We’re delighted to welcome a new trustee to the Youth Adventure Trust’s Board. Trustee appointments build on the broad representation of skills, backgrounds and experiences, to help steer the charity as we develop and support more young people to achieve their potential.
Lucy Holden has been a supporter and volunteer with YAT for many years. She shares what inspires her, what she’d like to see change for young people in the UK, and answers the most important question: her favourite adventure snack!
Lucy Holden
Deal Manager at Microsoft
Tell us about your background and experience:
I am a Fellow Chartered Accountant of ICAEW with almost two decades of experience in Business and Finance. I trained with PwC in Audit then Mergers & Acquisitions team, moved to Virgin Media and have spent the past 10 years at Microsoft as Business Finance and most recently as a Deal Manager. I am currently responsible for setting the strategy and negotiating large and strategic deals with customers across EMEA.
What inspired you to join the Youth Adventure Trust as a trustee?
As I built my formal education, I spent many of my college and university holidays volunteering as a Group Leader on Youth Adventure Trust camps. During my training with PwC to be a Chartered Accountant, I worked with YAT CEO Mark on their 3-year plan, and thoroughly enjoyed taking this strategic perspective and supporting a charity close to my heart. I am now at a stage in my career where I believe I have business and finance skills and want to use these for a good cause, and so I was starting to consider taking a role as a Trustee for a charity, and YAT was my 1st choice.
What would you like to see change for young people in the UK?
It would be great to see earlier intervention and ongoing support for young people through schools and local authorities. I observed the benefits of YAT to individuals first hand and the support of the volunteers and programmes can be a very powerful instigator of change in a young person’s path.
How do you like to spend your spare time?
I live in Berkshire with my husband and 2 daughters (4 and 5 years old) so when I am not at work or taking them to classes, my time is spent going on adventures in local woods, doing art and crafts or playing imaginary games they design. I love to travel and regularly work-out doing functional fitness.
Favourite snack for a day of adventuring:
Kendle Mint Cake for a treat, or nuts and dried fruit if I am being sensible!