Trustee
James is the Founder/Director of Young Voices Heard, established in 2017 to enable greater youth participation in decision-making and democracy. Prior to this James was the Chief Executive of the British Youth Council 2008-2016, which also manages the UK Youth Parliament, working in partnership with national and local government across the UK.
His interest in empowering young people as active citizens has developed during a career of face to face youth work, juvenile justice and social work (qualified Social Worker/Probation Officer) before progressing to roles in training, management and international development, working for several national charities including the National Children’s Bureau and the Prince’s Trust.
He is strong advocate of youth volunteering and mentoring, and currently volunteers for the #iwill youth social action campaign and the Royal Commonwealth Society. He is a regular blogger for Children and Young People Now magazine.
Born in Northern Ireland, educated at Durham/Southampton universities, but now living in Kent, James likes music, flying, travelling and writing. @YVH_YouthVoice
He joined the Board in 2018.