Foundation announces new Board of Trustees members

Manchester United Foundation is delighted to announce Jonathan Badyal and Saul Becker as new members of its Board of Trustees.

Led by Collette Roche – Chair of Trustees and chief operating officer of Manchester United – the Manchester United Foundation board met the newest members at Old Trafford on 18 June.

Badyal and Becker were voted on the board in March, and each bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Foundation.

Jonathan is a partner at Trafalgar Strategy, where he advises CEOs and world-renowned creatives on communications, reputation and strategy. He previously spent eight years at Universal Music, latterly as Director of Communications for the UK business, and five years advising the UK Government’s Culture and Digital Minister on policy and communications, where he developed a passion for widening access for young people to creative industries. Jonathan is also a Senior Adviser to the executive search firm Saxton Bampfylde, Deputy Chair of the Black Country Living Museum and Interim Chair at the National Academy for Social Prescribing.

On his new appointment Jonathan said: “As a lifelong Manchester United fan, I have admired the work of the Foundation from afar. One thing that has been a constant and passionate focus of mine during my career is supporting young people and improving life chances, so to be able to support the life-changing work the Foundation delivers is truly an honour and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Professor Saul Becker is Head of the Faculty of Health and Education, and Founding Director of the Institute for Children’s Futures, at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is a pioneer and world expert on young carers. He advises governments, policy makers and practitioners around the world and was named by Universities UK as one of the ‘Nation’s Lifesavers’, a group of 100 individuals or groups based in universities whose work is ‘making a life-changing difference’.

Saul said: “The Foundation transforms lives, and that’s what I want to do, too. Over the last 40 years I have campaigned for children and communities that have been especially disadvantaged, so I’m looking forward to supporting the Foundation’s work directly with young people to build their confidence, resilience, knowledge and skills – their futures.”

Collette Roche said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Jonathan and Saul to Manchester United Foundation. Not only do they bring to the board a wealth of experience and expertise, but a dedicated passion for improving the lives of young people.

“It is important that we continue to evolve as an organisation and I’m sure they will offer an invaluable new perspective to the governance and future of the Foundation.”

The Manchester United Foundation board is responsible for governance of the club’s associated charity; you can see the full list of Trustees here.

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