The Young Foundation is proud to announce that Dr Susan Griffiths will take up her role as our new Chief Executive in March 2026.
Griffiths joins from Social Development Direct, a social enterprise delivering innovative international development consultancy and research, focused on gender equality, disability, and social inclusion, where she has been Managing Director since 2020.
Griffiths’ earlier career includes roles as Executive Director at political development consultancy, Global Partners Governance, working to support political institutions around the world; and as a Senior Clerk at the House of Commons.
She is a Non-Executive Director of Global Partners Governance Foundation, Independent Member of the Overseas and International Honours Committee, and was previously an independent member of the Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee.
‘Embracing an inspiring vision’
Welcoming this appointment, Kersten England CBE, Chair of The Young Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to announce that Dr Sue Griffiths will be the next Chief Executive of The Young Foundation. Sue brings a wealth of experience from her background leading international and UK based research and consultancy organisations focussed on tackling inequalities and supporting institutions to drive societal change. The Young Foundation’s Board of Trustees and all of its colleagues look forward to working with Sue to deliver our passion for the creation of a fairer society through the radical power of participation.”
Sue said:
“I am thrilled to join The Young Foundation, leading an organisation I have long admired as it embarks on the next phase of its journey. That means embracing the inspiring vision of founder Michael Young and building on the achievements of the many talented staff who work here, and the innovative and ground-breaking CEOs before me. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to communicate the organisation’s distinct capabilities and accelerate our positive impact on the most crucial environmental, economic and social issues of our time.”
Our Chief Operating Officer, Sean Croghan, will remain The Young Foundation’s Interim Chief Executive until Sue joins The Young Foundation in March 2026.
To connect with Sue and The Young Foundation, please contact [email protected]
Posted on: 1 December 2025