Our people

Leigh joined the NYA in 2017, having worked with young people for over twenty years. During that time, he’s been both a detached and open access youth worker, as well as working in schools and community settings. 

Leigh is a youth sector commissioning specialist and led the way in developing new models of delivery for youth work in local communities in Surrey. This included exploring social investment models and public sector mutual opportunities.

Leigh is both JNC qualified, holds a PGCE and has nearly finished his Masters in Public Administration. Leigh started working with young people when he was 15 and has a huge passion for experiential learning and development of young people – he particularly champions authentic youth voice and participation and quality assurance of youth work practice.

In 2024 Leigh was awarded an OBE for Services to young people.

As Director of Youth Work, Abbee McLatchie leads on the development of professional standards; training and development; the National Youth Work Curriculum; as well as quality and safeguarding frameworks.

Abbee has worked with young people through youth work since the 1990s in a range of environments from social care, to housing and homelessness services. She is particularly passionate about creating more access to identity and issue-based youth work that allows young people to use lived experiences to create social change for themselves and others.  

Harriet works to raise the profile of youth work and its vital impact on young people’s lives, leading the team across policy, influencing, communications and marketing activity. 

She has worked in integrated communications and public affairs in the charity sector for most of her career and is passionate about improving the life chances for disadvantaged young people. Drawing on her own experience as a secondary school teacher, she believes in the untapped potential of youth work to support positive outcomes for young people working alongside allied professionals.

As Chief Finance Officer Susan is responsible for overseeing the financial health and integrity of NYA. She also leads a team covering governance, digital & cyber security and growth (inc. income generation).

Susan is a CIMA qualified accountant with significant experience including senior roles with London Sport, Save the Children and Restless Development. She is passionate about empowering others and ensuring that her work adds tangible value to NYA to make a positive difference in young people’s lives.

Away from the office you are likely to find Susan either playing, watching or reading about sport!

As Chief Operating Officer, Esther oversees the day to day running of NYA ensuring that every aspect of our work furthers our mission to support and empower young people. Esther supports a number of our teams, including Programmes and Operations, Policy, Insight and Public Affairs, Youth Voice and HR.

Esther has twenty years of operations experience, both in the commercial and charitable sectors leading large, geographically diverse teams. Following an early career as a criminal defence solicitor, Esther continues to play a part in the justice sector as a Magistrate in her local area. Esther has also held a number of Trustee and Non-Executive Director roles.

Away from work, Esther pursues her interest in the heroic age of polar exploration through reading, seminars and travel.

Barry is a member of the leadership directorate and manages a talented team of professionals to deliver NYA’s national programmes and training. Barry oversees operational efficiency and performance, implementing infrastructure capabilities that enable staff to make the greatest impact possible for the youth sector, and ultimately young people.  

The driving force behind Barry’s career for over twenty years has been breaking the cycle of inequality faced by many young people. Since working at NYA Barry has been able to channel this passion by mobilising several of our prominent programmes including the Youth Investment Fund, the Safeguarding and Risk Management Hub and Routes to Community Success. Barry believes that talented people with aligned values can achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Matt joined the NYA in 2020 and leads the Growth Directorate. This includes the Knowledge Team, encompassing our research, analysis and data functions; and the Business Development team, which works to make the charity sustainable and build partnerships.

He has worked in the voluntary sector for nearly twenty years, and has a strong interest in supporting voluntary sector groups to be sustainable. Matt brings this experience and passion for the voluntary sector to his role in the NYA.