We are delighted to announce the appointment of Leon Ward as LMK’s new Chair of Trustees. Leon will lead our exceptional Board and support LMK’s mission to provide young people with the knowledge and skills to thrive in their relationships. He takes over the role from Kirsten Westlake, who co-founded LMK in 2020 and has been an integral part of the charity’s journey as Chair since its inception.
Leon brings a wealth of experience to the role. He is currently the CEO of MyBnk, the UK’s largest financial education charity, and previously served as Programme Innovations Director at Future First. Passionate about social mobility, he has held trustee and committee roles with leading UK charities, including Plan International UK, Brook Young People, The Children’s Society, and Refuge. He also played a key role in establishing the Young Trustees Movement, advocating for greater youth representation in charity leadership.
On his appointment, Deirdre Kehoe, Chief Executive of LMK, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Leon as Chair at this exciting time for LMK. His leadership knowledge, experience in the charity and education sectors and background as a young trustee will be invaluable to LMK as we grow and deliver our three year strategy.
Leon said: “I am honoured to be appointed Chair of LMK and to support its vital work in equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to build healthy relationships. Throughout my career, I have seen first-hand the power of early intervention in shaping lives. I look forward to working with the team to expand LMK’s impact and ensure even more young people benefit from LMK’s essential programmes. I would also like to acknowledge the dedication and leadership of Kirsten Westlake, whose vision and commitment, first as co-founder and then Chair, has been instrumental in guiding LMK to where it is today.”
We’re excited for this next chapter under Leon’s leadership and can’t wait to see LMK continue to grow and continue to make an impact on young people across London and beyond.