(21 July 2009) YMCA England has chosen Anglican, Ian Green as its new Chief Executive. He will lead an inclusive Christian Movement that supports 65,000 young people—including housing over 8,000 individuals every night—through 135 local YMCAs throughout the country.
Green has held the position in an interim capacity since July 2008 and previously was the Chief Executive of Kingston and Wimbledon YMCA. Green started his work with the YMCA movement in 1987 as a Housing Manager at the YMCA in Ealing.
Green, 43, still lives in Ealing, where he sits on the Council and previously served as Mayor. Green also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Ealing Hospital NHS Trust, along with being a Justice of the Peace.
“I am honoured to lead such a dynamic group of YMCAs that every day pour their hearts and souls into supporting young people who too often have nowhere else to turn,” said Chief Executive Ian Green. “I’ve dedicated the last 20 years of my life to the YMCA Movement because I believe in the work we do, I believe in the people doing that work, and, most importantly, I believe in the promise of young people.”
“When Ian took over at Kingston, we were in a very difficult financial situation,” said John Holland, Chairman of Kingston & Wimbledon YMCA. “He came in, refocused our efforts, helped lay the foundations for the Association’s future, saw us through a complex merger with Wimbledon YMCA and helped formulate and then implement a new strategic plan. We are now one of the largest and most successful YMCAs in Europe. We owe much of that success to Ian Green, and I couldn’t think of a better choice to lead the Movement across England.”
While Interim National Secretary, Green put those same skills to work travelling the country meeting with YMCAs in order to devise a strategic plan that will renew its mission and move YMCA England into a new phase of development and service to its members.
Moving forward and implementing that plan will be one of his first tasks.
“Ian Green is going to make the entire YMCA Movement very proud,” said Tim Waldron, Chairman of YMCA England. “Ian has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping young people build a future. Over the last year, he has earned the trust of the Movement, excited the membership, and provided critical strategic leadership. The National Board is confident that under Ian’s continuing guidance the Movement will thrive and reach new heights.”
“I recently had the chance to meet with Ian to discuss issues that are affecting young people, particularly residents at West London YMCA,” said Cara Bowler, a 20-year-old resident at West London YMCA. “I really feel like he cares about what we are going through, and I really hope he does everything in his power to make a difference.”
Green’s term in office starts immediately at YMCA England.
