Chief Executive Officer, Richard Leaman-Grey, has decided to leave Tall Ships Youth Trust after four years heading up the youth development charity.

Richard played a crucial role in driving the charity forward and helped Tall Ships Youth Trust through some very challenging periods, including but not limited to, the coronavirus pandemic.

Richard joined the organisation in 2017, at a time of significant financial challenge and went on to steer the Trust through three years of operating surpluses (after successive years of deficits). At the same time he ensured the charity maintained the number of disadvantaged young people it supported each year.

Richard said:

I will be very sad to leave this amazing charity, but in every CEO’s tenure, the time comes when it’s right for the CEO, and the organisation, to move on. That time has arrived, and I will look back on my brilliant office and sailing staff, and our life-changing work, with much fondness.

Chairman, David Aisher, added:

Richard has carried out his duties with commitment and passion and played a key role during his time at the helm. Many young people owe him a great deal.

Richard will leave the charity on 14th August to pursue new commercial and charitable activities.

The Board of Trustees has commenced the search for his successor.

This announcement does not alter Tall Ships Youth Trust’s course in terms of getting young people back to sea on residential voyages.

Following Trustee approval last week, the charity has resumed residential sailing with school group bubbles and aims to be operating normally (with no restrictions on groups) from Monday 21^st June. This is providing no further restrictions are put in place between now and step four of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.