About us Our Team Our Team Headliners (UK) is governed by a Board of Trustees who come from different walks of life including former participants in the Headliners programme. For profiles of our Trustees, please click here Senior Management Team Headliners (UK) is managed by the Chief Executive supported by a dedicated staff team. Our project managers and officers deliver the projects with young people across the UK. James Hunt Role: Chief Executive James has worked in the charity sector for over 16 years, starting out as a capital appeal fundraiser to build South London's first children's hospice. Since then he has worked for a variety of charities that all had one purpose - to support vulnerable communities and to give people a voice. As a fundraiser he has worked to build state of the art operating theatres at the Royal Brompton Hospital, raised funds at Lifelites to put amazing special technology into children's hospices to give young people a voice when they physically can't speak, supported young people to become independent through the arts at The Orpheus Centre and for 4 years he helped The Haemophilia Society find its voice and build the charity to become the world leader in advocacy for people with bleeding disorders. Before this, James worked in theatre and entertainment and spent 10 years as a Stage Manager, Production Manager and Company Manager, touring the UK and beyond. Every day had a new surprise, and the casts he worked with were from all walks of life. He spent years doing Panto with the likes of Stephen Mulhern, Darren Day and Mr Blobby through to shows in Edinburgh with the late Joan Rivers. Outside of work, James is involved in local Government and has been a Councillor in a London Borough for 16 years. Twice Mayor of his Borough, he has spent his time working to support residents, and especially young people in the care of the Council. Being a corporate parent is important for him, and his family, and he supports the young people in the care system and those leavers as much as he can. If that was enough, he is a trustee of Bexley Scouts, Vice President of Greater London South East Scouts, a Non Exec Director of Bird College, Vice President of a British Legion branch and most recently he has joined the grants panel of Jeans for Genes, a charity that supports the genetic disorder community with grants. James is married to a nurse called Christine, and they have 2 sons and a very excitable (and old) springer Spaniel called Jasper. Working for Headliners UK is, as James puts it, AMAZING and he hopes with the support of everyone that can be inspired we can make it a charity for all young people, as a platform, to make their voices be heard further and much louder. Lisa Jones Role: Head of Programmes and Operations Lisa is London-based but manages the teams in Northern Ireland, the NE of England and London overseeing the operations and programme delivery for Headliners (UK). Her career began in private banking before moving to the third sector where she has worked for the past 15 years. During her time at Save the Children and The Salvation Army, her roles included project management, programme development and operations, safeguarding and anti-trafficking. She also spent a year as a volunteer teacher and youth worker in Burundi, Uganda, Haiti and the USA working for various international charities. Lisa completed Brave the Shave and her first skydive for two cancer charities and as an adventurous person has also been fortunate enough to complete 2 further skydives, coasteering and zorbing. She also loves the theatre, museums, galleries, photography and eating out. London: Chloe Ly Role: Project Officer - London Green Champions project I am Chloe, Project Officer as part of Headliners' London team. My first experience with Headliners was as a young person on the ‘Wild Action Programme’ they put together with The London Wildlife Trust. This was a project which encouraged us to engage more with our local environments (during the Pandemic) and address the barriers/issues regarding youth accessibility to London’s Green Spaces. I have since worked on the #UNFILTERED Project for Headliners (UK), with a similar aim to provide young people an unfiltered voice on the issues they face. I am now excited to be leading my own environmentally based project, London Green Champions which is a combination of my interests in the environment, youth mental health and sustainability. As both a project officer and delivery officer, I get to do all the best bits! I love creating projects and seeing the change they have first-hand on young people’s confidence and understanding of the world. Being a young person myself, I am grateful to be able to discuss and creatively act upon topics that I and other young people collectively care about. When I am not working, most of my free time is spent skateboarding, messing around with my friends, and eating a lot of good food! London: Ruby Punt Role: London Project Officer - Breaking Through the Headlines / Safe Spaces projects Hi, I’m Ruby and I am the London Projects Officer who will be delivering our Safe Spaces project and our Breaking Through the Headliners project. I am currently finishing my MA in Comparative Literature whilst also learning Korean and Mandarin. During my MA, I volunteered at the Student Publication Association as both Chair and Conference and Events Officer. This position taught me a lot about the inner workings of a charity as well as how to effectively run events and projects. My interest in Journalism and the Media stems from my undergraduate studies. Whilst studying for my BA in Comparative Literature, I also wrote for CUB Magazine, Queen Mary’s Arts and Entertainment