Berkshire Youth Chair steps down after over 30 years with the charity
Berkshire Youth’s Jim Leftwich is to step down from his post as chair, a position he has held since 1987.
Mr Leftwich, who moved to Berkshire in 1967 to work for Gillette, joined the Board of Trustees in 1982 and will now be replaced by former police chief officer Greg Wilkinson.
During his time with the charity, Berkshire Youth saw many changes from its name to incorporating girls and seeing a whole new generation of young people to support in very different circumstances.
Mr Leftwich recently spoke about the major changes he saw during his time at the charity and how they came to be. He said: “As chair, I had an automatic place on the Council of the National Association of Boys Clubs (NABC), with the then legendary pop idol Frankie Vaughan as president, and one significant change at this time was the inclusion of girls into the club and title of the organisation ‘Clubs for Young People’.
“Some very volatile meetings of council took place before this change was achieved. I remember one member commenting, I’ve been a member of Boys Clubs for 50 years and we’re not changing now.”
In 1999, David Seward took over as CEO, replacing Ray Tapken. He has worked with Mr Leftwich for over 20 years and said: “I would like to add my heartfelt thanks to Jim for all he has done for our charity. He has worked tirelessly with me to be the very best we can be for local young people.”
He added: “I wish him all the best for his well-earned retirement. I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to Greg, who I have no doubt will be an excellent new chair for Berkshire Youth.”
In 2013, Mr Leftwich, who retired from paid employment in 2000, received the OBE from the Queen, principally for his work with Berkshire Youth and charity Amani UK.
Berkshire Youth Patron the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire James Puxley said: “I would like to take this opportunity to give my sincere thanks to Jim for his outstanding commitment to our charity over the past 40 years.
“He has undoubtedly seen huge changes, but his dedication and positivity has never wavered. I wish Jim well as he has more time to spend with Edna, his wife of 60 years, two children and four grandchildren, and on his hobbies.”
He added: “I would like to reassure everyone that Berkshire Youth will continue seamlessly, with a strong board of trustees and dedicated staff team. I am thrilled to introduce you to our chair designate, Greg Wilkinson.”
Purely-on-Thames resident Greg Wilkinson will officially become the Berkshire Youth chair later this year after a handover period.
Before running a business with his wife in Reading, Mr Wilkinson had a long 14-year career in policing, spending 11 of those years as a chief officer with West Yorkshire police.
He said: “I relish the opportunity to work with Berkshire Youth and hope to support the excellent work that the team undertake and to follow in Jim’s significant footsteps. My mantra in Rotary has been that ‘every child has potential but only some have the opportunity to develop it’."
He added: “I hope that my experience and local connections will provide some added value to the great work that Berkshire Youth undertakes.”
Berkshire Youth President Roger Smee, who joined the Berkshire Youth board in 1981, thanked Mr Leftwich for his dedication to youth work and noted that he was “delighted” to welcome Mr Wilkinson to the team.
He said: “He joins Berkshire Youth at a transitional and exciting time, as we demonstrate what we can achieve when local government, charities and other stakeholders work with us to invest in local young people and their futures. This is most ably demonstrated by our work at our new Waterside Newbury premises.”
