Our people
Our people
We have a talented and driven team who do everything from working with young people and developing impactful programmes to marketing, fundraising and finance.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester
His Royal Highness succeeded his father as Duke of Gloucester in June 1974 and has been our Patron for many years. He has a wide set of charitable interests, many of which benefit young people.
As a qualified architect, HRH The Duke of Gloucester takes a keen interest in the work of the Trust and frequently visits our projects where he can meet young people taking part in Construction Youth Trust’s many projects.
Our Trustees
Edward is the Chairman of Sir Robert McAlpine and an Executive Partner in the Family business. He joined in 2000 having graduated from the University of Reading with a BSc Hons in Construction Management and Engineering. He is incredibly proud to be a Trustee of the Construction Youth Trust, a role which he took on in 2017.
Hamza is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. With over 13 years’ experience working in external audit, he spent the last 12 years with KPMG (Nigeria and UK), moving to a management role within the audit division in 2016.
Hamza currently works as an Audit Quality Inspector with the UK’s Financial Reporting Council.
Mathew has worked in the construction industry for over 35 years, He is the group CEO and owner of Echelon Consultancy Group, a leading asset management and procurement consultancy working primarily in the public and private housing sectors. He also owns Pretium Frameworks Limited, a framework management company that is supporting numerous procurement hubs across the UK. Mathew is passionate about encouraging the next generation to choose a career in construction.
Mathew is also a Trustee for Herts Young Homeless.
Manon is the Development Director of the Major Projects Association, working to improve the initiation and delivery of major projects. She established the Association’s Equality and Diversity initiative which has engaged with a very male-dominated group of business leaders and enabled them to take ownership of their own responses.
Manon is passionate about working to see greater diversity at every level within construction, infrastructure and major projects delivery.
Victoria is a Chartered Surveyor and Managing Director at Perfect Circle, a property, construction and infrastructure consultancy. She has a deep understanding of the fiscal challenges in the public sector and the opportunities that can be created to secure value-for-money and social impact.
Victoria is committed to inspiring the next generation, particularly women, into the construction and infrastructure industry. As a judge for a number of industry awards she is able to showcase CYT’s work in social mobility across the industry.
Having started her career as a Quantity Surveyor, Katy is now President and CEO at leading development and construction business Skanska UK. She was the 2013 Women in the City Woman of Achievement and 2015 BIFM Leader of the Year.
Katy is passionate about equality, diversity, inclusion and building for a better society.
Assad is a solicitor specialising in Projects and Construction and a partner at the specialist real estate law firm, Trowers and Hamlins. He negotiates and drafts building and engineering contracts and development agreements for commercial clients and public sector bodies.
Assad has particular experience of advising on education sector projects and integrating employment, skills, and social value requirements into construction project and asset management procurements.
Patricia sits on the Turner & Townsend Executive Committee and is the organisation’s UK Managing Director. A Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, she has an MSc in Construction Law and Arbitration and a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors.
Patricia is passionate about driving social mobility and drives Turner & Townsend’s corporate responsibility agenda in the UK and the Diversity & Inclusion agenda globally. The work with CYT is at the heart of that.
Anthony has over 20 years’ Local Authority Building Control experience. As a Fellow member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers, mentoring the younger generation from a diverse range of backgrounds into the built environment is a cause close to his heart.
Anthony’s roles as President of both the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) and the London District Surveyors Association (LDSA) have enabled him to fundraise in aid of CYT.
Holly started her career in demolition and became Europe’s only female explosives engineer. She later moved to Keltbray as Training and Development Director, taking the lead on Social Value delivery for the next 15 years. In early 2022 she was appointed Group Sustainability Director, responsible for environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Holly actively promotes the need to widen the talent pool by embracing diversity in the industry, and she tirelessly campaigns for continuous improvement of industry standards.
As Operations Director for AECOM’s Transportation Business Manjinder (Jin) is sector agnostic and works across all Transportation end markets of Road, Rail, Aviation and Ports.
A Chartered Civil Engineer, Jin is passionate about supporting and mentoring our future generations. As Business Sponsor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at AECOM, he is committed to making a real difference by helping the future talent for our industry to feel empowered and inspired to grow.
