership roles in higher education she has also held advisory and governance positions across both the education and employer sectors.
“Young Women’s Trust brings together two things that don’t always sit alongside each other – providing direct support and a genuine commitment to challenging the systems that make that support necessary. Much of my career has been spent working with employers and watching how inequality quietly embeds itself in recruitment, progression and workplace culture. I want to help push back on that, and to do it somewhere that keeps young women’s voices and lived experience at the centre of everything.”
Grace Wyld also join’s the charity’s board having spent most of her career in the charity sector, spanning policy research, strategy, and measurement and evaluation. Grace currently works for a political think tank focused on new approaches to progressive policy making and delivery. She has a particular interest in participatory methods for decision making and has a masters in Inequalities and Social Science.
“I have long admired the work of the Young Women’s Trust for its clarity of purpose and unapologetic hunger to create a more equal world for young women. I love that the charity’s work is driven by young women’s voices and ideas, and I look forward to contributing to its mission and supporting the team as best I can as a trustee.”
All four will join the board of Trustees – chaired by Emma Norris, deputy director of the IPPR – in its mission to achieve social change and close the income gap between young women and young men.
Emma Norris, deputy director of the IPPR and chair of Young Women’s Trust, said:
“Bringing together the breadth of experience from our four new trustees will help us to forge ahead with our mission. At a time of growing political uncertainty, rising misogyny, rapid changes in the world of work and persistent discrimination, the need to stand up for young women – and ensure young women can stand up for themselves – has never been greater. As these challenges reshape young women’s ability to shape their futures, our work has never been more vital.
“Stephanie, Phil, Gianina and Grace bring exceptional experience across politics, employers, charity leadership and frontline services. I’m looking forward to working alongside them, as well as the rest of the board, to deepen our impact and strengthen our voice in the fight for equality.”