Our Trustees
Rt Revd Richard Atkinson OBE
Chair
What is your background?
A lifetime of ordained ministry in the Church of England, including extensive community engagement. Bishop of Bedford since 20212.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
The combination of a commitment to social justice, especially for the young; the enthusiasm and vision of the One YMCA team; and commitment to Christian ethos and values.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
To further its mission and impact as a charity that provides transformative and quality responses for those we serve. To change lives and life opportunities.
What are your personal interests?
Interests include cooking and offering hospitality, walking, listening to the Archers and anything involving the family.
Richard Capaldi
Treasurer, Chair of Resources Committee, member of Audit and Risk Committee and Property Development Committee
What is your background?
I worked in Finance for various FMCG companies in the UK and overseas, including Diageo, Glanbia, Premier Foods, Hovis and for the last 6 years as CFO of Flamingo, a private equity owned Flower producer. I retired in December 2020.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
After retirement, I wanted to be able to share my finance skills and experience with the charity sector, work with an organisation that was committed to delivering excellent service to people in need, and which was also committed to its founding christian principles.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
That our planned expansion as part of Mission 25 enables us to reach out to more people who would benefit from our help.
What are your personal interests?
Since retiring, I have been trying to improve my golf and I also enjoy badminton, skiing and holidays. I am married, we have 2 children in their twenties, and for the last 10 years I have been the treasurer of Christchurch Redbourn, our local church.
Jane Cotton
Member of the Governance & People Committee
Jane has served as a Trustee since 2017
What is your background?
Former HR Director of Oxfam; now a range of trustee and volunteering roles.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
The role of our hostels in supporting vulnerable people is key for me, and I enjoy volunteering with the residents and staff at the High Wycombe hostel.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
The charity’s ambition to double its impact by 2025 is so exciting and encouraging.
What are your personal interests?
I’m a Christian worshipping at St Mary’s Princes Risborough; I enjoy travel, walking, gardening and the great outdoors.
John Ball
Chair of Audit & Risk and Member of Property Development Committee
John has served as Trustee since November 2016
What is your background?
I’ve worked in the rail industry, the charity sector, and am now the CEO of the Church of England Pensions Board, a leading ethical pension fund and housing provider.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
I love the enthusiasm of the One YMCA staff and trustee team and their passion for those we serve.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
In the last year One YMCA has shown that street homelessness does not have to be a fact of life, and even a pandemic can’t stop work with children, young people and families. I want to see One YMCA double its impact… and more…
What are your personal interests?
I am an armchair sports fan, very occasional cricketer, and used to be able to sing.
Sarah Chaudhry
Chair of Property Development Committee and a Trustee on One YMCA Board
What is your background?
I am a Management Consultant, a Chartered Surveyor, and a Fellow of the Royal Institution.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
That its values are driven by faith, I often cite what I have learnt from One YMCA and the importance of purposeful life, it does very good work, and I am a proud Trustee. As a Real Estate and Built Environment specialist, I applied to Chair the Charities Development Committee and was delighted to be appointed, resulting in me becoming Trustee.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
To achieve One YMCA’s ambition to double its impact and grow in a way that serves people today and future generations, it has some very powerful examples of how its work helps the most vulnerable in society; it is meaningful.
What are your personal interests?
I like purposeful work; I recently found the AMS Initiative, which aims to “pave the way for more inclusive real estate and built environment professions while building awareness of our work in communities,” and its slogan, “We all count.” If something triggers my interest and I am passionate about it, I will work day and night, I feel passionate about this.
Sal Thirlway
Chair of Early Childhood Partnership (ECP)
Sal has served as a Trustee since 2018
What is your background?
My background is in Children’s Services, where I have held roles in a number of local authorities across Children’s Social Care and Education.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
My favourite aspect of One YMCA is the continual drive to go further and better for the children, young people and communities that we serve and support.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
To be the ‘go to’ charity in supporting positive outcomes that tackle family vulnerability, childhood development, and homelessness.
What are your personal interests?
I have interests in cooking and films. I am also learning a lot about home renovations at the moment so that is keeping me busy and entertained.
Simon Box
Member of Governance & People Committee
Simon has served as a Trustee since March 2018
What is your background?
International supply chain and operations executive; now enjoying life as a management consultant.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
The people – we have a wonderful team in One YMCA with a huge passion for all the people they serve.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
To double our impact in supporting local communities to belong, contribute and thrive.
What are your personal interests?
Running and listening to music
Nicola Grinstead
Chair of the Governance & People Committee
What is your background?
I joined the NHS as a management trainee in 2000 and have since fulfilled a series of senior leadership roles including Director of Operational Performance at Imperial College Healthcare, Deputy CEO at Great Ormond Street and now Managing Director for West London Children’s Healthcare.
I am passionate about supporting young people to fulfil their potential and served as a Trustee for Girlguiding (2005-2011) and the Deputy Chair (2011-14) and then Chair of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (2014-17). I chaired the National Commission of the England and Wales YMCA Federation 2019/20.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
One YMCA is there for people at their time of greatest need – often when there is no other support available – and every service is delivered with such care and compassion.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
In this time of growing need, to ensure we can grow our impact and be there to support our local communities.
What are your personal interests?
I love to travel, to visit new places and to volunteer.
John Robinson
Member of the Resources Committee, Audit & Risk Committee and Property Development Committee
What is your background?
After a career in finance, I have spent the last 14 years working for various charities, using my expertise to help those less fortunate than myself.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
My major passion in One YMCA is working with young people. I firmly believe that prevention is better than cure so we need to tackle the challenges people face in life at the earliest opportunity.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
My ambition for One YMCA is to help as many of the less fortunate members of society as possible within the constraints of the resources of the charity.
What are your personal interests?
My personal interests centre on the family, with 3 children and 7 grandchildren, my faith and keeping fit when circumstances allow by working out and playing badminton, tennis and walking.
Alan Victor
Member of Governance & People Committee and Property Development Committee
Alan has served as a Trustee since 2020
What is your background?
I am a retired IT executive in the automotive industry.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA? Or Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA?
To make a contribution to society by guiding the efforts and achievements of a caring, transformative and nurturing organisation.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA?
To grow sustainably, making progressively wider and deeper positive changes to the lives of it’s beneficiaries.
What are your personal interests?
Everything to do with nurturing my family from health and wellbeing to challenges and self-development through many and varied experiences, including as many trips and holidays as we can afford.
Georgia Elliott-Smith
Development Company Director
What is your background
I have worked as an engineer and sustainability consultant in the construction and property sector for 25 years. I am managing director of Element Four, a consultancy that supports developers and asset managers to make buildings more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.
What’s your favourite aspect of One YMCA
Creating buildings that are healthy and efficient, delivering long-term financial benefit to the organisation. Ultimately, we want to develop supportive and nurturing environments for residents and ensure One YMCA can use their resources effectively to help as many people as possible.
Why did you decide to join the board of trustees for One YMCA
I’m excited about the opportunity to use everything I have learned in the commercial sector to benefit the most vulnerable people in society. My experiences of developing efficient and healthy buildings can directly improve lives and help One YMCA use resources for the greatest positive impact.
What are your ambitions for One YMCA
To develop a portfolio of the best-performing buildings in the sector, delivering measurably beneficial outcomes for residents and the organisation. I want One YMCA to show everyone else how it’s done!
What are your personal interests
I am passionate about the environment and social justice. As an activist, I attend protests, speak at events, and participate in local and national campaigns to fight pollution and protect the most vulnerable in society. I love volunteering for charities and taking part in community events like litter-picking and giving talks at schools on protecting the environment.
