YMCA Thames Gateway Group (YMCA TGG) has announced the appointment of Matthew Jones as its new Chief Executive Officer. Matt will replace Dave Ball, who announced his intention to retirement in July, following more than 30 years of commitment to the charity.
Matt, who has been appointed to lead the Christian organisation through its many opportunities and challenges, is currently CEO at Guideposts Trust.
Matt brings 25-years of experience with him, gained through roles in the charity, private and public sectors, covering housing, social care, mental health and child, adolescent and adult care.
One of Matt’s passions is getting the best out of people, and he has won awards for his work around creating high performing teams. Matt is committed to showing and encouraging strong leadership, and has developed a more diverse leadership team whilst at Guideposts Trust, appointing Trustees with lived experience and developing client-led services.
Of his new appointment, Matt says:
“I am humbled to be given the opportunity to work with such a talented and committed bunch of people at YMCA TGG. I have been very impressed by everybody I’ve met, and by the dedication and sense of belonging. One staff member summed it up by telling me she’d worked in Primark for 18 years and wishes she’d come to work at YMCA sooner! I can’t wait to join the team in March and am very grateful to Dave and his team for the support during the transition – his experience and knowledge gleaned over so many years of service is gold dust.”
Mark Saunders, Chair of the YMCA TGG Board, said:
“In the last few years, rapid growth has seen the turnover at YMCA Thames Gateway Group increase from £3.5 million to £10 million thanks to a much-needed new housing development in Romford, providing affordable move-on accommodation to residents; a merger with YMCA West Kent and The Bridge Trust charities; and the launch of a new housing scheme in Brentwood.
“We have some key challenges ahead including redeveloping our Romford site and continuing to refine our business model in order to ensure financial sustainability in a challenging economic environment. We’re delighted to welcome Matt into the YMCA family and I am excited about seeing how things develop.
“That said, the Board of Trustees are profoundly grateful to Dave for his many years of exceptional service and dedicated, inspirational leadership, through which YMCA Thames Gateway Group and the people who are part of it have flourished and grown in extraordinary ways.”