CEO Mark Gifford to leave NCS Trust after four successful years
NEWS 09/07/2024
NCS (National Citizen Service) Trust Chief Executive Officer Mark Gifford has announced he will leave the Trust following four successful and transformative years at the helm, supporting hundreds and thousands of young people to become world and work ready.
Mark has become a well respected leader in the youth sector since he joined NCS in March 2020 - just weeks before the Covid-19 lockdown. He steered the Trust through a challenging and unprecedented time.
Under Mark’s effective leadership, NCS has been transformed into a year-round offer, delivered through a network of over 200 frontline youth sector organisations. The NCS offer for 16 and 17 year olds now includes trips away from home, grant-funded programmes in local communities, and online activities. NCS also delivers the UK Year of Service programme, which places 18 to 24 year olds into socially beneficial jobs while building work experience, skills, professional networks and confidence.
In 2023/24 Mark led on this new strategy for NCS, resulting in 178,000 experiences delivered to young people - around 48,000 more than had been commissioned. The Trust’s running costs have been reduced year on year under Mark’s leadership, showing a focus on value for money, and youth voice has been implemented across the organisation, with young people shaping and influencing the direction of NCS. Mark leaves strong foundations for his successor to build on.
Mark said: “My time at NCS Trust has been incredibly rewarding as we have developed a new strategy and built our reputation for delivering transformed experiences for young people. Thanks to a strong network of partners and grantees, as well as my valued team at NCS Trust, our new strategy has achieved a successful first year.
“I will look back fondly on being part of this journey helping young people boost their prospects in life thanks to their involvement in NCS experiences. To help them become work ready and world ready has been a huge honour. Now is the time for personal change, with a role closer to my home in the North West.”
NCS Trust Chair Harris Bokhari said: “Mark will leave NCS in a much stronger position with more young people engaged in a portfolio of experiences and on a solid footing managing public money efficiently. Mark has played a pivotal role in advancing the Trust’s strategy and vision and leaves us in good stead to continue our mission into 2025 and beyond.
“On a personal level, I want to thank Mark for his warm welcome when I joined as Chair last year, and for his insight, honesty and integrity. I wish Mark the best of luck as he pursues a new opportunity.”
Mark will officially leave the Trust in late autumn to become Chief Executive Officer at a housing association based in Greater Manchester. Recruitment for Mark’s successor as CEO at NCS Trust is now underway.
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About NCS
NCS offers a range of experiences for young people that support them to become world ready and work ready — through growing their confidence, independence and skills; connecting them with people from all walks of life; and empowering them to make a difference in their communities and wider society.
NCS is managed and supported by NCS Trust, our central team who are constantly working to make sure that NCS delivers impactful experiences to as many young people as possible. NCS is funded by the UK Government through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as a core part of the National Youth Guarantee.
For more information, please contact the NCS Press Office – email media@ncstrust.org.uk or call us on 020 3920 8576.
