Sharon Davies – CEO
Sharon’s professional background is youthwork, latterly over the last 13 years in the charity sector. With strengths and skills covering negotiation, change management, culture and strategy, Sharon is an MBA qualified director with a strong track record in the planning and implementation of successful organisational change within not-for-profit organisations.
She is a qualified youth worker and experienced in the delivery of informal education in a range of settings, including detached and outdoor-based youth work. Sharon is passionate about equality of access to opportunity for young people, having benefitted first hand from opportunities that have made a huge difference to her own life. The importance of making such opportunities available to all, regardless of their starting point is an area of work that has been of keen personal interest for over 25 years.
Sharon is a graduate of Liverpool John Moore’s University and a postgraduate of Leicester University.
Russell Winnard – COO
Russell began his career as an accountant within the Lloyds insurance market before moving into education. His time teaching highlighted the need for all young people to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes beyond the traditional academic learning and prompted the decision to join the charitable sector supporting schools and other educational institutions to address this.
Having previously been Young Enterprise’s Director of Programmes and Services, Russell now drives the organisational strategy internally. He has contributed to a range of reviews into financial education and skills development within the UK, including the Lords Select Committee Report on Financial Inclusion, London Assembly Economic Committee, and conducted a series of Inquiries with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education for Young People.
Director of Corporate Partnerships
With a private sector background in finance and marketing, Anita now has nearly 15 years of experience leading high-performing development and fundraising teams in the charity sector. At Young Enterprise, Anita is responsible for developing relationships with key corporate partners to allow the charity to deliver high-quality services to young people.
Director of Development
Donna started her career as an accountant, first in practice and then in a corporate setting. Following a career break for children, she moved into the third sector and has over 18 years of experience building strong partnerships with supporters across corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations and individual philanthropy.
Head of Programmes & Services
Liz has extensive experience leading and supporting the Programmes and Services team. She has developed and delivered both targeted intervention projects and large scale national programmes designed to improve the financial capability of children and young people across England and Wales. She is a PRINCE2 qualified project manager with responsibility for ensuring all of the Young Enterprise programmes and services are delivered on time and within budget.
Head of Marketing and Communications
Mike leads Young Enterprise’s marketing and communications activities and oversees the charity’s public affairs and public relations work. He has worked in brand management, creative direction, and marketing communications for over ten years in the education and healthcare sectors. Before this, Mike was a creative, working with brands such as ITV, Channel 4, the FA and Carling.
Head of Impact and Insights
Andrew joined Young Enterprise in June 2021 and he is responsible for research, evaluation, policy and public affairs at the charity. He brings over 15 years’ experience of senior roles in economic and social research in private, public and charity settings, and he is a proud alumnus of Young Enterprise Company Programme.
Director of Finance and IT
Tim joined Young Enterprise in October 2015, and as Finance and IT Director, has responsibility for the charity’s finance and IT functions. He is a qualified chartered accountant having trained with Ernst & Young and has spent 25 years working in senior finance roles in the commercial and charity sectors. Tim is a graduate of Manchester University.
