Former BBC Sport reporter Dominic Cotton will become interim chief executive when current chief executive Charlotte Hill leaves in April to lead social action campaign Step Up To Serve.
Cotton joined the charity three years ago as director of communications and income generation, having previously worked as project manager of community sports at the Media Trust.
Before then he had a career in journalism, working for the BBC as a sports reporter and producer.
Cotton said he expects to hold the post for between six months and a year while the charity’s board considers a permanent replacement for Hill.
"After three years as a director, I have a detailed understanding of the organisation and the wider youth sector and have also been given total backing by our staff team," he added.
Anne Stoneham, chair of UK Youth’s trustees, said: “All of us at UK Youth will miss Charlotte’s leadership and infectious enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the work of the charity.
“We are delighted that Dominic has agreed to step up to lead the charity and are confident he will do a great job in further developing the work of UK Youth.”
