People

SYLA Management and Staff

SYLA Chief Executive Andy Walker and his wife, former head teacher Pat Walker, founded the Academy from their passion for helping young people achieve their potential.

With help from supporters they have been joined by dedicated and inspirational leadership instructors, coaches and a strong administrative team.

Professor Morag Stuart from the Institute of Education, University of London works with our Education Consultant, to measure the boy's academic and personal development over their time at the Academy.

 

Board of Trustees

The SYLA trustees come from a wide variety of professions including education, government, consultancy and the Law.

They ensure that any funding we receive from organisations such as Lambeth Council, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Barclays is used appropriately, that the charity remains solvent and we abide by charity law.

The trustees are also responsible for making sure the Academy is well run and achieves its objectives.

 

 

 Francis Evans QC:  Francis was appointed Chair of the Board of Trusees in December 2007.  He is a practising barrister from Fleet Street Chanmbers adjacent to Inner Temple in the City of London.  He is also a Recorder who sits as a part time Judge in the Crown Court.  Francis lives in Primrose Hill in North London.  With his gratitude for his enormous good fortune in life he was thankful for the opportunity to assist in a charity to help other black males achieve their full potential.  Francis has four children between the ages of 25 and 14, plays the cello and sings in a madrigal group.

 

 

 

 Kathy Hall:  Kathy works on delivery of public services and performance management at HM Treasury.  She previously worked at the National Audit Office and in the NHS.  She joined SYLA to contribute to an organisation which makes a real impact, improving outcomes for young people in the local community and helping them reach their potential.  Since joining, Kathy has learnt a great deal about the issues facing both the participants in the SYLA Academy and for small voluntary organisations trying to make a difference.  She has also been impressed by the way in which dedicated people working together can overcome these challenges to improve their own lives and the lives of others around them.  Kathy lives in Herne Hill, South London and enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends

 

 

 

Jenny Hall:  Jennie is a civil servant with numerous years experience working in various government departments.  Her current job involves finance in the communities for Local Government.  Her previous jobs involved working for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Education & Skills and the Employment Department.  In addition to SYLA, Jennie also does voluntary work for other organisations.

 
Chris Davis:  Chris is a managing consultant with Avail, a leading public-sector management consultancy.  He has worked extensively with organisations across government, particularly in the justice and education systems, focused on strategy development, business planning and performance improvement.  He as formerly a civil servant at the Ministry of Defence.  He is also Governor of a South London primary school.  His interest in SYLA comes from wanting to see young people - especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds - achieve their full potential in both their personal and professional lives.
  Delia Modeste:  Delia has been a Trustee of SYLA since its formation in December 2007.  She is currently employed by BTEG as a Project Manager on the REACH Programme which supports and inspires black boys and young black men to raise their aspirations, attainment and achievement.  To help make this happen, 20 successful black men from widely different backgrounds have been selected as national role models and they visit schools,youth projects and community centres to talk about their personal journeys to success.  Prior to this appointment, Delia was employed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Eastside Young Leaders' Academy (EYLA) and as a Programme Director on the Building Futures Project in North London.

 

 Charlie Shiramba:  Charlie has been a Trustee at SYLA since June 2008.  He is a solicitor, having practised at a number of City law firms, and assists the Board in a number of its functions, including human resources and liaison with corporate organisations.

Ruth Parkhouse:  Ruth became a Trustee at SYLA in May 2009.  She has had a career in public relations, starting as a press officer in the fashion industry subsequently working in the Westminster, Edinburgh and Brussels parliaments as a lobbyist on behalf of the British Retail Consortium, the UK Offshore Operators Association, Chevron UK and Step Change in Safety.  Ruth's commitment to SYLA stems from her support for organisations that can inspire young people to use their energy and abilities in positive ways to fullfil their personal ambitions, create cohesion within the family and benefit the community.