Our team

Emily has held leadership roles across UK government, local government, higher education, media, and the not-for-profit sector. A recognised expert in strategic communications, her previous posts include the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, University of Sussex, and the City of London Corporation. She is also an experienced non-executive, serving on several boards, including as Chair of the Girls’ Learning Trust.

Helen Martin is responsible for overseeing the smooth running of the business service functions within Ygam, incorporating finance, governance, HR, IS, QA and legal. She is a Chartered Accountant and brings expertise and experience in financial management, governance and strategic risk management having worked for the last 25 years in senior leadership positions in the not-for-profit and sports sector, in both executive and board member roles. As well as spending time with her family, friends and cats, Helen enjoys going to music gigs, photography and archery.

Linda Scollins Smith: Executive Director of Programmes, Insight and Innovation, is responsible for programme delivery, resources and content as well as research, insights and data and impact management. She brings expertise and experience in Strategic Planning & Execution, Programme Leadership & Impact Measurement, Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships, as well as Staff Development & Cross-functional Leadership having previously worked in strategic roles in the third sector and education. Outside of work, Linda enjoys reading, travelling and walking.

Daniel has expertise in strategic communications, marketing, policy, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement, having held previous roles in politics, regional media, and regulation. He is a passionate champion of charities and the third sector and brings board level insight as Chair of Citizens Advice Solihull.

Caroline has 9 years experience working in quality assurance and assessment for a national awarding organisation. Previous experience includes working in the drug and alcohol and disability sectors. Caroline brings a wealth of experience working with vulnerable people of all ages, along with her quality assurance expertise.

Kevin joins Ygam with over 15 years HR experience, across a variety of sectors, including tech, hospitality, and within the third sector. Prior to joining Ygam, Kevin led HR Operations at ShelterBox for five years with overall responsibility for HR, L&D, Safeguarding, & Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion.

Claire is responsible for our Education programme in the North West of England, recruiting delegates and delivering workshops. She brings her education expertise and experience to the role, having spent her career as both a classroom teacher and in the wider education sector. Outside of work Claire enjoys taking part in community theatre and is a passionate supporter of her local non-league football team!  

Colette is a qualified Primary Teacher and has over 10 years of experience working with children and young people. Her experience includes being a teacher governor and a member of middle management within school; holding subject leadership roles in Computing and French.

Favill is responsible for championing early intervention, leading engaging preventative workshops for youth‑facing professionals across the southwest. She brings expertise and experience in education, having previously worked for 10 years as a primary school teacher bringing practical insight and real‑world understanding to her sessions. Outside of work, Favill enjoys exploring the outdoors with her dog, planning her next travel adventure, or unwinding through Pilates.

Leah is responsible for training and engagement on the Education programme within the East of England. She brings expertise and experience in youth work, safeguarding and supporting young people, having previously worked in further education and alternative provision. Outside of work, Leah enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Ryan delivers training across the Midlands, focusing on education settings and youth organisations. He brings experience in public speaking, social media, problem-solving, and youth development, having worked and volunteered primarily in the youth sector across large-scale programmes, including NCS. Outside of Ygam, Ryan is a Community Governor at Idsall School and Chair of West Mercian Wing RAF Air Cadets.

Zoe is a qualified primary teacher with 14 years of experience in the education sector. She has spent the last 7 years as a class teacher and is dedicated to supporting the education and well-being of children and young people. Outside of work, Zoe enjoys performing with her local adults acting company and going on walks with her dogs.

Andréa supports young people and communities to prevent and address gaming and gambling harms through her work on Ygam’s Community & Faith Leaders Programme. She draws on over 15 years’ experience in education, programme delivery, and stakeholder engagement across youth and community settings, alongside project management expertise. Outside of work, Andréa enjoys creating art, reading, and practising self care.

Thomas works on Ygam’s Community and Faith Leaders programme, supporting professionals to have confident conversations with children and young people. He brings over 10 years’ experience in the charity sector, with a background in addiction and homelessness, and draws on his lived experience of gambling harm. He co-chairs Ygam’s lived experience panels and shares his story through alumni sessions and podcasts. Outside of work, Thomas enjoys the outdoors, cycling, reading, and time with his two-year-old son.

Jack works on the Gaming & Esports programme and is responsible for delivering across all programmes as well as creating content for Gaming & Esports workshops and social media. He brings expertise and experience in gaming, content creation, and public speaking, having previously worked in Teaching and Sports Coaching. Outside of work, Jack enjoys gaming and supporting Middlesbrough FC.

