UK Youth young trustee elected to B & Q Youth Board

For the past three months young people from across the country have been battling it out to secure a place on B&Q’s first ever Youth Board.

They faced a series of tough challenges that tested their business skills to the limit but there could only ever be nine winners.

The new board members pictured with Martyn Phillips, CEO are:

(From left to right) Mark Buckley 17 from Ringwood , Josh Watson 17 from Durham, Yahya Pandor 16 from Gloucester, Jaideep Wasu 17 from Bromley elected B&Q Youth Board CEO, Carys Jones 18 from Cardiff a Youth Voice member, Ben Pearson 17 from Bath, Jamie Taylor 18 from Oldham , Daniel Bettie 17 from Aberdare and Harris Aslam 16 from Fife.

Carys Jones is also a member of UK Youth Voice and has reported back to us on the process.

"I can't believe I made it on to the B&Q Youth Board! It was a tough process and I didn't even think I would make it through the first round, let alone make it into the final 9, from thousands!

I went to the finals at the B&Q Headquarters in Southampton on saturday, and really enjoyed the day. Everyone was so friendly and I got to meet loads of new people. I'm so happy to have made it onto the board, it's a rare opportunity that such a large company has given young people a voice and it's great to know that I'm a part of it! I can't wait to see the inner workings of the company. We've got a really strong team with great people, and I think we're going to work well together.

It's great to know that like UK Youth, B&Q believe in young people and are committed to giving them the opportunity to have their voices heard. Over the next year, the youth board is going to be looking at real problems being faced by the company and developing ways to tackle the problems. It's a great chance to show what young people can do!

The next time we will be meeting is at the end of October in the Isle of Wight, with B&Q and The Ellen MacArthur Foundation to really get to work - I can't wait!"

“I would like to say a huge well done to everyone that entered. The ambition and drive we’ve seen throughout the competition is truly inspirational. We look forward to starting work with our new Board next month" CEO of B&Q Martyn Phillips

“Opportunities like this are rare. The Youth Board offers tomorrow’s leaders a once in a lifetime opportunity to influence the way the nation shops and the way we do business.” Ellen MacArthur, round the world sailor and founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation