National charity Youth Music has added new trustees to its board. The new group brings a range of skills and experience, and will help the organisation address a funding shortfall that has hit grassroots music projects hard.
The new recruits will raise the profile of Youth Music and secure crucial partnerships and income from the wider creative industries to support the organisation’s mission ‘to equalise young people’s access to making, learning and earning in music’. The charity has recently had to turn down 77% of funding applications, equivalent to £44m in grant-aid.
The competitive recruitment process saw (top row, left to right) Andrew Lansley, Bre McDermott-King, Paul Bonham and (bottom row, left to right) Berkeley Edwards, Hanna Chalmers and Sarah Brown appointed. They bring expertise in innovation, law, marketing, research, mental health, diversity and inclusion, and public funding to the board.
The six join Youth Music’s existing board of trustees under Chair of the board YolanDa Brown OBE DL, the award-winning musician and broadcaster.
YolanDa Brown said, ‘Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most passionate and creative individuals as trustees at Youth Music. It has been inspiring to witness their continued commitment to the cause even after their time on the board ends.
‘The overwhelming response to our search for new trustees was heartening, and I am thrilled to announce the appointment of our new trustees at a pivotal time for young people’s music and creativity. Their unique experiences and perspectives will be invaluable as we work towards reducing inequality in access to music-making and education.’