JoAnn designs and delivers safeguarding-informed gaming and esports training and builds sector partnerships to support young people’s safe play. As Ygam’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, they oversee staff training, referrals, and safeguarding policies. They bring expertise and experience in safeguarding, teaching and learning and inclusion, having previously worked in education and youth work. Outside of work, JoAnn enjoys gaming, vintage restoration and pottery.

Rosie spent 4 years in the charity and development sector before qualifying as a primary school teacher in 2016, and has a special interest in SEND education and inclusion. In her spare time she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her 6 very needy rescue animals!

Jessica Parker is a Training & Engagement Manager within the University & Student Engagement team. Jessica has over 5 years' experience working within the charity sector with a key focus on mental health and safeguarding. She is of the belief that early intervention is the best form of prevention and works closely with university students and staff to raise awareness around the harms of gaming & gambling. With previous experience as a volunteer coordinator, Jessica brings expertise and experience to leading Ygams volunteer student ambassadors team. Outside of work she enjoys reading, walking her two cockapoos, and cinema trips.

Lois is responsible for training and delivery across Ygam’s Health and Social Care programmes. She brings expertise and experience in education, relationship management and communication, having previously worked in primary teaching. Outside of work, Lois enjoys glass fusion, swimming and being out in the fresh air.

Verity is responsible for training delivery and delegate engagement across Ygam’s Health and Social Care programmes. She brings experience in relationship management, training facilitation, fundraising, and digital marketing, having previously occupied a variety of roles in youth-focused charities across disability and Early Years sectors. Outside of work, Verity has a keen interest in indie games and volunteers for a local heritage museum.

Amy is responsible for our programmes in Scotland, recruiting delegates and delivering workshops across education and health and social care settings. She brings her education expertise and experience to the role, having spent her career as a classroom teacher. Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with family playing board games and walking her dog.

Shaun has several years’ experience working in the charity sector, both in and out of education. After many successful years at a leading school governor charity, Shaun relocated to Northern Ireland where he was delivering events throughout the country. He has stayed heavily involved in education and is the Co-Vice chair of trustees at an Independent School in England.

Lauren has previous experience in youth work after managing the National Citizen Service (NCS) Programme. Her experience includes co-ordinating community sport delivery, designing youth development programmes and leading on recruitment and engagement of young people. In her spare time, she enjoys playing football and badminton.

Ryan is responsible for engaging with stakeholders across all of our programmes. He brings expertise and experience in teaching and community project management, having previously worked within education and 3rd sector settings. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys his two dogs, gaming and needle felting.

Mike is responsible for supporting the programmes team with administrative duties and data reports. He has experience in employability and teaching, volunteers as the head trustee of a small charity, and serves as an elder at his local church. In his spare time, Mike loves cycling and walks in nature with his wife and daughter.

Amy Bussey is responsible for leading the Thought Leadership pillar and the Insight and Innovation Team. She brings expertise and experience in project management, bid writing, relationship building and stakeholder engagement, and education and research, having previously worked in education and training settings and higher education. Outside of work, Amy enjoys reading, crafts, exploring nature and spending time with family and friends.

Janine is responsible for research, evaluation and knowledge translation. She brings expertise and experience in research and evaluation design, data analysis, GIS and report writing, having previously worked at Newcastle University as an Associate Lecturer/Postgraduate Researcher and in education development for a national youth charity. Outside of work, Janine enjoys running, reading and spending time with her rescued greyhound Ava. 

Naomi is responsible for financial controls, management accounting and ensuring the effective delivery of ‘business as usual’ financial management. She brings expertise and experience in finance as an AAT Qualified Bookkeeper. Outside of work, Naomi enjoys camping with her children and baking.

Fiona is responsible for the day-to-day processing of financial transactions. She brings expertise and experience in finance support, having previously worked in Accounts teams in the construction and motor trade industries. Outside of work, Fiona enjoys walking with friends and baking.

Peter is Ygam's lawyer. In his role, he reviews and drafts contracts, advises on the protection of Ygam's intellectual property, advises on data protection law and supports with other compliance related matters. He is a qualified solicitor and, alongside working for Ygam, he works as an in-house lawyer for other organisations and sits as an independent panel member on a number of fostering panels and an adoption panel. Outside of work, Peter enjoys the going to the theatre, travelling and swimming.

Ann has spent many years as a senior manager in charities.  For the last 15 years Ann has worked as an Assessor for the Trusted Charity Quality Mark and more recently for NAVCA’s award for Local infrastructure organisations. When not working Ann likes to spend time with her family and her dog, Jake or can be found reading.