British Youth Council: New CEO for BYC

British Youth Council logo for press releases

Thursday, 17, Jan 2008 12:00

The British Youth Council (BYC) is delighted to announce the appointment of James Cathcart as Chief Executive Officer.

James comes to the BYC from The Prince’s Trust where, for nearly ten years, he held a number of policy and programme development briefs. He has specialised in developing work with young people from care, young offenders, educational underachievers and the young unemployed. In particular he has championed the use of mentoring in the development and empowerment of young people, most notably for care leavers. His most recent piece of work has been on secondment to Centrepoint where he worked to promote opportunities for homeless young people.

James has a long history of working in the children’s and young peoples’ sector starting as a full-time volunteer youth worker and subsequently working in the fields of residential care, juvenile justice, and leaving care. He has worked for the National Children’s Bureau and Community Service Volunteers.

He is particularly passionate about youth empowerment and giving young people a voice on issues they believe in.

Speaking following his appointment, Mr. Cathcart said, “I am delighted to join BYC in the year it is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

This will be an exciting and important year for BYC when we will continue our work in helping young people to have their say and campaigning on issues that matter to them, such as education, equal national minimum wage, votes at 16, and climate change.”

BYC Chair, Emily Beardsmore added, “BYC is thrilled that James has joined us in our 60th Birthday year, this is a year where we need to have a strong strategic direction and continue to grow as an organization, I know that James is the best person to lead BYC through this so that we can reach our aims of empowering young people in the UK.”

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact:

Helen Deakin

Policy Officer

British Youth Council

0207 022 1974

Helen.Deakin@byc.org.uk

www.byc.org.uk

BYC is the national youth council and voice for young people under 26 living in the UK. We represent and involve a unique coalition of young people through their involvement as individuals or through national, regional or local youth organisations.

BYC’s coalition includes over 170 national youth organisations such as Girlguiding UK, campaigning organisations such as the National Union of Students (NUS) and youth wings of trade unions, political parties, faith and arts organisations. Also within our membership and network are 400 local youth councils and organisations representing specific groups such as lesbian, gay and bisexual and black and minority ethnic young people.

BYC works to ensure that young people are involved at every level of decision-making to allow them to be represented and to make their voices heard.

We aim to do four things: Provide a voice for young people; Promote equality for young people; Help young people be more involved in decisions that affect their lives; Advance young people’s participation in society and civil life.

In order to arrange an interview for a more detailed profile of James please contact Helen Deakin on 020 7022 1974 or email press@byc.org.uk.