Trustees appoint a Chief Executive who is responsible for carrying out policy on their behalf. YHA employs a Chief Executive, and 7 directors responsible for all aspects of YHA’s work.
The current Chairman is Chris Darmon and the Chief Executive is Caroline White.
YHA employs up to 1350 staff in total, including approximately 600 who are seasonally employed, 500 employed all year round at Youth Hostels and 150 in the National Office at Matlock in Derbyshire.
Chris Darmon - Chairman
Chris was elected to the Chair at the AGM in 2007. He has had a lifelong interest and involvement in YHA which began on an Eagle Adventure Holiday in 1963, aged just 12.
Whilst studying geology at the University of Hull he lead groups of young fossil hunters on YHA Adventure Holidays at Ludlow and Boggle Hole, both hostels where he also served as a YHA seasonal assistant.
Upon graduation in 1974 Chris undertook a PGCE course at Keele University, which led to a position teaching geology at a Sheffield school. Whilst in Sheffield Chris renewed his interest in YHA and soon got involved as a volunteer in the Peak District. He rose through the YHA ranks to become first an area Chairman and then Chairman of Central Region, serving also on the Board of Trustees. He served 10 years as Vice Chairman before succeeding Chris Boulton as National Chairman.
Outside of YHA Chris is Chairman of Geo Supplies, a specialist supplier to geologists across the world. He continues to work in education as an adult tutor on his own classes and also for the University of Sheffield. He organises and leads geological tours across the UK and also to Iceland and Tenerife.
Chris is firmly committed to the charitable object of the YHA and believes passionately that this should guide and direct how we direct and manage the business. In the current recession YHA is not immune from the outside world. Like everyone it faces difficulties and will have to make some difficult decisions, but Chris believes it can become an even more important player in the year that lie ahead.
Caroline White - Chief Executive
Caroline White joined YHA on 1 April 2008 as Interim CEO following Roger Clarke's resignation and was subsequently appointed as Chief Executive.
From a working background in the voluntary sector, over the last 20 years Caroline has led small and large voluntary organisations including the English Churches Housing Group and the Alzheimer’s Society as well as operating her own consultancy. She is married, with a son and a daughter, and lives in London.