YHA has made two key appointments to its Executive Team. We are welcoming Louise Platt and James MacColl to two new senior roles within the organisation.
Louise has been appointed as Executive Director of Resources and Transformation, while James takes up the role of Director of External Affairs.
The creation of the roles as part of a reshaped senior leadership team, which has reduced the number of senior posts, follows the launch of our three-year recovery plan in 2023 to bring the charity back into financial prosperity following the impact of pandemic shutdowns, the cost-of-living crisis and steep inflation.
Welcoming both Louise and James to YHA, our Chief Executive James Blake said: “Louise and James join YHA at a crucial and exciting time in which to help lead our three-year recovery plan as well as ensure more people – especially young people facing adversity – benefit from connecting to nature, the outdoors, heritage and each other while staying in our network of hostels across England and Wales.”
Louise will lead YHA’s finance, technology, property and transformation teams, focused on ensuring YHA has the resources and agility to extend its reach and impact in communities across England and Wales.
She joins YHA from Longhurst Group, a leading housing group in the Midlands and East of England where she held the role of the Group’s Executive Director of Housing, Care and Support.
She brings 30 years of experience in driving positive social impact and has held a number of senior level roles in the in the housing, care, hospitality and career support sectors.
Commenting on her role, Louise said: “YHA’s mission of enriching lives and improving health, wellbeing and life skills through travel and adventure resonates deeply with my values. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to help shape the next chapter for this iconic charity. I couldn’t be more excited to deploy my expertise in service of YHA’s vital mission.”
As Director of External Affairs James MacColl will lead the development, delivery and communication of priority national level alliances, partnerships and campaigns including the Access Unlimited coalition and Hostelling Together.
He joins YHA from the Ramblers where he has been Head of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns, overseeing campaigns to protect and extend walkers’ rights and improve the opportunities and infrastructure for people to access nature.
He brings experience of designing and implementing strategies which engage stakeholders, the public and media in influencing corporate and public policy to his new role with YHA.
He commented: “I’m excited to join YHA at a time of new beginnings as they implement their recovery from the recent challenges of the pandemic. YHA has so much to offer young people and the wider country, providing opportunities for them to travel, meet other people, get outdoors and connect with nature, and develop bright futures, and I look forward to helping deliver and demonstrate this value.”
We operate a network of around 140 hostels in England and Wales all offering affordable accommodation, including shared and private rooms as well as camping and cabins. All revenue from our hostel accommodation is directed towards out social purpose. YHA, which was established in 1930, employs around 1000 people across its hostel network and at our head office and contact centre in Matlock, Derbyshire.
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