Youth champion ends decade of top service
Dedication to work earned him MBE
THE last day of March saw the retirement of Jim Bisset MBE as chair of the board of trustees of the Youth Federation.
Jim Bisset is a Macclesfield resident and under his tenure as chair of Youth Fed, marks a period of substantial growth and strategic leadership for the youth charity.
Assuming the role in April 2014, Jim’s service has been characterised by pragmatic decision-making and a commitment to enhancing the Charity’s impact on young people’s lives.
Under his leadership, Youth Fed has experienced notable achievements, both in terms of a greatly increased number of beneficiaries and improved financial stability.
Under Jim’s guidance, the charity’s impact has expanded significantly, now reaching thousands of young people annually.
This growth has been matched by a tripling of income, reflecting Jim’s focus on fiscal responsibility and maximising the use of all available resources.
Jim’s dedication to youth empowerment has earned him recognition, including the award of an MBE in 2017 for his services to the communities of the North West.
His efforts to launch initiatives like Limitless You, aimed at providing young people with their first experience of youth work activities, underscore his commitment to fostering positive outcomes for the next generation.
Jim Bisset MBE’s contributions will be remembered as integral to the ongoing success of Youth Fed and the communities it serves.
Chris Hindley (CEO of Youth Fed) said: “As the chair of the Federation passes to a new incumbent, it seems an apt moment to pause and reflect on what the outgoing chair: Jim Bisset MBE has achieved and the impact he has made.
“Since 1952 the words that seem to appear most regularly in the charity’s history are dedication, commitment and enthusiasm.
“Having worked with Jim for the last decade I have seen first-hand his dedication, commitment and enthusiasm for our work.
“He has been a truly inspirational leader who has guided us through both good and bad times.”
The chair has now passed to Martin Pearson.
Martin started his career in the Merchant Navy and has previously held roles as managing director of Urenco UK and was also director of Dungeness B Nuclear Power Station in Kent.
Martin is currently the chair of Active Cheshire and previously chief executive of the Catalyst Science and Discovery Centre’s Museum in Widnes.
Martin has been a trustee of Youth Fed since 2018 and Deputy Chair for the last 6 months.
Martin said: “I am honoured to be taking up the position of chair of the board of Youth Federation, a charity which has had its roots in this region for over 70 years.
“Supporting young people in an increasingly challenging world will require the charity to adapt and innovate and I’m confident the board and the very strong operational team of experts and youth workers we work with are best placed to continue making this happen.
“On behalf of the board, may I take this opportunity to thank Jim Bisset MBE for his leadership over the last decade and wish him well in his retirement.”