Moving On – YMCA Black Country Group, CEO, Steve Clay

3 October 2022

After nearly nineteen years at the helm of YMCAs in the Black Country, Steve Clay has announced he is stepping down as CEO.

Steve was first recruited to the role of CEO of West Bromwich & District YMCA in December 2003, based at Carters Green. The role expanded as more projects were added and through the subsequent mergers with Wolverhampton YMCA and First Base Walsall. YMCA Black Country Group now supports around 12,000 children, young people and community members annually. It operates across 24 sites and employs around 200 staff.

Steve and his family recently moved to North Cambridgeshire following his wife’s appointment as Team Vicar of a local church. While Steve has been working in a hybrid manner, part home-based and part in the Black Country, he was recently offered and accepted a CEO position with a local Cambridge-based charity.

“It has been an absolute privilege to work for such an inspirational organisation, that is daily transforming young lives on a local, national and global scale, says Steve. I have enjoyed and valued being part of a network of entrepreneurial leaders. In fact, much of what has been achieved at YMCA Black Country, has been through building on the insight and support of other colleagues, for which I’m tremendously grateful. It has also been an honour to serve YMCA in regional, national and international roles over the years, and a particular blessing to have contributed in small part to enabling inclusive Christian Mission to be a dynamic relevant aspect of YMCA in the 21^st century.”

On behalf of the Board, Jeremy Oakley the current Chair comments: “We are tremendously grateful for all that Steve has given to YMCA Black Country and to the Movement as a whole through his many years of service. It is a mark of his servant-heartedness that he has put family first, relocating to support his wife in her new Ministry; and we wish him every success in his new voluntary sector CEO role in Cambridge.”