Diane Vernon MBE

Chief Executive

After eight years working in the third sector, Di created EmployabilityUK – an education charity. In her previous role, Di was responsible for developing Career Academies UK’s regional strategy and delivering the national programme. Having built a team of regional managers and taken the programme to all parts of the UK she then went on to become Director of Business Development.

Di has more than 25 years of corporate business experience from BT and O2, including delivering BT’s education and community programme in the Midlands. Di has held a number of volunteering roles including 6 years as a Special Constable with West Midlands Police. She is on various boards and committees including a multi-academy trust and until recently was an independent Parish Councillor. Di’s commitment to advancing the opportunities for young people was recognised in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours, when she was awarded an MBE.

Joel Blake OBE

Chair of Trustees

Joel is a multi-award-winning businessman, public speaker, and corporate advisor with over 15 years of experience in helping organisations deliver inclusive business growth strategies. He is the Founder & CEO of fintech firm www.gfaexchange.com and the Founding Chairman of The Financial Inclusion Network CIC, a not-for-profit think-tank focused on economic growth. He is the former President of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, and also a previous executive for Growing Business and Access to Finance for his regional LEP.

Joel consults with professional services firms and public sector bodies on developing inclusive business support models and ecosystems. He has guest lectured at several globally recognised business schools on entrepreneurship, diversity, and technology. He has also advised No 10 Downing Street business policy advisers on business growth strategies for diverse UK businesses.

Outside of Employability UK, Joel is a Trustee of the B:Music Charity and was awarded an OBE for Services to Business Support and Enterprise in 2016.

John Bradford

Treasurer

John recently retired after a 30-year career in finance and banking having undertaken senior leadership and executive roles. Experienced in both the retail and wholesale sectors – John’s latest role was as Distribution Director bringing TSB back to the high streets of the UK as a customer champion and challenger to the larger banks. John can bring a business transformation and strategic insight to the charity. In addition, he has been a mentor to LGBT, BAME and young learner networks.

Married with 5 sons, John has always had a passion for helping young people fulfil their potential, creating environments that facilitate that, and achieve what they want in life. In addition to EUK he is a trustee to another charity that supports literacy in schools, governor of an FE College and works with the Citizens Advice Bureau supporting local people and communities. Passionate about sport and young people being physically active John is also manager of a youth rugby team. As well as sport he enjoys reading, travelling and being walked by 2 very energetic dogs!

Mark Trenavin-Body EMBA, CMgr MCMI

Trustee

Mark is a highly accomplished financial management professional and director. His career has centred in financial services where he has held several executive and finance positions within large multinational companies (HSBC, Aviva, Standard Chartered) and has also worked in consultancy (KPMG). His career has provided him with an opportunity to work in many countries, including time spent living in Switzerland and India.

Mark is a member of the Chartered Management Institute and a Fellow of the Association of Taxation Technicians. He is also a member of the Norwich Business School Advisory Board and International Advisory Board to the Metropolitan University in Hong Kong.

He is passionate about supporting young people regarding employability and has been an active participant in mentoring and coaching junior talent for many years and is a current member of the University of East Anglia and Aston University mentoring programs.

Mark sees a key part of his role as a Trustee as:

“overseeing the charity’s financial sustainability to support its ambitions in making a difference for young people by enhancing their career prospects.”

Outside his professional life, he likes to keep fit by going to the gym, cycling and walking his beloved border terrier. Less healthy pursuits include a love of wine tasting and supporting Hereford FC.

Jake Richings

Trustee

Jake Richings is a young entrepreneur engaging young people with careers education.

As director of Authentic Engagement Limited, Jake is proficient in creating content, workshops and CEIAG strategies to support education providers with their careers provision. With experience TikTok influencing for businesses in the early careers sector as well as inspiring hundreds of education professionals to use TikTok to engage young people in careers education, Jake is a relevant voice and advocate for GenZ within the Employability Sector.

As trustee, Jake will support EmployabilityUK’s digital engagement strategy and content creation as well as ensuring our programmes stay relevant and engaging for the next generation.

In his spare time Jake writes music and closely follows esports.

Martyna Adam

Trustee

Martyna is an award-winning Senior Data Analyst, with experience working in multiple industries, utilising her skills to help businesses make data-driven decisions. She is the Digital Community of Practice Lead, a mentor, and a committee member for a Skills Club. Prior to switching careers into data and technology, her background was in Psychology.

Martyna is passionate about encouraging young people to pursue STEM subjects and is an advocate for reducing the gender gap in the field. As a Trustee, her aim is to promote the voices of the next generation and advise on the upcoming skills that businesses need from the workforce.

In her spare time, Martyna is a Trainee Instructor for CFG, a Medium writer, and likes to read and listen to podcasts.