Since 2017, Russell Taylor has been the Head Teacher at Robert Clack School in Dagenham, which he had formerly attended as a pupil. He gained a first-class degree in economics at Queen Mary and trained as a teacher at the Institute of Education. He joined the Robert Clack staff in 2002 with the intention of making a difference to the lives of the young people in the borough where he grew up.
Chief Executive Officer
Having started out working life as a Civil Engineer herself, Carol is deeply committed to the Trust’s mission of helping more young people access the fantastic opportunities construction has to offer, particularly young people facing significant barriers into work and those groups who have traditionally been under-represented in the industry. Carol sees her role as Chief Executive as holding on to the ‘big picture’ while keeping a constant eye on the detail of day-to-day delivery.
Carol’s favourite building is the London Aquatics Centre.
Central Resources
Charlotte is passionate about raising aspirations and supporting young people to recognise and have confidence in their own unique skills and abilities. She is proud to work in an organisation with a dedicated focus on supporting young people to make successful transitions into working life.
Charlotte’s favourite building is Dalemain Estate, Cumbria.
Conor joined the trust after completing a degree in Chemistry at the University of Nottingham. He had previously worked as a CAD technician at a small engineering firm, and he now helps us quantify the effect we have on the young people that we interact with.
Conor’s favourite building is Harlech Castle, Wales.
Asha joined Construction Youth Trust after finishing her undergraduate degree and completing a short internship with a smaller charity. She is excited to use this experience to contribute the invaluable work the trust does to help young people access education, employment training.
Asha’s favourite building is Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal.
Morgan graduated from the University of Birmingham with an MA in International Security and a BA in Political Science and International Relations. After finishing university, she spent several months travelling. Morgan is passionate about CYT’s mission to help young people access opportunities and reach their full potential.
Morgan’s favourite building is the Sydney Opera House.
In her previous roles, Emily has worked both in the construction industry, for an office design and fitout company, and with children and young people in a variety of different settings. She finds it very rewarding knowing her work is ultimately helping and supporting young people and making a difference in their lives.
Emily’s favourite building is The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy.
Before joining the Trust, Mark worked for Haringey Mencap from 2005, where he campaigned and advocated for adults with learning disabilities for over 10 years. Upon leaving, Mark became a Trustee.
Mark joined CYT in 2016 and undertakes HR, Safeguarding and Governance support, Manages the Trust’s payroll, staff training and multiple financial functions including leading on the Trust’s annual audit and Companies House and Charity Commission obligations.
Mark’s favourite buildings are Anfield, Liverpool and Český Krumlov Castle, Czech Republic.
Crystal has always had a passion for mitigating social inequalities in the world. While studying Politics and International Relations at university, Crystal developed her understanding of how important education is for helping people out of poverty and became particularly interested in social mobility in the UK after volunteering for various youth charities in London. She hopes to continue fulfilling her passion through her work at the Trust.
Crystal’s favourite building is the Cape Coast Castle, Ghana.
Rokas graduated with a BA in Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge. CYT’s mission to help break social barriers and have a part in promoting social mobility resonates deeply with him. Having previously been a mentor helping students with university applications, he hopes to continue having a positive impact with the youth work he does at CYT.
Rokas’ favourite building is The Inside-Out Building, London.
Hamzah joined Construction Youth Trust shortly after completing a BSc in Software Engineering at the University of Leicester. Through his volunteering and mentoring experiences with teenagers, he discovered a passion of helping young people to strive for success. He is eager to build upon his experience, by quantifying and displaying the impact we have on young people.
Hamzah’s favourite building is the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.
Delivery Team
Timothy has been dedicated to the Royal Air Force Air Cadets since she was 14 years old. Now as a member of staff, she volunteers her time and expertise to help young people achieve their aspirations within the organisation. She joined the trust shortly after graduating with a BA in Digital Film Production from Ravensbourne University London. Through her volunteering expeditions abroad to Ghana and Costa Rica, she hopes to continue to support individuals in overcoming barriers and reaching their full potential.
Timothy’s favorite building is the Cambridge Central Mosque in England, United Kingdom.
Misha has a wide range of experience from previously working in the Property & Operations sector. Driven by the ultimate goal of fostering youth potential , Misha believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed and is eager to contribute to this. Misha is dedicated to helping young people achieve their career goals and unlock their potential.
Misha’s favourite building is the Angkor wat in Cambodia.
