Our team
Andrew Devenport /
Andrew Fiddaman / Anne-Marie Brennan / Sarah McMillan / Steve Metcalfe / Maarten Rooney / Gina Wallace / Aarti
Bajrangee / Mary
Mills-Brown / Sietske
van der Ploeg / Leon Taylor
/ Hoang-Anh Thi Le /
Allegra Whittaker /
Phoebe Ferris-Rotman / Greg Isaacs / Helen Gale
Chief Executive Officer: Andrew Devenport
I am the Chief Executive of Youth Business International. I
joined Youth Business International in May 2005, when it was a
programme of the International Business Leaders Forum, becoming CEO
of YBI when it became an independent organisation in August
2008.
Prior to joining YBI, I worked in investment banking for over 20
years primarily based in London, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Sydney. For
the last 17 years I worked for Goldman Sachs, and as a Managing
Director was variously responsible for developing debt capital
market, derivative and private placement businesses as well as
being very involved in recruiting, mentoring and internship
programmes.
Managing Director: Andrew Fiddaman
I have been involved with YBI since its inception. I became one
of the directors of the International Business Leaders Forum in
1996 following a long career with British Airways where I worked
for over 30 years in a variety of senior management positions
including 19 years overseas.
On my return to the UK I ran one of the airline’s subsidiary
companies and my last position was as senior manager of the
Community Relations department where I developed and managed the
airline’s international social responsibility programme.
Anne-Marie Brennan: Development Director
I joined the team in December 2008 as Development Director. My
key areas of responsibility include raising funding and other
resources for YBI and the network and also developing relationships
with strategic partners.
I have over 10 years experience in the public and private
sector, primarily in commercial and strategic roles. My most recent
roles include Programme Director and General Manager at BT Group
where I was responsible for large scale transformation projects and
managing complex stakeholder relationships.
Sarah McMillan: Operations Director
I joined the YBI team in January 2006. My focus is supporting
the growth and development of youth business programmes in all
aspects of operations, both through individual programme support
and through circulating knowledge, skills, and good practice so
that programme development can be made more efficient. I am also
responsible for ensuring that standards and quality in network
membership are maintained.
I have over 10 year’s experience working on youth issues and
organisational capacity-building at a strategic level within the
international development field. Prior to joining YBI I was based
in Nepal and worked in South Asia. I now travel extensively to all
parts of the network that need support.
Steve Metcalfe: Communications Director
I joined Youth Business International in June 2008 from the
International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), where I had worked in
the communications team for three years. My role at YBI is to
enhance awareness of the work that we do as well as the
achievements of the YBI Network.
Prior to my work in the NGO sector I was a journalist for
several business publications in London.
Maarten Rooney: Finance Director
I joined YBI in April 2008. My key responsibility is the
financial management of YBI. I’m also involved with the project
management of a lot of YBI’s activities. Before joining YBI I
worked at Accenture as a consultant in the Financial Services
division between 2003 and 2007.
In 2007 I spent 10 months working in Sri Lanka for the
Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce as a management advisor on
areas such as planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Gina Wallace:
Stakeholder Director
Gina Wallace joined YBI in 2005 from the International Business
Leaders Forum, where she worked in the corporate partnerships
team.
At YBI, Gina focuses on managing relationships with many of
YBI's donors and partners. She is currently on maternity leave.
Aarti Bajrangee: Finance Manager
I joined Youth Business International in April 2010, and am
responsible for all aspects of financial accounting and
reporting. I am a member of the Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants.
Prior to joining YBI, I worked in accountancy practices since
qualifying in 2001, specialising in charity accounts, audit,
taxation, governance, risk management systems and internal controls
framework. I am also the Finance Trustee of the Skin Care Campaign,
a not for profit organisation which campaigns for the needs of skin
care patients.
Mary Mills-Brown: Network Manager
My role includes project management of the
Entrepreneur of the Year competition, YBI conferences and other
major events. I also manage the Operations Management System
and grant proposals to programmes.
I joined YBI in 1999 shortly after its inception. Prior to that
I worked for a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, The Royal Family and
was a military policewoman in the British Army. I left YBI in
January 2008 to work for a leadership training company using
military training techniques but returned to YBI in December 2008
to the role of Network Manager.
Sietske
van der Ploeg: Operations Manager
At YBI my primary responsibilities are to focus on those
activities which promote the collection, management and
dissemination of programme operational knowledge and best practice.
This includes performance management, knowledge management and
providing operational support.
I have worked for international charities for the past 8 years,
in Zambia, the Netherlands and the UK. My roles have mainly focused
on programme development and providing technical support to NGOs in
the areas of planning, implementation, monitoring and
evaluation.
Leon Taylor: Office Manager
I joined Youth Business International in 2006 as an
Administrative Assistant and I am now the Office Manager for YBI. I
am responsible for organising and coordinating office operations
and procedures and also providing general administrative support
for the busy YBI team.
I have a qualification in Business Administration Studies at
C.I.T.E Associates.
Hoang-Anh Thi Le: Operations Manager
I joined the YBI team in August 2006. My key areas
of responsibility are to provide operational support and
guidance to pilot youth business programmes as well as to manage
the admissions process of potential programmes to the YBI Network.
I am also jointly responsible for the project management of grants
and the reporting to donors.
I have a BA in Politics from Nottingham University and an MSc in
Population and Development Studies from the London School of
Economics.
Allegra
Whittaker: Advocacy and Development Manager
My role is to support and contribute towards the delivery of
specific YBI projects, particularly in the areas of advocacy,
marketing and research, and to support the development of local
youth business programmes.
I joined YBI in February 2008 as Marketing Coordinator. I have a
BSc in International Business and French and last year finished my
MBA in International Business. I have worked for the International
Red Cross in Geneva, Absolute Return for Kids and Sotheby’s in
London.
Phoebe
Ferris-Rotman: Communications Officer
I joined the communications team in May 2010.
I am responsible for helping raise the profile of YBI's
work and highlighting the achievements of our global network.
My key areas of responsibility are to produce communication
material and develop and maintain YBI’s online presence.
I have a BA in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin
American Studies from the University of Manchester and an MA in
Journalism from City University.
Greg Isaacs: IT
Manager
I joined Youth Business International in June 2010 and am
responsible for the implementation and management of IT systems
across the organisation. I am principally involved with the
roll-out of the enhanced Operations Management System (OMS) which
will better meet the requirements of individual programmes as well
as helping to strengthen relations across the network.
Prior to joining YBI, I studied at the University of Manchester
and hold an MPhys degree in Physics.
Helen Gale:
Research and Policy Manager
I joined the YBI team full-time in June 2010, having volunteered
one-day-a-week over the previous year. Mine is a new role to make
YBI a more research-led organisation and to support Network
Partners in their policy work.
Prior to YBI I held research and policy positions across
politics, business and civil society, including leading
microfinance projects in East Africa and South East Asia.