Our senior leadership team brings together a wealth of experience from across the not-for-profit sector to enable inspirational, diverse young people to tackle educational inequality - and gain life changing opportunities.
Kevin is passionate about helping young people achieve their full potential and became the Chief Executive of City Year in September 2018. Prior to joining City Year UK, he was the founding Chief Executive of ThinkForward, a programme providing young people with long-term and intensive support to ensure they make a successful transition from school to work. ThinkForward was incubated in Impetus – The Private Equity Foundation and he previously worked with them as an Investment Director.
Before creating ThinkForward, Kevin worked in children’s services at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, where he was Deputy Head of Youth Services and then Head of 14-19 Education. Other roles have included as Deputy Chief Executive of the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services and with the national charities Community Matters and St. John Ambulance. He is a qualified youth worker and teacher, has an MBA from Ashridge Business School and is currently completing a Doctorate in Education.
In his spare time Kevin is a trustee of the Centre for Youth Impact, a director of the Catch 22 Multi Academies Trust and the volunteer National Youth Engagement Adviser for St. John Ambulance. He is a Clore Social Fellow, was named by The Guardian in 2008 as one of the ‘Future 500’ leaders in public life and by Striding Out in 2011 as one of the UK’s top 100 Social Entrepreneurs.
Who is your hero?
Martin Luther King, for his commitment to building a beloved community and to giving service to others. He believed in a community in which people of different backgrounds recognise that we are all interconnected, and that our individual well-being is inextricably linked to the well-being of others. He said: “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
"The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas", by Ursula K. Le Guin. I like fantasy stories and this one comes with a moral dilemma and asks us all what we would do when faced with a tough choice.
What is your best career advice?
“Build on what you are into”. Work takes up such a big portion of our lives, you ideally want to do something you love. Developing personal interests and skills, including through volunteering, can be a great way of getting into your first job or progressing in your career.
Craig joined City Year in October 2013 as Senior Operations and Finance Manager. He is responsible for the day-to day delivery and management of finance, HR, IT and Administrative services at the organisation. Craig moved to the UK in 2013 from Australia where he had worked extensively in the not-for-profit sector in business management and operations roles. His expertise includes operational and facilities management, project co-ordination, IT system support, cost control, and business transformation.
Craig has a long history of campaigning for equality across a wide area of interests including LGBTI and employment issues, and is highly enthusiastic about being able to contribute to the change that City Year is making to the lives of young adults. He has qualifications in Information Technology from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Who is your hero?
I have so many heroes, but the common theme for most of them is being brave in the fight for a just and equitable society for all. Malala Yousafzai for female education comes to mind, as does Australian High Court judge Michael Kirby for his work advancing human rights.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
"Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed" by Jared Diamond, and "First Break All The Rules" from Gallup - both books that expanded my thinking in new ways.
What is your best career advice?
Work hard, watch for the opportunities, and push yourself out of your comfort zones...and master Excel, it is your friend!
Chandni joined City Year in 2023 to lead on our income growth and diversification strategy. She has over 16 years of experience in the charity sector, having raised millions of pounds for a range of UK-based organisations in that time. Chandni has experience leading multidisciplinary teams across a range of income streams including trusts and foundations, corporate giving, major donors, individual giving and events. Her passion lies in tackling inequality, in all its forms, so that everyone, no matter their background has access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
Chandni also sits on the Trustee Board of her local hospice and is the Chair of the Fundraising and Growth Committee for Girls Friendly Society UK
Who is your hero?
My hero is my dad because no matter what life throws at him, he never gives up and always fights through with a smile on his face.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
“The Architect’s Handbook” because it made me realise that I was definitely pursuing the wrong university degree and career path, and led me to my true passion and purpose in life!
What is your best career advice?
Technically it’s not my advice but I live by the advice of some guy called John Lydgate who said “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.
