Co-founder and Chairman of The Windsor Fellowship, a national non-profit, and Co-founder of The Centre for Inclusive Leadership, Linbert Spencer OBE has been appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees for Y Care International.
Linbert is an accomplished international consultant, trainer and coach who has been helping organisations and individuals to transform themselves for more than 30 years. With a background in community development, he specialises in inclusion, leadership, performance management as well as executive coaching. Linbert has facilitated learning and development seminars and workshops across more than 20 countries, including the UK.
Alongside his work in organisational transformation, Linbert has appeared in many documentary television and radio programmes including two appearances on the BBC’s Question Time. He is the author of several books, including The Diversity Pocket Book and Building a Multi-ethnic Church. Linbert is also a former professional actor and television presenter, and a committed Christian.
Linbert’s appointment will help Y Care International deepen its strong commitment to diversity and inclusion agendas. It was this commitment, combined with the organisation’s approach to decolonised and locally-led partnerships, which attracted Linbert to the role. Linbert’s expertise in this area will help Y Care International as it strives to be an even more inclusive and diverse organisation, supported by a rejuvenated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy recently adopted by the Board of Trustees. His passion for decolonised development will also ensure that this remains at the forefront of governance discussions and oversight, as well as in the daily operations of the charity.
Speaking on his appointment, Linbert said: ‘It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to play a role in an organisation that’s engaged in actively supporting sustainable, locally owned solutions to some of the problems faced by some of the poorest, most vulnerable and excluded people on the planet. I’m very much looking forward to doing all I can to add value to the work of the organisation and leading the Board of Trustees as we provide good governance, and support and challenge Y Care International’s committed, professional and effective staff who are making a difference in the world every day through the work that they do.’
Linbert replaces outgoing Chair of the Board Dr Louise Brooke-Smith OBE, who served as Chair for Y Care International following the organisation’s partnership with Y Care International in September 2021. ‘During my time as Chair of the Board, we have seen an incredible period of change – both as a global community, as we navigated the impacts of Covid-19, and more specifically within the Y Care International movement. Together, we have charted a course amid shifting public perceptions of international development, changes to government priorities, and of course, our new partnership with Y Care International – all with our incredible partners around the world, and the communities they serve, as the heartbeat of all that we do. It has been an honour to work with a fabulous Board and a committed and passionate executive team, and I am immensely proud of all that has been achieved during the past six years. As we all get used to living with the impact of the pandemic, and with an eye on the grave situation in Eastern Europe, I can think of no better person than Linbert to steer Y Care International into a bold and resilient future.’
Graeme Hodge, Chief Executive, said ‘We are deeply grateful to Louise for her guidance and support for Y Care International during her time as Chair of the Board of Trustees. As we look towards the future, we are immensely excited about the ways that the Y Care International movement will benefit from Linbert’s wealth of wisdom, expertise and experience – and know that under his guidance we can continue to work towards a future in which every person’s potential is fulfilled.’
More information about Y Care International’s Board of Trustees can be found here.