Executive Search
Gloucestershire Young Carers (GYC) is an award-winning charity with an outstanding reputation and 30 years of expertise in developing innovative services with and for young carers.
Ambitious for the future and supporting over 1,000 young carers countywide. They were keen to consolidate the growth and progress of recent years, prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and, with the support of their staff, volunteers, and their current leadership team, appoint a new CEO.
A role which will ensure that GYC has the capacity to engage constructively with existing and new partnerships while continuing to deliver the highest quality services possible for young carers and young adult carers.
“Philip was recommended to us by a well-respected independent colleague who provides support to VCSE organisations locally and nationally.
The appointment of a new CEO for our organisation was an important step for us, and we wanted someone with experience and the necessary skills to guide us through the recruitment. Philip helped us through the process every step of the way, from planning to production of promotional materials, longlisting to shortlisting and working conscientiously through to the end, even with respect to obtaining references.
Philip’s comprehensive VCSE contacts network on platforms such as LinkedIn meant that promotion of the opportunity to apply for our role reached people we could not have hoped to have found without his help – Philip literally has a ‘Heineken’ quality.
Engaging Philip gave us capacity that we, as a relatively compact organisation with a voluntary Board, do not have, as well as confidence for Trustees that the recruitment process would achieve its aim of finding a new CEO who would work with the exiting staff team and the Board to empower young carers to find support, connection, and a voice of their own.”
Becky Parish, Chair
Their expectations were rightly high. Their new Chief Executive will be joining a dedicated, passionate, and high-performing team, all of whom are incredibly proud of being part of GYC and celebrating and supporting our young carers.
They sought an inspirational leader and a strategic thinker with the credibility and authority to forge new approaches, release energy for longer-term planning, and provide strong support to their staff and volunteers.
Someone with the ability to help strengthen their local profile, further develop their national profile, network to increase their ability to advocate and influence, lead their strategic development, grow their impact, and reach, and enhance the inclusive culture of GYC, where every contribution and perspective is valued.
The success of the campaign resulted in the appointment of Cheryl Rhodes who throughout her career has demonstrated a passionate committment to finding ways to improve the lives of children and their families so that they can thrive, culminating in her most recent role as Director of Home-Start Southwark.
Before this, she had served as a Project Manager with the London Borough of Lambeth, working with the commissioning team to support the reorganisation of Lambeth’s children’s services and as a Children’s Services Consultant involved in the redesign of Southwark’s children’s services to deliver better quality targeted services and improved outcomes.
Cheryl says:
“It is a privilege to join this amazing organisation, where the interview process itself, involving young people, was truly inspiring. I am thrilled to be joining GYC!
As I step into the Chief Executive role, I am eager to build on the solid groundwork already laid. My aim is clear: to let young carers’ voices guide our growth. Together, we will create an environment where their views shape our actions, helping us continue to improve and lead in our field.
It is an exciting time to be working with such a dedicated team and inspiring young people. I look forward to their voices guiding our future and making a real difference together.”
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