Board of Trustees

Vic has been the Chair of YMCA Plymouth for 4 years now. Prior to this he was the Operations Director at YMCA Plymouth. His main career was as a Civil Servant for 42 year working for the Department of Work and Pensions. This covered benefit delivery, benefit fraud investigation for Plymouth & Cornwall and latterly overseeing human resources work covering all aspects of HR work, including internal fraud investigations and equal opportunities investigations for the South West of England. Vic joined the YMCA in 2011 initially as an agency worker and went on to become the HR Manager eventually taking on additional roles until becoming the Ops Director covering all operational aspects of the business.

With over 30 years of experience in the leisure and hospitality industry, Den Bennett has been Managing Director of the China Fleet Country Club since 2012. His extensive background in leading one of the South West’s largest and most successful country clubs gives him a deep understanding of promoting active lifestyles, wellbeing, and community engagement. This experience positions him perfectly to serve as the YMCA’s Health and Wellbeing Lead, supporting the organisation’s mission to help people live healthier, happier lives.

Helen has over 20 years’ experience in delivering and managing apprenticeship provision, and other government funded and commercial training programmes, with private training providers across the country. For at least 12 of those years Helen was on the SLTs. In 2019 Helen joined the Devon Chamber of Commerce to lead the delivery of its membership, communications and events strategy. Following the pandemic, she was responsible for delivering the Government’s Kickstart initiative across Devon, which in turn led on to her managing the Devon & Somerset Local Skill Improvement Plan (LSIP). Helen has been a YMCA Trustee for over 6 years, with particular responsibility for Discovery College. Through her extensive business contacts with the Chamber Helen has been able to introduce a number of useful people and organisations to support the work of the executive team and Trustees.

Annette grew up in Plymouth not far from the YMCA in Honicknowle. As a youth she attended the ‘Kitto Centre’ and when the opportunity came along to get involved in supporting the YMCA it was something close to her heart. Annette has been actively engaged with the YMCA Plymouth since 2018. She really wanted to get involved with the charity that works hard to champion campaigns that benefit the youth, elderly and vulnerable within our local community. As part of her day job, Annette is a Managing Partner of a top 10 firm of accountants and has taken great pride in serving clients in their family businesses and charities and communities to help protect them financially over the years. She sees her role as helping private individuals through all major life events as a trusted advisor. As Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee she transfers her business acumen and financial skills towards supporting Mariella with overseeing the finance function alongside the other finance committee members.

Jeremy, originally from Northwest London, and was formally a warrant officer First Class, in the Royal Navy serving in the submarine service for 34 years. After his career in the Royal Navy, Jeremy joined YMCA Plymouth in 2009 as a Public Services Tutor, and Health & Safety coordinator, before becoming a Health and Safety and First Aid trainer in 2015. Whilst at YMCA Plymouth, I held the role of Health & Safety Coordinator, advising the senior management team on all aspects of Health and safety at work, as well as directing the facilities team on physical and administrative health and safety. Jeremy left the YMCA in 2017 and is now a Freelance Chartered Health & Safety Advisor/Trainer owner of NO Accident healthand safety training and solutions. Consultant to several companies across the south- west, and a member of the board of trustees at YMCA Plymouth.

John worked in the public service sector from leaving school in 1980 to retirement in 2025. A career in Dept of Employment covered work principally around youth training schemes and apprenticeships, supporting re-engagement and progression into work for young people unable to secure provision/work Post-16. Roles included contract management, audit, finance and UK/European Funded projects. On transferring to Plymouth LA in 2010 John worked extensively with local Schools/FE providers/Apprenticeship providers on raising participation of young people and providing advice and guidance on local opportunities. The role included procurement of learning provision for youth and adults and managing contracts for the local Careers Service. A major component was the PCC/YMCA contract for Discovery College. In John’s spare time he enjoys time outdoors on Dartmoor and around the SW CoastPath and he is a keen sports fan.

Lawrence is the vicar of St Pancras Church, Pennycross, and the city dean for Plymouth. He has been involved in church and community work in Plymouth for the past 10 years. He has also served as part- time Anglican chaplain at the University of Plymouth and is a volunteer chaplain at All Saints Church of England Academy. Lawrence is a trustee for Transforming Plymouth Together and the Plymouth Partnership in Mission. Before coming to Plymouth, Lawrence was involved in education, publishing and academic research in London and China. He is married to Jessica, a medical doctor, and they have three school-aged children.

Graeme was born and raised in Plymouth, and has a background in Local Government, as a Senior Human Resources Officer providing support to schools and governing bodies in the City, for more than 40 years. He then worked as a HR Consultant for Plymouth Learning Partnership before retiring. Now retired Graeme enjoys the outdoor life exploring the moors and coastal footpaths, still dreaming about Plymouth Argyle in the Premier league.

John Coates brings a wealth of strategic leadership and technical expertise to the Board, underpinned by a distinguished career in engineering and project management. A graduate of RAF College, Cranwell, John served as an RAF Engineer Officer for nearly two decades before transitioning into systems engineering & project management and later specialising in patent translation and litigation. John has a deep-rooted passion for our Plymouth community and was a former president of the Plymouth Roatary Club. John has served as a Trustee of YMCA Plymouth since 2014, leading the organisation as Chairman from 2016 to 2023. His extensive governance experience is further complemented by his ongoing role as Chairman of the Dolphin Owners Right to Manage Co Ltd.

David Tytherleigh has been a YMCA Plymouth Trustee since 2023. His full time role is as a Supply Chain Director working in Defence for Babcock International for the last 23 years. He has a wide business background in Supply Chain, Finance, Commercial, Strategy and Change Management. David’s specialism is Supply Chain Management and is a Fellow for the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. Prior to this David was a governor at the Southernway Federation and became the Chair of Governors to lead the federation into becoming Discover Multi Academy Trust.