NCS Trust names Waitrose director as new chief
Fiona Simpson
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
The National Citizen Service (NCS) Trust has appointed Waitrose & Partners’ director for shop and trade as its new chief executive.
Mark Gifford will replace outgoing chief executive Michael Lynas on 2 March, leading the government’s flagship volunteering programme for 15- to 17-year-olds.
Gifford was appointed by trust members and a committee made up of by youth adviser to the NCS Trust board Jermain Jackman and four NCS graduates.
As well as leading 48,000 people employed by Waitrose & Partners, Gifford is also a chair of a school. According to the NCS Trust, he is credited with helping to uplift its Ofsted rating from "requires improvement" to "good".
Gifford said he was “delighted” to be joining the trust, bringing together "my skills in the private sector combined with interests in my private life".
“[The trust’s] mission of inspiring a generation of citizens through a shared experience that develops character and bridges social divides is something I am passionate about.
“Our mission isn’t to leave a better world for our young people, it is to leave better young people for the world,” he added.
Outgoing chief executive Lynas will remain as patron of the trust after announcing his decision to step down in September.
Brett Wigdortz OBE, NCS Trust chairman said: “This is an exciting time for NCS and I’m looking forward to welcoming Mark to our team on behalf of the young people of England and Northern Ireland.”
“As we look to the next decade, embedding our new network of partners and continuing to transform the lives of young people across England and Northern Ireland I’m confident that Mark is the best person to take us forward,” Wigdortz added.
Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: "I welcome Mark Gifford's appointment as the new chief executive of the NCS. I am confident that under his leadership, Mark will bring a fresh approach to how we support our young people through the organisation and help have a real, positive impact on their lives."
In November, the NCS rebranded with a new logo and a slogan of “No We Can” as part of a £3m advertising campaign.
In the same month, youth charity The Challenge went into administration after losing a major contract with the NCS.
