Meet our Board

Javier is an academic with 15 years of experience in Higher Education and social research. He is a former Camden resident and has been involved in the charity sector in the UK and Chile, mainly as a trustee in think tanks, primary schools, and colleges. He is a qualified lawyer in Chile, and has a PhD in Political Science. He is currently a Reader in Comparative Politics and the Deputy Head for Education at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Queen Mary University of London.

Brian started his working life as a Trainee Youth Worker in his native Yorkshire in the late 1990’s. By the age of 23 he had moved into management and at the age of 28 he was one of the youngest Heads of Young People’s Services in the country and the trajectory continued to his current post as Director of Adult Social Care at one of the largest Mind's in England. Brian has worked all his career in local & central government and the third sector. He is a very proud working class northerner and is committed to social action and empowering communities.

A senior finance leader with over 15 years of experience in leadership roles across global start-ups and scale-up companies.

Afrin has been with FYA for over 8 years working as a young ambassador, supporting a number of projects including peer education and events. She is passionate about getting involved with her local community and raising awareness for particularly mental health issues. She has an educational background in psychology completing an MSc in Cognitive and Clinical neuroscience. She currently works in the civil service in operational delivery.

Patricia has worked in fundraising for over fourteen years including Major Donor and Corporate Fundraising. Patricia is currently Head of Fundraising and Development at St Andrew’s Youth Club, in South Westminster . Patricia has also volunteered at various charities, including a disability charity in Peru.

Lorna has been a teacher for 24 years and was a senior leader and designated safeguarding lead for over 15 years at Haverstock School in Camden. She now divides her time between inclusion consultancy and leading training around safeguarding. Lorna is also an Education Programme Leader overseeing a 16 – 19 continuing Maths and English Programme for Fleet Tutors. Lorna was a school governor at a local primary school, St Dominic’s Catholic primary school and is now a local advisory board member at Whitehall Park School in Islington.

Mark has over twenty years’ experience in the financial industry. He worked in investment banking from 2000-2012. After that he co-founded an asset management company for which he currently sits on the board of directors. Since 2020 Mark has been an active volunteer with FYA, working at the Cumberland Youth Club and as a part of Regent’s Park Community Champions. He has a PhD in Astrophysics.

Natalie is a qualified solicitor of England & Wales and Australia, with over 18 years’ experience in leadership roles in commercial in-house teams, supporting businesses across EMEA, US and APAC regions. She has varied industry experience, mainly in tech, professional services and property. Currently, Natalie is Legal Director for global telecommunications start-up, Dense Air.

Rose specialises in SEND, autism and advocacy projects with girls and young women. Currently working as Head of Development at Caxton Youth Organisation, her focus is on fundraising, strategy and charity development. Previously a production coordinator for television documentaries, Rose then moved over to start working in youth clubs promoting the arts. She is passionate about working in the youth sector and empowering young people to achieve their potential.

Alice is a qualified youth worker and PhD student, specialising in youth participation (and was a former Youth Participation Officer at FYA!). She is currently working on an ESRC-funded national study on young people’s post-16 education transitions and researching youth participation in national policymaking. Prior to this Alice worked in youth policy for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, bringing young people’s voices into national policy making. Alice also volunteers at a youth club and Girlguiding unit.

Matthew Springett is co-founder and director of MATT+FIONA, an architecture education organisation which trusts and supports children and young people to create more inclusive and representative spaces and places.

He is a qualified architect and was a Senior Lecturer at the Bartlett, University College London for 26 years. He leads on connecting the pedagogical process and technical co-design to create innovative places and spaces with and for young people.

He is a lifelong Camden resident and has a long history of working in the Camden and Westminster. In 2024 Matthew lead MATT+FIONA’s collaboration with FYA, to design and build the radical new community play space, “Reflect”.

Emmanuella is a London-based mentor, educator, and creative whose work is guided by faith, compassion, and a desire to uplift young people.

Rooted in her Camden upbringing, she has been active as an FYA member for many years, supporting her community through peer mentoring and offering her voice at charity and community events, bringing encouragement and comfort through music.

As a Maths teacher and tutor, she nurtures confidence, curiosity, and calm, helping students up to sixteen grow in both skill and self-belief.

With a degree in Financial Mathematics and a love of continual learning, she remains dedicated to growing her gifts while inspiring those she has the privilege to guide.

Marya is a senior strategic leader specialising in health equity and community-focused social investment.



At Camden Council, she leads partnership development, including the Health Anchors Partnership, to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities. She also leads programmes with partners like Arsenal to expand opportunities for young people.

Marya previously served as a Managing Director leading the Centre for Civic Engagement and Government Partnerships at a government advisory firm, and also as MD at M&C Saatchi. Prior to this, she was a UK civil servant, where her work informed ministerial decision-making at the highest levels, including the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary. Earlier in her career, she worked internationally across public policy, strategic communications and research at Portland Communications, Chatham House and the United Nations Department for Political Affairs.

Pippa has 30 years’ experience of working in children's services within large organisations including Local Authorities, NHS, National Voluntary Sector and non-for profit.



Her work has spanned strategic commissioning, business development and transformation and operational functions across acute, inpatient and community services. She is currently the Deputy Director for North Central & East London Perinatal Provider Collaborative which is part of the NHS new models of care mechanism to ensure quality and put service user voices at the centre of everything they do.



A favourite time for her was at Camden Clinical Commissioning Group which gave her the opportunity to work innovatively with FYA to develop mental health and wellbeing services for young people to fill gaps in statutory provision.

Morette qualified as a solicitor at DAC Beachcroft in the City of London. She has more than 25 years’ experience in legal education and has trained many students and lawyers at different stages of their careers.



Morette is the Director of Business Development at the University of Law and advises leading law firms and employers on training and recruitment. She is particularly interested in fostering the talents of a diverse group of candidates. Morette has worked extensively with young people in her career, helping them achieve their ambitions and potential.



Morette grew up in Fitzrovia and remains a Camden resident.