Meet the trustees

  • Ian Reeves

    Chair Of Trustees

    Ian Reeves, media and editorial consultant and honorary journalism professor, brings extensive experience to the charity. Following a 20-year journalism career, including five years editing Press Gazette, he co-founded and led the University of Kent's Centre for Journalism, developing programs like the BBC's senior journalism training scheme. He also co-founded KMTV, an Ofcom-licensed television channel.His charity work includes a founding role as chair of trustees of The Horton, a flourishing arts and heritage centre in Epsom born from a grass-roots community’s determination to save a near-derelict Grade 2 listed building from demolition.

  • Yasmin Amevor

    Trustee

    Yasmin Amevor, in-house legal counsel for a global workforce management company, specialises in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. Her legal expertise spans various sectors, including children's social welfare law gained through local authority work. Yasmin also brings creative industries and social media experience. A dynamic and proactive individual, she champions access to opportunities through sports and leadership, aligning with the charity's mission. Yasmin's passion and experience ensure the charity's work meets the highest legal and ethical standards, while strengthening its messaging and communications.

  • Rafael Alleyne

    Trustee

    Rafael, Assistant Principal at The London Screen Academy, brings over 20 years of education experience. A former science teacher, he specialises in youth development areas including pastoral care, behavior, safeguarding, and special educational needs. Rafael has collaborated with local authorities on school and Home Office initiatives, and with organisations supporting youth and families. A former sprint athlete and children's coach, he is passionate about using sport for personal development. His mission-driven approach at the Academy, focused on outreach and marketing, now extends to the charity.

  • Christopher Holmes

    Treasurer

    Chris has a decade of charity sector experience. He heads Finance and Resources for the UK branch of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and serves as Treasurer for the Saint Sarkis Charity Trust. His background includes finance and office management roles for both foundations and fundraising charities. A qualified accountant (ACCA), Chris holds an MSc from University College London and a BA from Lancaster University. Beyond finance, Chris is passionate about football and believes everyone should experience the benefits football can bring to people’s lives.

  • Pablo Blackwood

    Trustee

    Pablo Blackwood brings extensive football and youth/community work experience. A respected, award-winning coach and youth worker, he works nationally and internationally, sharing expertise at venues like the Premier League, Downing Street, and the European Football for Development Network. Featured on BBC, Channel 4, and Sky, he discusses topics including mental health, race, and youth work. Key roles include supporting academy footballers' holistic development, serving as Race & Ethnicity lead at QPR, and managing mentoring and leadership programs. He also serves as Deputy Lieutenant for Kensington & Chelsea.

  • Charlene Gravesande

    Trustee

    Award-winning sports media CEO Charlene (Ink Media) brings 16 years of Sky Sports experience, specialising in diverse content. She champions Black professionals in sports media through Leaders in Sport and Bectu, and racial equity, creating pathways for underrepresented talent. As the sole Black producer, Charlene contributed to Sky Sports F1's BAFTA win at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. She was also influential on the 2020 Premier League Football Black List. Her acclaimed 2020 film, "George Floyd 100 days," was shown in schools via Show Racism The Red Card. Charlene’s leadership and dedication to inclusion have significantly impacted sports. In 2024, she won 3 awards, including being named on the Diversity Power List 50 for 2024/25.

  • Mark McCormack

    Trustee

    Mark McCormack is the managing director and co-founder of Academia, a thriving technology and services company. He has spearheaded the company's impressive growth from a small team of just ten to a substantial workforce of over 300 employees over the past 16 years. Beyond his business leadership, Mark is a dedicated school governor, contributing to his local community. He also holds a Level 2 FA coaching badge, reflecting his commitment to sports and youth development. Furthermore, Mark actively coaches with Harpenden Rovers Youth FC, nurturing young talent and fostering a love for the game.

  • Carlos Salvador

    Director

    Carlos has an extensive track record in social enterprise, spending 14 years developing social outreach agendas for NGOs across a multitude of sectors and disciplines, as well as consulting for major brands. Carlos leads Football Journeys in ensuring its next phase of growth reaches as many young people as possible across London boroughs and beyond. He brings to the role his wealth of experience across strategy, business development, marketing, communications and working with young people from minoritised backgrounds.

  • Josh Pugh

    Program Manager

    Josh is a football coach with a background in youth work and campaigns. He worked on the world's largest ever voter registration campaign in 2016, before joining The Advocacy Academy to head up recruitment for their social justice fellowship. After joining FJ at the end of 2021 as a coach, he delivered on the programme for two years, working across three different schools. He was recently made Programme Manager, and will be overseeing delivery in 2024. Away from FJ, Josh works for Arsenal as a goalkeeper coach, and loves a double espresso.

  • Max Lufkin

    Coach

    Bio coming soon…

  • Tav Hutchinson

    Coach

    Tav is a creative coach with a passion for filmmaking, having created several short films. Her experience working with young people allows her to blend both skills seamlessly. Alongside Football Journeys, she teaches filmmaking to 18-26-year-olds at Mediorite, with a highlight being sessions at HMP ISIS—an experience out of her comfort zone but incredibly rewarding. The SHIFT program helped her refine directing and camera skills, leading to freelance work. In her free time, she writes scripts while raising her son.

  • Amii Griffith

    Coach

    Amii is a football and creative coach. She is currently on her UEFA B license and has worked in the creative industries for over a decade. Amii has coached both adults and children and is the Head Coach of tier 7 football team Clapton CFC Reserves. Her extensive work in the creative industries includes working with Sky, Channel 5, Soho Theatre and Rio Cinema. Outside of Football Journeys and coaching, Amii is a writer across different mediums, workshop facilitator and producer.

  • Shanelle Webb

    Coach

    Shanelle is a youth and community worker who started in youth work. She specialises in youth led co-production and food security projects. She founded a youth-led social enterprise working with young people affected by serious youth violence and poverty in Kennington and Lambeth in 2021 before joining Football Journeys through the Ambassadors Programme and as a Creative Coach. Outside of FJ, Shanelle loves creative writing and fashion design.

  • William Francisco

    Content Creator

    William is a professional photographer and filmmaker based in London, with a passion for storytelling through visual media. From collaborating with social media influencers and brands to capturing the magic of weddings, he thrives on finding unique ways to document meaningful moments. Specialising in street photography, William enjoys exploring diverse perspectives and everyday life through his lens. William has loved capturing the journeys of young people in the program, showcasing everything from their joyful moments to the key milestones—whether it's leading events or simply sharing laughter along the way.

  • Chloe Booth

    Fundraiser

    Chloe is a fundraising consultant who works exclusively with organisations that create positive change through culture and community. She started helping FJ with bid-writing in 2019 and has since become part of the team, leading on trusts and foundations and contributing to overall development strategy. When she's not raising money she can often be found admiring trees or putting her art degree to use in the studio.