Chair announcement

After serving as Chair for over 10 years, Charlie Green will be stepping down from his role. We are immensely grateful for Charlie’s outstanding contributions over the years, and we are excited to welcome Matt Tate, Headteacher of Hartsdown Academy, as our new Chair.

Charlie Green has been pivotal throughout ThinkForward’s journey. Charlie was instrumental in championing the formation of ThinkForward, acting as a Trustee from 2010, and as Chair since 2014. Charlie’s commitment helped us grow into an independent charity in 2016 and his impact will continue to be felt for years to come. His leadership and passion have been a driving force in championing our cause, helping to develop ThinkForward into an organisation dedicated to improving education, employment and training outcomes for young people.

“It has been an honour to be part of ThinkForward’s growth and transformation over the years. It has been an immense privilege to witness both the work of ThinkForward’s very dedicated and talented staff and the amazing achievements and extraordinary personal development of so many young people who have been part of ThinkForward’s programmes. The work that ThinkForward does is truly unique and impactful. I’m confident that under Matt Tate’s leadership, the charity will continue to flourish and make a lasting difference.”

– Charlie Green

We are thrilled to welcome Matt Tate as our new Chair. Matt’s exceptional track record in improving educational outcomes and his commitment to social mobility align perfectly with ThinkForward’s mission. At Hartsdown Academy, Matt has spearheaded remarkable progress, including being recognised as the most improved secondary school in Kent and being awarded School of the Year for social mobility by upReach, due to improving destinations for all young people, particularly for those who receive pupil premium.

“I’m excited to begin my role as Chair and continue the incredible work ThinkForward is doing. I believe that every young person deserves the chance to succeed, and I look forward to working with the team to ensure that ThinkForward continues to provide the support young people need to achieve their full potential. ThinkForward has been delivering the FutureMe programme in Hartsdown Academy since 2018, so I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact it has for young people. I am looking forward to supporting ThinkForward’s growth as we enter our next phase of development during our new 5-year strategy.”

– Matt Tate

Ashley McCaul, CEO, added:

“We are deeply grateful to Charlie for his years of dedication and leadership. His vision and unwavering support have been instrumental in shaping ThinkForward into the charity it is today. We are excited to welcome Matt, whose experience and passion will guide us into our next chapter of growth and innovation. We look forward to working closely with him to continue our mission of transforming young people’s lives.”