Naomi discovered her passion for directly improving the lives of children and young people through volunteering with local youth groups and schools. After pursuing this interest through completing a Masters degree in Childhood Studies from the University of Leeds, Naomi joins the trust with the hope to inspire and motivate young people overcome social barriers and explore employment in the construction and built environment sector.
Favourite Building: Mont Orgueil Castle, Jersey.
Esmee first joined CYT during her year in industry and is now returning after graduating from the University of Bath with a degree in International Development with Economics. During her internship at CYT, she developed a strong passion for empowering young people to succeed. Esmee is excited to use her skills and enthusiasm to support young people as they transition into the professional world.
Esmee’s favourite building is the Alcazaba in Malaga.
Louis joined Construction Youth Trust after achieving a BA in Politics and International Relations at Swansea University, including a year abroad in Hong Kong. Through his experience of Outdoor Activity coaching in Cornwall and work with the RNLI and SLSGB, he discovered a passion of helping young people to strive for success and achieve goals they thought were unattainable. With CYT, he hopes to increase the impact we have on young people.
Louis’ favourite building is the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
Paige joins us with a joint honour degree from the University of Nottingham in American and Canadian Studies with English, where she spent time volunteering with young people. Following this, she spent time working with SEN children and children from a more disadvantaged background. This solidified her understanding of how important it is to help breakdown barriers not only in education but also within the working world.
Paige’s favourite building is Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona.
Jess is joining the Trust with over 10 years’ experience working in Education, predominantly primary education as a music subject lead & coordinator, these interactions were with children ranging from infants up to late youth. Jess has a wealth of experience with SEN & SEMH young people and has also worked in a quality assurance capacity with vulnerable adults & families. Jess is looking forward to supporting young people and providing pathways to a better future in Education, Training and Employment.
Jess’ favourite building is Burj Khalifa, Dubai.
William joined the Trust after completing an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at Durham University. He is motivated to help support and inspire young people in order to raise their aspirations and aid in their successful transition into working life within the construction and built environment sector.
William’s favourite building is the Villa Ephrussi, France.
Pearl is an experienced teacher who has previously worked in the FE sector delivering construction courses and apprenticeship frameworks. Pearl is passionate about raising young people’s aspirations and awareness of careers within the construction industry.
Pearl’s favourite building is Battersea Power Station, London.
Taschan has over 10 year’s experience working in the Education, Training and Employment sector and specialises in supporting young people from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds with career pathways. She creates new partnership programmes to address diversifying the workforce in corporate industries and to address equality of opportunity.
Favourite Building: Hibbert House in Jamaica
Michelle joined the Trust with a breadth of experience working with young people in schools, volunteering and working in the charity sector. With a BA (Hons) in Education from Brighton University, she is passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people. Michelle is looking forward to helping young people discover more about the construction world.
Michelle’s favourite building is Buckingham Palace, London.
Amy has a wide range of experience from previously working as Caseworker for a working health programme and before this as a Youth Worker for 4 years. Both roles cemented her passion to help adults and young people overcome barriers to achieve their goals. Amy has a strong set of skills that enable her to support young people to discover the available opportunities open to them and develop the skills they need to succeed.
Amy’s favourite building is Chatsworth House, Bakewell, England.
Georgina joined the trust after working with SEN young people for a year. Previously to this, she completed an undergraduate degree in media and has experience as a voluntary youth worker for two years. She was eager to further a career working with young people within the charity sector, which led her to the trust. Georgina is eager to use her skills to help young people access the opportunities available to them and to help make the transition from school to adult life as smooth as possible.
Georgina’s favourite building is Casa Batllo in Barcelona, Spain.
Charlie came to the Trust after working alongside SEN young people in Southampton and Winchester. His position at the trust aligns with his own beliefs surrounding social mobility and the ethical responsibilities within the business sector. He looks forward to continuing to support young people to overcome barriers and fulfill their potential.
Charlie’s favourite building is Wells Cathedral, Somerset.
After completing her BA (Hons) in Multimedia Journalism, Beth realised that she wanted to use her transferable skills for a good cause. Having done work whilst at university with vulnerable teenagers, specifically within the LGBTQ+ community, she was attracted to the Trust’s goal of breaking down barriers for young people and helping prepare them for the future.
Beth’s favourite building is the Arco de Santa Catalina in Antigua, Guatemala.
Wendy brings a lifetime of experience working as a carpenter in the construction industry and teaching. Her passion is to inspire and inform the next generation whilst rejecting the misconception that the sector is for people lacking in academic aptitude.
