Become a Trustee at YMCA Derbyshire

Julian Smith is The Alternative Board’s (TAB) local facilitator and Coach for the Derby region and a Non-executive Director for the East Midlands. Julian began his career with the Coats Vyella Group, where he progressed through a series of management roles before becoming Managing Director at the age of 29. 15 years ago, Julian transitioned his career to focus on supporting SMEs and has since worked with more than 150 businesses across the region.

Julian has a passion for people and has committed to opportunities that give back to the East Midlands region. In addition to his professional work, Julian holds Non-Executive Board positions within two charities, including YMCA Derbyshire, where he serves as Chair of the Board. He has an extensive breadth of knowledge gained from working with large Corporate PLC’s, and his 35 years of experience includes significant leadership, commercial, general management, and overseas roles. Julian’s engaging style, leadership acumen, and ability to challenge the status quo have been well utilised in his role as a Trustee for YMCA Derbyshire.

Venerable Matthew Trick has been ordained in the Church in Wales and Church of England for 15 years serving local communities in South Wales, East Anglia, Hampshire and now Derbyshire. He is the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire working to service local churches, communities, and their leaders across that area. Prior to ordination, Matthew worked in business banking for Lloyds TSB in Wales.

Matthew has significant experience in school governance and has worked extensively to deliver high-quality work with regeneration partners in deprived communities. Matthew has been a trustee of two Almshouses Charities and currently is the Vice Chair and Treasurer of YMCA Derbyshire.

Karen Brierley started work at Boots and moved to other private architectural companies helping deliver their commercial projects whilst studying for her ONC and HNC in Building Studies. Karen joined Derby City Council architects as a Technician in 1991 working on public sector property and the refurbishment of the existing housing stock including defective properties under the Housing Act and the Decent Homes Programme. In 2007, she moved to the Housing team as a Development Officer working with the city’s Registered Providers, delivering a Housing PFI and the recommencement of LA’s being able to build new council houses.

Since then she has become the Principal Housing Development Manager and is responsible for the delivery of a large capital programme of new affordable homes as well as undertaking S106 negotiations, inputting into local and regional policies and working with Homes England to secure grant funding for affordable delivery in the city. Her extensive experience is well utilised at YMCA Derbyshire, where she serves as a Trustee and Chair of the Housing Committee.

Sue Bradley is a retired headteacher with a B.Ed (Hons) and NPQH. She led the Kingsmead School – a specialist school and pupil referral unit in Derby City – where she achieved a strong record of school improvement, turning a ‘special measures’ rated school to a ‘good’ Ofsted rating with ‘outstanding’ pupil behaviour.

Sue has had links to YMCA Derbyshire for many years through her work in education, and endeavours to use here skills to support the work we do. She has a range of experience relating to governance and education and also serves on the board at Derby College Group with responsibility as Safeguarding governor and Link Governor for Broomfield College; as Governor at Central and Ashgate Nursery School Federation and as Chair of Governors at Chaddesden Park Primary School. Sue is also a trustee of ‘WE CAN TOGETHER’ which is linked to the nursery federation. Sue is a Christian and actively involved in Trinity Methodist Church, Long Eaton in a Leadership and safeguarding role.

Kate Martin is the Deputy Principal at Derby College and leads academic and technical education, which includes designing and developing all areas of the curriculum. She leads four Colleges and the community provision as well as being accountable for the College’s Higher Education provision. Kate is Nominee for the enhanced skills judgement for Ofsted inspection ensuring DCG meets the priority skills needs locally and nationally.

Kate is a qualified teacher and has worked in secondary and further education. Prior to being appointed Deputy Principal, Kate was Head of the Joseph Wright Centre. She is a member of the DANCOP board; Director of the East Midlands IOT, a Trustee of Derbyshire YMCA and a Trustee of Derby Book Festival.

Kate has a BA hons, MA, PGCE and a post grad in leadership and management.

Andreea Tudor is the Regional Lead, West Midlands at Business in the Community, with over 10 years experience in ESG, managing employee volunteering programmes, charitable giving initiatives and multiple corporate partnerships. She also has experience in successful implementation of community investment programmes across urban and rural communities.

Since joining BITC in 2018, Andreea successfully delivered multiple employment programmes and partnerships to achieve multiple stakeholder targets as Employment Programme Manager for the West Midlands, before leading a dispersed team as well as several public and corporate sector contracts. Outside of work, Andreea enjoys travelling, the arts and walks with her family.

