Legacy Youth Zone, a youth charity based in Croydon, has announced the appointment of Myke Catterall as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Myke brings a wealth of youth work and leadership experience, as well as a strong passion for supporting young people, driven by his own personal experience as a young person in care, poverty, and homelessness.
This appointment is a significant milestone for Legacy Youth Zone, as the organization recently celebrated its 5th anniversary and launched its new ambitious strategy, “Our Lasting Legacy.” This strategy aims to provide thousands of young people in Croydon with the opportunity to reach their full potential through positive activities and inspirational youth workers, within a safe and inclusive environment.
Myke has been a part of Legacy Youth Zone since its inception in May 2019, initially joining as the Business and People Manager, and later transitioning into the role of Head of Youth Work and Safeguarding Lead. In his previous roles, Myke played a crucial role in creating a safe and inclusive space for young people and strengthening the organization’s strategic partnerships. As Deputy CEO and most recently as Chief Operating Officer, Myke has been instrumental in the day-to-day operations of Legacy Youth Zone, ensuring it remains a trusted and vital resource for young people in Croydon.
In his new role as CEO, Myke is determined to build on this strong foundation and expand the organization’s reach, continuing to provide transformative opportunities for young people. He is committed to leading Legacy Youth Zone into its next phase of growth as it works towards its strategic goals.
In a statement, Myke said, “I know firsthand how crucial safe spaces and trusted youth workers are to young people – having been mentored and supported myself as a young person from homelessness into positive pathways by people who saw potential in me. I’m thrilled to now be in a position to offer the same opportunities to young people. It is an honour to step into the role of CEO at Legacy Youth Zone. Over the past five years, we have had an incredible impact on the lives of young people in Croydon and surrounding areas – and my promise to the young people of Croydon is that we will always be there for them. I’m excited to lead our dedicated team in creating even greater opportunities and ensuring that every young person in Croydon has the support and resources they need to achieve their potential.”
In addition to Myke’s appointment, Legacy Youth Zone has also announced the appointment of Simon Culpeper as its new Chair. Commenting on Myke’s appointment, Simon said, “Myke has been a driving force behind the success of Legacy Youth Zone, demonstrating a deep understanding of our mission and the needs of the young people we serve. As a board, we have full confidence in Myke’s leadership and vision. We are thrilled to see him take the helm as CEO and lead the organization into an exciting future.”
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