Wendy’s favourite building is the Chrysler Building, New York.
After graduating with a BA in Education Studies at University College London, Priyanka volunteered for a local youth charity in Feltham. This ignited her passion to help underrepresented young people gain easier access to professional opportunities. She hopes to continue inspiring young people through her role at the Trust.
Priyanka’s favourite building is the Palace of Versailles, France.
Rowan discovered her interest for working within the non-profit sector through studying at Dublin City University, where she became passionate about various social issues. She was introduced to the Trust because of her interest in helping young people reach their full potential within the workforce. Rowan hopes to bring as much support as possible to young people around London.
Rowan’s favourite building is The Custom House government building in the heart of Dublin’s city centre.
Whilst studying for a MSc in Psychology at Middlesex University, Kasia worked in early years settings where she supported the learning and development of children with SEN. Moreover, as a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services volunteer she mentored young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. She was attracted to the Trust as she is passionate about working with young people to enable them to reach their full potential.
Kasia’s favourite building is The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland.
Priscilla joined the Trust after completing an undergraduate degree in History & Politics at the University of Warwick. She is passionate about widening access to opportunities for young people facing significant barriers, and enjoys being able to combine her enthusiasm for education, mentoring young people and working towards a valuable mission in her work.
Priscilla’s favourite building is Belem Tower, Portugal.
Benny graduated from the University of Bristol with a BSc in Politics and Philosphy. Since then, Benny has spent a year working as an English teacher in Madrid where he became passionate about supporting and empowering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. He is keen to help young people find careers in the construction and built environment industry that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Benny’s favourite building is the Torres Blancas in Madrid, Spain.
Naomi holds a BA from Coventry University and is an experienced teacher who has previously taught in schools in the UK and abroad. She brings valuable experience to the team and is absolutely passionate about education.
Naomi’s favourite building is Prague Castle, Czech Republic.
Katie arrived at the Trust enthusiastic to help young people find their passion and achieve their full potential within the construction and built environment industry. She joined the Trust after completing a history degree at UCL, bringing an eye for questioning and learning new things with her. Throughout her degree, she volunteered with vulnerable young people and her enjoyment and interest in facilitating their access to meaningful careers inspired her to pursue a career in the sector.
Katie’s favourite building is the Art of Tea café in Manchester.
Partnerships
Tommy is passionate about breaking down barriers and widening access to opportunities. He believes Construction Youth Trust has the capacity to kickstart careers and transform young people’s lives by supporting them to access meaningful opportunities in the construction and built environment.
Tommy’s favourite building is the National Theatre, London.
Emma joined the Trust after completing her an MA in Human Rights at University College London. She is passionate about promoting access to education and equal opportunities for all.
Emma’s favourite building is the Vancouver Convention Centre in British Columbia, Canada.
Sarah started her career as a civil engineer and thoroughly enjoyed her years working in the construction industry. She later moved into marketing, market research and PR, and is now delighted to be able to combine her work experiences to help young people access inspiring career opportunities that will enhance their futures.
Sarah’s favourite building is Copenhill power plant, Denmark.
Aleksandra has joined the Trust after completing her MA at King’s College London in 2021. She strongly believes in Construction Youth Trust’s mission of breaking down the barriers faced by young people on their path to employment, and is excited to help make a difference in young people’s lives through her work at the Trust.
Aleksandra’s favourite building is The Fenchurch Building at 20 Fenchurch Street, London.
With experience working in the charity sector and youth work, Freya was drawn in by the Trust’s mission of helping young people overcome barriers they face to reach employment. She is looking forward to populating the incredible work the charity does through her role in the Marketing and Communications team.
Freya’s favourite building is The Globe Theatre, London.
Ben joined the Trust after completing an English degree at the University of Kent. Having volunteered at a local library from a young age, he has always wanted to use his written skills to make a difference to people’s lives. He was instantly attracted to the Trust’s mission to help young people reach their full potential, no matter what barriers they face.
Ben’s favourite building is Canterbury Cathedral, Kent.
Ellie studied Education with Psychology at the University of Bath where she developed an interest working with young people. During her placement year, she worked for an educational charity and a school which influenced her desire to go into youth work. She is looking forward to helping young people reach their full potential and tackle social mobility through working at the Trust.
Ellie’s favourite building is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy.