Our people

Jennifer Clayton

Social Innovation Programme Manager

Jen’s background is in designing and delivering support and scaling initiatives for social innovators and entrepreneurs. Before joining The Young Foundation, she held integral roles in grant management delivery, challenge prize design, and business mentor brokering at UnLtd and Nesta.

Jenny Barke

Peer Research Lead

Prior to joining The Young Foundation, Jenny worked at the University of Bristol on community engaged research projects. She is is a chartered psychologist, and has worked across health, social sciences, engineering, arts, and humanities. She has expertise in a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Jessica Moore

Head of Communications and External Affairs

Joining in September 2021, Jess drives thought leadership and shares our creative ideas with diverse audiences. Formerly an editor at The Guardian and The Independent, Jess is passionate about communicating the needs of people in our communities, working to extend The Young Foundation’s reach and impact.

Katriya Bulutoglu

Research Officer

Through her work, Katriya is particularly interested in diversity and inclusion, as well as how research methodology can bring communities together and amplify the voices of those so often left out of traditional research. Katriya joined The Young Foundation after graduating from university in 2020.

Nora Zia

Research Officer

Nora joined The Young Foundation in 2022, after completing her psychology degree. She has a particular interest in exploring experiences of communities that are under-represented in traditional research through creative methods.

Paul Oberg

Director of Finance and Corporate Resources

Paul joined The Young Foundation in 2021, having held a similar role with The Land Trust. Paul has 15 years’ experience in the charity and not-for-profit sector, having begun his career in the corporate world. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and brings experience across HR, and IT, as well as finance.

Richard Harries

Associate Director, Institute for Community Studies

Richard was previously a senior civil servant and deputy director of the independent think tank Reform. He has extensive experience of research and policymaking, and has advised governments all over the world on public service reform. Richard has published on a wide range of topics.

Rosie Farrer

Senior Associate

Joining The Young Foundation in 2020, Rosie’s passion is working with change-makers to make communities and cultures more effective and more meaningful. She is an experienced facilitator, coach, innovation mentor, and senior leader with an MSc in international development, and a BSc in psychology.

Salma Shah

Senior Researcher

Prior to joining The Young Foundation in June 2021, Salma led SEN provisions in a number of inner-town schools, specialising in supporting disaffected learners and families. She is a social entrepreneur with a profit-for-purpose business, and was a finalist in the Muslim Women Awards’ Entrepreneur of the Year 2021.

Samanthi Theminimulle

Senior Researcher

Samanthi is interested in participatory research methods, inclusion and accessibility. In addition to her role at the Institute for Community Studies, she is is a facilitator with Civic Square and Enrol Yourself, and a trustee for the community land trust, RUSS.

Sarah Faber

Head of Ventures

Sarah manages the Young Academy Investment Fund and also runs other social innovation projects. She is a chartered accountant who worked in renewables project finance before becoming a financial advisor to charities and social enterprises.

Siân Whyte

Head of Strategic Design and Insight

Siân is passionate about delivering insights that enable organisations to increase their impact. She specialises in a range of methodological approaches, underpinned by research-focused BA and MSc degrees. Her role at The Young Foundation involves overseeing research and design projects for national and local clients.