Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill
Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill became President of Oxfordshire Youth in 2007, when her father the 11th Duke of Marlborough stepped down from the post in favour of his daughter. Blenheim has been a supporter of our work for over 60 years since the 10th duke became President of the Oxfordshire Association of Boys Clubs as we were known in the 1960s. We are very fortunate to have Henrietta’s continued support and involvement.
Mike Watkinson MBE
Mike has made a tremendous contribution to Oxfordshire Youth. In 1974 he became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and remained in post for 30 years. He is responsible for many major achievements including: massively expanding our support to other youth organisations, The A Team and the Van Project which were innovative mobile projects bringing physical activities and information to young people in rural Oxfordshire, creating the Community Sports Leader Award and introducing mobile youth clubs using an adored double-decker bus! Since stepping down as CEO, Mike has been an invaluable source of support as a trustee, and at various times as a treasurer, helping to steer Oxfordshire Youth at board-level. He has given five decades of dedicated service and Oxfordshire Youth is proud to have him as its Vice President.
Jodie Lloyd-Jones
In my leadership I am committed to deep system change in order to break down barriers and better the lives of young people. I am extremely dedicated to and passionate about youth work, youth voice and equality. In addition to my role as Oxfordshire Youth’s CEO, I am also Vice-Chair of the Children’s Trust in Oxfordshire, Chair of the Children and Young People’s Forum, Co-chair of the Charity Leaders’ Forum and a member of the Thames Valley Police, Violence Reduction Unit strategy board.
I am a keen runner and have completed many challenges including a 100k ultra marathon. I have two children and love to travel and be outdoors as much as possible.
Emmy O’Shaughnessy
I combine my personal experience of the care system with two decades of work in the voluntary sector. My career has involved targeted youth work in care-homes, pupil referral units and with young women survivors of exploitation as well as community arts design for regional and national youth programmes, fundraising, and most recently being a charity CEO.
I love music, theatre, reading, creative writing, time with family, walking in nature, meditation and early morning kitchen discos with my two boys.
Catriona Venters
I am a seasoned finance professional with a pivotal role in financial planning and forecasting. My commitment lies in transparent and collaborative reporting to all stakeholders. My passion centres around robust cash management, recognising its critical role in efficiently utilising funds to control and strategically plan for the successful execution of OY’s business plan.
Outside of my work, I take immense delight in baking and manage a sweet treats and wedding cakes business with my daughter. I love exploring the countryside with my dog and trying my hand at D.I.Y projects to see what I can create – apart from a mess!
Natalie Petryszyn
I have 16 years voluntary sector experience in a variety of areas from sexual health, substance misuse and criminal justice, through to youth work, probation, prisons, homlessness and mental health. I am extremely driven, work well under pressure and love supporting others. I have over 10 years experience in operational management and take pride in supporting teams and services to make positive changes and deliver innovative projects and services.
In my spare time I enjoy visiting the gym, walking my two dogs Peggy and Olive and spending time with family and friends.
John May O.B.E.
I’m a campaigner, storyteller, writer, broadcaster, teacher, urban cyclist, occasional long-distance runner, habitual
chocolate cake eater and mischief-maker, and Chief Executive of the UK’s largest feline welfare charity, Cats Protection. I have spent my career supporting and leading voluntary, educational and charitable organisations in the United Kingdom and around the world. A strong supporter of Oxfordshire, I did my teacher training at Brookes, and have been involved with supporting young people in the county for more than thirty years. I became Chair of Oxfordshire Youth in 2023.
I believe in great youth work and the positive impact it can have on young people’s aspirations and achievements. I know that this happens by listening intently to the voice of young people, using their views of the world. We must be working with them in genuine partnership, treating them with respect, helping them develop stronger relationships and collective identities, respecting and valuing differences, and promoting equity and inclusion – all things that Oxfordshire Youth has done in the past and will continue to do.
Fiona Clarke
I was Managing Director of the Educational and Children’s Division of Oxford University Press and then Managing Director of Egmont Books UK. Later, after studying philosophy, I became a magistrate, and worked as a consultant for youth and enterprise charities. Having worked on curriculum development and qualifications for the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy which supports young people to gain qualifications while running their own businesses, I put my skill set to good use at WorldSkills UK, Next Gen Skills Academy and the Combined Cadet Force Association. My hobbies include books, travel, tai chi, and my grandchildren.
Izzy Dharmasiri
I am currently studying Political Science and International Relations at the University of Birmingham.
A passionate believer in the power of youth voice, I bring with me a wealth of experience from my time as a spokesperson for Girlguiding UK and as a British Youth Council Delegate.
Emma-Jane Hampsheir-Gill
A doctoral student based in Oxford and passionate about youth social action, I bring a professional background in higher education supporting disabled and disadvantaged students to Oxfordshire Youth. A strong advocate for the importance of volunteering, I am the National Youth Participation Lead for St John Ambulance and an #iWill ambassador responsible for co-creating the national ten-year Vision for Volunteering. In my spare time, I can be found ice-skating, reading, or working on my latest crochet project.
Caroline O’Connor
Caroline O’Connor is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and community development. With a background in strategic marketing and business networking and entrepreneurship, she brings extensive experience in connecting people, fostering collaboration, and supporting personal growth. As the founder of Fourth Born and a Co Director of Opendoorz, Caroline has built a thriving professional network that champions mutual support, shared learning, and positive impact across Oxfordshire.
Her interest in young people’s development stems from a deep belief that confidence, connection, and opportunity can transform lives. Caroline joined Oxfordshire Youth to contribute her skills in relationship building, strategic thinking, and business community engagement, helping the charity expand its reach and strengthen its partnerships. She is particularly passionate about inspiring the next generation to believe in their potential and take bold steps toward their futures.
Zahid Bhatti
I am currently the Principal and Chief Executive of EMBS Community College which engages adults and young people from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds including learners with mental health issues, unaccompanied minors, learners in social care, refugees, and those who have had negative experiences of education. Previously I managed and delivered youth and community services in school and community settings in Banbury at the Shifa Trust and coordinated Higher Education Summer Schools and Taster days at The University of Liverpool. I was also the President of FOSIS (Federation of Student Islamic Societies) and involved in several community-based programmes.
I studied Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Liverpool and have completed a number of post-graduate studies in Philosophy, Educational Psychology, Educational Leadership & Youth and Community.
Nabila Hafiz
I am currently a student at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), where I will be graduating in Global Development, with 2.5 years of experience serving on the committee of Help the World Oxford, a women of colour-led activist charity. I’ve had the opportunity to host the Youth Awards and be part of the amazing OY podcast, both as a host and contributor. As a young British Asian trustee, I’m passionate about using my lived experiences to support and empower young people, especially those from marginalised communities and backgrounds.
Sam Lloyd-Jones
Outside of work, I am a practicing druid and an enthusiast of ancient history, the occult, and all things wonderfully nerdy.
Charles Ravenhill
Tom Storey
Tom is a consultant specialising in employment & skills within the property and construction sector. After founding K10 (the largest construction apprenticeship training agency in the country), he now provides strategic consultancy advice to a number of the leading property developer’s, contractors within the construction sector in relation to social impact. This includes consulting on apprenticeships, local employment, digital transformation, community investment and well-being.