publication. Over the course of my studies, I rose my way through CUB’s ranks from Contributor to Head Writer and then Editor-in-Chief. Outside of my work and studies, I enjoy blogging, reading and watching the latest Netflix show. When I can, I like to visit the theatre or travel. During my undergraduate studies, I completed an exchange year in Seoul which allowed me to travel around South Korea and China. I am excited to work with the wonderful team at Headliners (UK) and engage with young people about the many issues in our society. It is important that young people are given the opportunity to develop their thoughts and beliefs, I look forward to creating a warm environment to facilitate this North East: Holly Ayrton Role: North East Project Manager Hi, I’m Holly and I’m the North East Project Manager. I have been working with young people and in the third sector for over 9 years. During this time I have had the opportunity to work with lots of different community and youth groups, local authorities and charities. All of which make the North East and incredible and diverse place to live and work. I graduated from the University of Sunderland with a degree in Community and Youth Work Studies during this time I completed two university placements with Headliners. I love doing social action work with young people as I love seeing how much it empowers them and raises their voices in the community. I have always had an interest in Journalism and the Media and working for Headliners (UK) lets me combine my passions. In my spare time I enjoy getting outside and into nature, I love being by the sea or in a forest with my dogs. Nooshin Shabani Role: Project Officer - Safe Spaces project Hello, My name is Nooshin and I am based in the North East office. I have been working for Headliners since 2012. Most of the groups I have worked with have been LAC, developing short films and photography projects to get their voices heard, which I have a passion for. I have also previously been the NCS lead for South Tyneside, alongside piloting projects such as Digital Transitions and Tynesiders. I am currently working on the Safe Space's Hubs project funded by The Peoples Post Code Lottery. My degree is in Journalism, but I have a lot of experience managing young people and volunteers overseas for NGOS. I lived and worked in Ghana for 4 years, New Zealand for 1 year, and India for 4 months. I have also spent a lot of time Volunteering and backpacking in several parts of the world, including Nepal, South America, Vietnam etc. Outside of work I love to spend all day every day at the beach, rain or shine. Rob Austin Role: Project Officer - Aiming High and Safe Spaces projects Hey, I’m Rob. I am currently working with Headliners as the Project Officer working on several projects. My main project is Aiming-Hi, a project where I am working with young people from new, emerging and established communities in Tyne and Wear. My headliners journey started in 2015 when I became sessional youth worker to delivery National Citizen Service (NCS). During my time at Headliners (UK) I have worked with some amazing colleagues and young people and it’s amazing to see both staff and young people grow. I have huge passion for social action and often do a lot of social action outside of work by planning events for my local community. Wayne Madden Role: Project Officer - Digital Transitions Project Hi, I'm Wayne and I work as Project Officer on the Digital Transitions Project as part of the Headliners North East team. Having several years experience in youth work and delivery it's an absolute pleasure to join Headliners for the next exciting stage of my journey. Having originally trained in Journalism, I worked for the BBC and several commercial radio stations, before I began delivering workshops for young people in Photography, Media Studies and Journalism. This led to opportunities including working with Headliners North East delivering the National Citizenship Service from 2016. I've also been fortunate to have presented on local radio for over twenty years and worked with several great organisations in England, Scotland and my native Ireland. I love delivering projects and seeing the changes that occur in participants first hand; charting their development and witnessing what they're able to take from it. When I'm not working, I'm normally found gaming as well as attending concerts and spending time with my family. Shannon Hargreaves Role: Project Officer - Tyne on Your Side project My name is Shannon, I am a Project Officer for Tyne on Your Side as part of the Headliners’ North East team. My experience with Headliners (UK) started in early 2022 as a project assistant for the ‘Digital Transitions’ project. I have been picking up and learning so many new things since my time with Headliners (UK) and love every single minute! As someone who has experienced the care system and gone on to graduate with a degree in Fashion at Newcastle College, I have a new found passion to inspire and spread positive vibes and a creative flare amongst my colleagues and young people. In my spare time I love to walk my dog, spend time with my friends, getting creative and styling my outfits! Chris English Role: NCS Coordinator Hi I am Chris I am a new addition to the Headliners team as NCS Coordinator! I have worked with young people for 5 years now and have a degree from Sunderland University in Youth and Community Work studies. I pride my self in working with young people and always aim to support them in having a voice. I love to make a difference and in general like to have fun. My hobbies include gaming, football, going to the gym, spending time with my partner & friends and my dogs! Northern Ireland: