BRATHAY - Key Persons
Andy has had a long and successful career in financial services, working for, amongst others, Co-operative Insurance, Direct Line and, more recently, Ageas. He was CEO of Ageas UK for 7+ years.
In the summer of 2020, Andy stepped away from executive life to do other things. He is now a Non-Executive Director of life insurer Canada Life, and general insurance broker Atlanta (owner of Swinton, Carole Nash and Autonet) and is also currently studying at Oxford University for a Masters in Social Science of the Internet. As part of his studies, he is exploring interest areas of data ethics and social mobility.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Chairman of the Finance and Risk Committee
Beth is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years' experience working in large and complex organisations in both private and Higher Education sectors.
She is currently the Director of Finance at the University of Strathclyde, where she completed an MBA in 2020.
In her free time, she enjoys trail running and has completed two ultra marathons: one in the Lake District and one on the West Highland Way.
Job Titles:
- Community Development Worker
Chris is an experienced community development worker in the voluntary sector. Originally from Maine, USA, he spent 15 years working in community and regeneration roles across Yorkshire and Humber and currently Head of Strategic Commissioning at Bradford City Council.
David is a retired Chartered Surveyor who has specialised in urban regeneration for 30 years. From 2002 David was Director and Deputy Chief Executive of sustainable urban developer Igloo.
Upon retirement in 2022 David was retained as an advisor to Wirral Council's Birkenhead 2040 regeneration programme.
David co-founded Common Good in 2021 as a non-profit sharing best practice in design and development across the North of England. He is currently Trustee of The Quality of Life Foundation, Design Review Panelist at the NW Architecture Centre, a judge for the National Housing Design Awards, and Non-Exec Director of Design for Homes.
Job Titles:
- Head of Delivery ( Ambleside )
As Head of Delivery (Ambleside) I lead a talented team of consultants, offering world-class people development and purposeful coaching to a wide range of clients in the public, private and third sectors.
I believe that leadership is important - in every organisation - and its potential to positively affect our society, and the lives, and life chances, of the children and young people we serve is the reason I'm here at Brathay. It makes sense to work for an organisation dedicated to helping people improve those skills and develop their ability to do extraordinary things.
I've worked in learning for most of career, starting work in a FTSE100 distribution business where I eventually rose to be Head of Operational Training for 15, 000 people, before moving on to lead the learning function at the UKs largest independent electrical and mechanical contractor.
Purpose is important to me, so having the opportunity to use my skills and experience working for a social enterprise that impacts the lives of thousands of young people each year felt like the perfect match.
Ian was a member of the delivery team at Brathay in the late ‘80's. He moved onto a career focusing on leading major culture transformations for global organisations.
He was with Senn Delaney, a US based culture shaping firm and then, post acquisition, Heidrick & Struggles for 27 years. Ian was the Managing Partner for the EMEA consulting business and was then the Managing Partner for the APAC consulting business where he led, built and grew and the Asia Pacific business, based in Singapore.
Ian stepped down from Heidrick & Struggles in mid 2024 and now has portfolio roles, one of which he is particularly proud of, namely a Patron at Brathay.
Ian is known for enabling CEO's, senior leaders and executive teams to shape and transform their cultures, with a focus on purpose, growth mindset and vitality.
Job Titles:
- Head of Delivery ( Communities )
I joined the Brathay Team in January 2024. My role as Head of Delivery (Communities) combines my two greatest passions - the outdoors and making a genuine positive difference to the lives of children, young people and their families.
Working at Brathay as been a dream of mine since I had my own taster of the impact Brathay offers on a work placement here over 20 years ago. That time helped me choose my path to support and work with children and young people - particularly those who needed more support to enable them to access the opportunities to enable them to thrive - and benefitted me personally with increased self confidence and sense of self.
Since then, I have completed my Adventure Recreation degree and worked with children and young people in a wide range of settings, including schools, youth offending, Special Educational Needs and Disability and Early Help in the community, working for Local Authorities. I recognise the importance of truly listening and responding to the voices of children and young people to ensure that we provide the best opportunities for them and their families to thrive for their future.
I am delighted to be part of the Children and Young People's team and lead the passionate and talented team in the next phase of development for Brathay.
I have a great passion for the outdoors and have first hand experience of the benefits it can provide. Outside of work I enjoy Obstacle Racing, Swimming, Cycling, Kayaking and Walking. I volunteer as a Run Leader for a social group of runners in my local area and have 5 years ago set up junior parkrun in St Neots and have volunteered at a Co-Event Director there since. Giving up my Sunday lie-ins is testament to the value I put on providing opportunities for children to be in the outdoors, exercise and most of all enjoy themselves!
