Meet our Trustees

Lee joined York CVS as a Trustee in May 2023 and alongside this role he is a member of the Constellation Multi-Academy Trust (East Yorkshire) and Chair of Millthorpe Secondary School’s Local Governing Body.  Lee works as a consultant in further education and skills, having served as a college principal for eight years in two different colleges, and prior to that as a senior manager both in colleges and the civil service.

Katie is the Emergency Planning Manager for a NHS Mental Health Foundation Trust (Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber (RDASH). A keen volunteer, Katie is a deputy manager for the Major Incident Response team in York and North Yorkshire, supporting people who have suffered trauma. Outside of work Katie enjoys travel, walking and snooker.

Kai is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion; and they have years of experience in developing engagement, research and teaching in this area. Kai has an academic background in gender and sexuality studies, and now supports anti-racism and intersectionality in their role as the Equality and Diversity Coordinator at the University of York.

Ben has over 15 years’ experience as a Charity Director and CEO. He previously worked on charity crisis support and strategic development across the UK and is currently Executive Director at a higher education professional association for University Registrars and Chief Operating Officers (AHUA, the Association of Heads of University Administration). In 20 years specialising in and around higher education Ben was Chief Executive at The University of York Students’ Union, a charity specialising in young people, education and community development for 13 years during which he established a passion for York, voluntary activity and community building.

Rachel is a charity communications specialist and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She has worked in education, publishing and IT and most recently as Head of Marketing and Communications for UK Community Foundations. She now runs her own freelance consulting business supporting not for profit organisations with strategy and communications. Outside work, Rachel enjoys singing and teaching the piano.

Jan is from York and is a Generous Giving Officer at the Diocese of York. Her previous role was with Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) as a Grants Officer and Community Development Worker. Jan graduated from a funder’s leadership programme called 2027, in collaboration with JRHT, Two Ridings Community Foundation and York Cultural Commission. 2027 enables the voice of people with lived experience into decision making systems. Jan has also worked for 34 years in primary education and has a heart for young people. She seeks ground-breaking initiatives that enable people to freely thrive.

Chloe has a background in third-sector service delivery and community-based youth work. Currently, she operates as a freelance professional, collaborating with youth services to amplify youth voice through tailored support programmes and the implementation of youth participation initiatives. Chloe also provides consultancy and facilitation for youth focused organisations, and works part-time with The Island, a youth charity working to improve children’s quality of life through mentoring in York.

Janet has spent over forty years working in Health and Social Care in various roles. At the time of retiring Janet was Head of Service Commissioning for people under 65 with particular responsibilities for adults with learning disabilities and those with mental health needs.Janet joined Healthwatch York as a volunteer and is now the Chair.

Kallum is the Executive Officer at York Neighbours; a charity working to reduce loneliness, tackle isolation, and prolong independence for older people in our city.  Since moving to York for University in 2009 Kallum has enjoyed roles across health, housing, homelessness, and higher education.  He also serves his community of Holgate Ward as an elected Councillor.  Kallum is passionate about community organising, the power of volunteering, and finding tangible ways to improve how society works for our most vulnerable.

Katy is the CEO of Community Furniture Stores, an anti-poverty charity in York, Scarborough and Selby that fights furniture and digital poverty in North Yorkshire. She moved up to York in 2023 after a number of years working in London running a homelessness charity. She is an advocate for social justice and believer in the power of community to address local need.