After 35 years in Local Government in various senior positions, Rachel took a career break in 2024 to focus on family and part time consultancy. Starting as a Housing specialist she has managed nearly every service area within the remit of local authority responsibility and has a passion for community empowerment and systems leadership.

She is Vice Chair of the Active Partners Trust covering Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and is an Associate with both APSE and Deloitte’s. Rachel’s strategic insight and extensive experience in Local Authorities has been well utilised in her current role as a trustee for YMCA Derbyshire.

Danielle Upton is a Partner in the Commercial Property team at the East Midlands law firm Smiths Partnership, where she advises clients from SMEs to charities across several sectors on a range of commercial property transactions. Danielle has also been shortlisted in the Rising Star Category of the British Legal Awards and received the ‘Commercial Lawyer of the Year 2025’ at the Derby and District Law Society awards.

Danielle is passionate about empowering young people and providing them with the tools they need to succeed. She joined the YMCA as a Trustee in 2024 having worked in the city for 10 years and recognising the role of YMCA in the Derby community, bringing her professional expertise to contribute to the delivery and growth of safe, supported housing for individuals and young people.

Professor Paul Ryan is an inspirational leader with a strong commitment to values based Catholic education, which puts learners and colleagues at the centre of decision making. Paul has extensive strategic, commercial and political expertise. His present role as CEO of the Mac has provided the opportunity to combine significant systems leadership experience, including in two Catholic Universities, with the ability to articulate a strong vision for the MAC – intent on enhancing the outcomes of all their pupils.

Paul has a passionate belief in the power of education to change individuals lives and position them for the future. Having left school at 16 to serve in the Royal Navy, the opportunity’s provided through education have had a transformative effect on his life. The development of an academic career from this non-traditional background has contributed to his commitment to lifelong learning and continuous improvement, and his skills and experience are well utilised on the YMCA Board and within the Lifelong Learning Committee.

Helen Smith is a retired headteacher who has led various schools in Sinfin and Chaddesdon. She was nominated as the Schools Representative on the Safeguarding Board and subsequently appointed Deputy Chair for the Education hub within the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Helen is passionate about inclusion and safeguarding, and believes in creating communities where everyone feels valued, safe, and included. She joined the YMCA with a strong commitment to supporting educational settings, particularly within Early Years settings, and fully embraces the YMCA ethos of creating inclusive and supportive communities where young people can learn and grow to help them realise their aspirations.

Originally a management trainee and a qualified Textile Technologist, Andrew joined a local Management Consultancy business at 25, where he learned extensive business skills, including performance benchmarking across numerous industry and service sectors. In 1999, he founded Fast React Systems, a software company providing product development, planning and scheduling systems, primarily to fashion industry suppliers (factories) Worldwide, but also including UK Brands such as Reiss, Next and Joules. As Managing Director, Andrew led the company through 20 years of solid growth. Fast React Systems employed 50 people in Derby and establishing a network of offices and subsidiary companies overseas with a similar number of people before being acquired by a UK FTSE 250 company in 2016.

An analytical and inquisitive person, Andrew also has a passion for ‘making a real difference’ and for helping people to grow and develop their potential. FRS made a real difference to the fashion industry, and to lives and careers, especially in developing countries overseas. The work that YMCA Derbyshire does has sparked Andrew’s passion once again. As a new Trustee and Board member, he looks forward to making a real difference to the forward journey of the Charity.

Kim is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser with extensive experience across practice, SME leadership, and international group finance. She is Chief Financial Officer for Vaillant Group UK Ltd UK & Ireland, leading financial strategy, governance, and performance for a global manufacturer in the heating industry.

Kim combines technical expertise with strategic leadership, having guided organisations through relocations, mergers, acquisitions, and periods of significant change. She also serves as a Regional Councillor for the CBI, advocating for industry, economic growth, and responsible business practice.

Kim joined the YMCA Board in December 2025 and supports the charity’s governance, financial sustainability, and community impact. Passionate about inclusion, youth development, and accessible opportunities, she is committed to helping ensure YMCA continues to provide safe spaces, supportive programmes, and pathways for young people to thrive. Her focus as a trustee is on good governance, long-term sustainability, and championing the voices of those the YMCA serves.