- Organisation: Young Women’s Trust
- Role: Chief Executive Officer
- Date of Appointment: December 2025
About
Young Women’s Trust is the leading organisation supporting young women on low or no pay, with a mission to create an equal world of work and increase young women’s incomes. It works with and for women aged 18–30 across England and Wales, campaigning for a fairer financial future while providing practical support to help them thrive. Through its services, research, campaigns, and policy influencing, the Trust champions workplace equality and amplifies the voices of young women. Already a high-impact organisation, Young Women’s Trust has a clear strategic vision, a collaborative Board, and a talented, committed staff team. It benefits from a network of over 10,000 young women who support its mission, alongside many allies. With an endowment and a growing fundraising record, the organisation is in a strong and financially stable position.
The Brief
The organisation appointed Prospectus to lead the search for a new CEO; a bold, inspiring, values-led leader to take the organisation into its next chapter, building on strong foundations to grow its impact and influence. The incoming CEO would be expected to work closely with the Board and senior leadership team to deliver the current strategic plan and shape the next phase of organisational growth. The role required a powerful ambassador for the charity, able to ensure that the voices of young women are heard at the highest levels, combining strategic vision with operational excellence across service delivery, campaigning, policy influence and financial sustainability.
Our Approach
Given the profile of Young Women’s Trust, the search generated significant interest from across the sector. We proactively approached senior leaders with experience in organisational strategy, service delivery, and those who had a deep commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and the empowerment of young women.
Over a four-week search period, 157 applications were received, a compelling response rate that reflected the organisation’s standing and reputation. Many applicants demonstrated close alignment to Young Women’s Trust’s vision and mission, alongside a genuine commitment to shaping its future. From this pool, 10 candidates were invited to interview.
The Outcome
Katharine Sacks-Jones was appointed as the incoming Chief Executive: a highly regarded and strategic charity leader with over a decade of experience leading social impact organisations. Most recently, Chief Executive of Become, she has worked to amplify the voices of children and young people and drive systemic change through campaigning and service delivery. Her career spans work on homelessness, criminal justice, mental health, and domestic and sexual abuse; areas closely connected to gender inequality and the empowerment of women and girls in vulnerable circumstances. Alongside her executive career, she has held multiple trustee roles, including with Bail for Immigration Detainees, the TDS Charitable Trust, the 999 Club and Lady Florence Trust, Little Village, and Children England.
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