UK Youth’s Anna Smee to join Youth Futures Foundation as first CEO

UK Youth chief executive Anna Smee is set to leave the organization to join Youth Futures Foundation, a £90 million endowment, as its first CEO.

The foundation has been set up with the aim of removing the barriers preventing disadvantaged youths from getting jobs, with a particular focus on the ethic disparities in youth employment.

It was established in February 2019 in response to the government’s commitment to allocate £90m of dormant asset funding to youth opportunities.

Smee has been the CEO of UK Youth since 2014 and will remain in post until the end of the year.

Commenting on the announcement, Youth UK chair Anne Stoneham said: “Over the past five years, Anna has been an inspirational, passionate and enthusiastic leader of UK Youth and is incredibly well-respected throughout the youth sector. We will be very sad to see her go but are delighted at the successes she has achieved for the charity and wish her all the best in her new appointment.

“YFF are lucky to have Anna going forward. We are excited about this next chapter in the charities 108-year history, which will see a new, yet to be appointed, dynamic leader, taking the reins to continue to support young people across the UK.”

Smee added: “I am incredibly proud to be part of the UK Youth family and the five years I’ve spent with the charity have been some of the best of my life. It has been an honour to work with so many inspiring young people and dedicated youth workers and volunteers. I will be very sad to leave but know that I'm leaving UK Youth in the capable hands of a dynamic Board and exceptional leadership team.

“The sector needs UK Youth to remain a strong and passionate advocate for youth work and young people. I have no doubt the organisation will attract an exceptional CEO to take up the reins and build on the strong foundations already in place.”

Recruitment for the new CEO also launches today. Interested candidates can contact Borge Andreassen or Suzannah Fazackerley at Prospectus on 020 7691 1920, or email borge.andreassen@prospect-us.co.uk / Suzannah.Fazackerley@prospect-us.co.uk.