Appointment of new members to the Youth Justice Board

Angela Sarkis, John Wrangham and Jennifer Izekor have been appointed as new members of the Youth Justice Board and will take up their positions with immediate effect, Justice Minister David Hanson and Minister for Children Beverley Hughes announced today.

Justice Minister David Hanson said:

‘I am very pleased to announce the appointments of Angela Sarkis, John Wrangham and Jennifer Izekor as members of the Youth Justice Board. Their considerable experience across the public and private sectors and particular expertise in working with young people will make a valuable contribution to the work of the YJB.’

Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes said:

‘The appointments of Angela Sarkis, John Wrangham, and Jennifer Izekor to the Youth Justice Board will add great value in helping to raise the profile of the important work the YJB carry out. I look forward to seeing how their wealth of experience working with young people will have an impact on the youth justice agenda.’

Angela Sarkis said:

‘I have a longstanding interest in youth justice and believe youth crime reduction and prevention is best achieved through a multi-agency approach which involves the participation of young people and their communities. The Youth Justice Board has a key role in achieving this aim and I am delighted to be joining the YJB Board and look forward to contributing my experience.’

John Wrangham said:

‘I believe that youth offending services are best placed to serve young people when they are effectively integrated with local partnership arrangements. I hope I can help contribute to the good work that already exists by raising the profile and understanding of youth justice in Wales.’

Jennifer Izekor said:

‘All young people have incredible potential and with the right support in place, those in the criminal justice system can go on to become active and productive citizens. I look forward to working with Frances Done and other members of the Board to support young people to move successfully out of the criminal justice system and reduce the numbers of those coming in.’

The appointments were made following an open selection process conducted under the guidance of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Notes to editors

1. The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is an executive non-departmental public body established under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to monitor the operation and performance of the youth justice system and to identify and disseminate good practice to prevent offending by children and young people. The Board is also responsible for commissioning services for young people under 18 who are sentenced and remanded to secure facilities.

2. These appointments are initially for three years, with an option for ministers to reappoint subject to the provisions of the public appointment code.

3. Angela Sarkis CBE has a range of relevant experience to bring to the Board. She spent 11 years as a Probation Officer at Middlesex Probation Service. She then held senior leadership roles with charitable organisations including the DIVERT Trust, Church Urban Fund and YMCA England. She has utilised her considerable skills and knowledge of vulnerable young people and communities as an Independent Management Consultant advising central government on issues across education, social exclusion, black and ethnic minorities, faith communities and charities.

4. Her current role is Chief Executive to the Nurture Group Network, a charitable organisation which promotes and supports the development of specialist support for vulnerable children within mainstream education. Angela has a wide range of Board experience. She has been a BBC Governor, a founding member of: the Social Exclusion Unit at the Cabinet Office; The Correctional Services Board at the Home Office; and the House of Lords Appointments Commission. She was appointed to the Board of Capacity Builders in August 2008.

5. John Wrangham CBE is an experienced Social Services Senior Manager, having retired as Group Director of Social Services & Housing in Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2007 where he chaired the Youth Offending Board. Having served for 15 years in the Army John trained as a social worker and started work in youth justice in 1975 and went on to roles in child protection, community care, inspection and children’s services. He was also awarded a Churchill Fellowship to visit Youth Justice schemes of Diversion in America. He has worked for six Welsh local authorities during his career and has an extensive knowledge of children’s services and local government in Wales and experience of working with the Welsh Assembly Government. In a volunteering capacity John has been involved with the Army Cadet Force (Glamorgan Counties) Aberdare Youth Rugby Football Club, Chair of Governers of Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun (school) and is a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan.

6. Jennifer Izekor has held a number of senior strategic leadership roles in a range of sectors including Chief Executive of a large Connexions Partnership and as the Head of Infrastructure Development in the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services. She was also Director for Children and Learners at the Government Office for London until April 2009 and now manages her own Independent Training and Consultancy business working with Children and Young People's services in the public, private and voluntary sector. She has relevant experience of young people in the youth justice system through her role at the Government Office and previous experience with the Probation Service.

7. For more information please contact the Ministry of Justice press office on 020 3334 3536.

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