Jennie currently works for the Department for Education, as their English Hubs Delivery Lead. Prior to that she was a freelancer in NGO development as well as being a past Lead for Brathay's Children and Young People services.
Job Titles:
- CEO of a National Youth Charity, POWER2
Julie is currently the CEO of a national youth charity, POWER2. She has a lengthy career within the Charitable sector including work with the Sutton Trust, Save the Children, and the Refugee Council. Prior to that she had several years in the private sector.
"For almost eight decades Brathay has been working with young people, helping them build resilience and skills they can take with them into their future careers and lives.
One example is the delivery of the innovative Aspiring Leaders Programme by Brathay, University of Cumbria and partners, helping to enhance leadership through the development of higher-level skills in the third sector.
With our shared ambitions to support Cumbria now and for future generations, I'm proud to serve as patron of Brathay."
Joining Brathay as a Patron, Julie has other external roles include Sponsor of Barrow Education, Employment and Skills, Barrow Delivery Board; Vice Chair of Cumbria Economic Growth Board; Chair of the Carlisle Youth Zone; member representative for the Energy Coast University Technical College at Lillyhall; member of the Brilliant Barrow Board; and a governor of Sedbergh School.
Lucie is a Management Accountant with over 20 years' experience working within the property industry, initially in the private sector but most recently within Social Housing.
She is currently the Strategic Finance Manager at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group.
In her spare time, she is either enjoying the outdoors - walking, swimming, paddle-boarding, attending live music events and festivals or on the Yoga mat.
Marc is an educator and assessor working with stonemasons and in the heritage sector both within the UK and internationally.
He has developed training plans and qualifications for the UK, China and others developing new attitudes and standards.
Marc is also a Trustee of Saint Mary Redcliffe Church Lands Charity.
Marc has personal experience of Brathay's development
Nigel who lives in Ambleside recently retired from his role as Partner and Head of Infrastructure at Foresight Group PLC, who are sustainability led alternative asset manager.
He started his career in the waste management industry and spent 19 years within various operational and business development roles. At Foresight he gained a wide range of international, senior executive and board level experience through investing and managing, assets and businesses within the renewable energy and core infrastructure sectors.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Trustees
- Social Worker
- Managing Director of 3Dk Solutions
Paul is Managing Director of 3Dk Solutions. Paul is a qualified social worker, holds an MBA, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personal Development and sits on the Institute for Fiscal Studies Council.
He has been an Executive in two of the country's largest Housing Associations. He founded his talent development business in 2004 and he and his team coach CEOs, MDs, Executives and NEDs across many business sectors.
Sarah has been running the Ambleside-based international tour operator, Icicle Mountaineering, with her husband since they set it up in 2001.
They offer guided Alpine adventure holidays alongside a retail shop meaning that she now splits her time between the UK and France. She is involved in all aspects of the business, including logistics, accounts, and retail management, licencing, legal compliance and marketing.
A Geography graduate of UCL, she has previously worked as a recruitment consultant, a catering manager, a nightclub manager and a business development adviser and all-round trouble shooter for JD Wetherspoon. She is in fact a Fellow of the British Institute of Innkeeping!
Outside work, Sarah is an active outdoor enthusiast who offers her time as a Trustee of Friends of the Lake District and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. She is a qualified summer MTUK Mountain Leader & aspirant International Mountain Leader.
Job Titles:
- Head of Income Generation
I am delighted to lead the income generation and donor engagement activity that enables thousands of young people to access our services both in community and through adventures at Windermere.
I have worked both in sales and strategic marketing roles in the commercial sector, and in the charity sector leading fundraising and marketing for youth-centred organisations. In my last executive role, I helped to create the EY Foundation which supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into further education, training and employment.
Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2001 I have had a wealth of roles in both the public and private sectors, taking on my first charity Financial Director role in 2009. After 14 years in the education sector, I am excited to now be a part of Brathay's diverse range of activities.
In addition to my day job, I am also on the committee of the local Riding for the Disabled Group, and my local running club.
We deliver experiential residential programmes to young people from across the UK at our dedicated centre in the heart of the Lake District, in addition to working within community settings in Bradford and Cumbria. This blended approach of residentials and community-based programmes is unique to Brathay.
I am lucky to have witnessed, in abundance, the incredible impact charities have in making a real and lasting difference to people's lives. For 20+ years I have worked in the charitable sector. In my last CEO role I lead a Health and Social Care charity, which delivered across the North of England.