Reg Bailey CBE has been newly appointed as Chair to the Board of Trustees of the National Council of YMCAs. He was the Chief Executive of Mothers’ Union from 1999 until his retirement in 2015.
YMCA is the oldest and largest youth charity in the world, founded in London in 1844. Across England and Wales, it runs as a federation working in 740 communities to support young people to belong, contribute and thrive in their communities.
Reg said: “It is an honour to be elected as Chair of the National Council of YMCAs. YMCA has a unique history, one that we are rightly proud of. I believe it is our responsibility as a society to ensure children grow into emotionally resilient young people and YMCA is taking an active role in communities across the country to do this.
“I look forward to helping to provide the leadership and governance we will need to strengthen our National Council and, through our members, impact on and support young people and communities who access our services on a daily basis.”
While YMCAs work and respond locally, YMCA England & Wales acts as the national council, supporting each local charity within the federation and acting as a national voice with Government and decision makers.
Reg was appointed CBE in 2013 for services to children and families. He is an Honorary Cannon of St Alban’s Cathedral, member of the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) Council; the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) Advisory Panel on Children’s Viewing, and is Chair of SANDS, the still birth and neo-natal death charity.