Meet our Trustees

FLORENCE AMBROSE

Flo is Head of Performance, Programming and Faculties at the Royal College of Music where she has worked since 2007. In her role at the RCM, she manages the artistic programme whilst overseeing the strategic planning and scheduling of events. In 2017 she received Honorary membership of the Royal College of Music.

Flo vividly remembers performing in a Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall on the double bass which confirmed her desire to work in music. Previously she was a trustee of One Youth Dance and the chair of Street Orchestra Live.

SIMON BULL

Simon joined Music for Youth in 2020 and brings fundraising and business development expertise. Simon originally trained as a musician, studying trombone and conducting and has shared the stage with artists like Sir Roger Norrington, Allan Vizzutti, Randy Brecker, and Bill Watrous. As a fundraiser, Simon led teams achieving multi-million pound targets across different sectors. He now works in CSR. He also finds time to serve as Music Director for Richmond Music Trust, leveraging 22 years of teaching and performing experience. He supports Music for Youth because he believes all young people should have the opportunity to perform music, no matter their background, instrument, or favourite genre.

CHRIS BROWN

Chris has worked at the National Education Union (and the National Union of Teachers before it) since 2002. He initially had policy and research roles at the Union and has been working on political affairs since 2006.  Chris studied Politics at the University of Liverpool. Before then he attended comprehensive schools in Newcastle upon Tyne. Chris is proud to support Music for Youth as he believes that all children should have the opportunity to access music education, regardless of their background and upbringing. 

ISABEL CHURCHER - Vice Chair

Isabel joined the Music for Youth Trustees in 2024 with a wealth of experience in arts, heritage and culture. Her focus has been enabling a wider variety of audiences to experience arts and culture, supporting workforce development and individual mentoring and coaching. She is currently Strategic Partnerships Manager at The National Archives Sector Leadership team, and most recently Senior Manager for national Museums Investment at Arts Council England. She previously managed museums throughout the Midlands focusing on audience and workforce development to enable greater access and diversity. She has a wealth of trustee experience and is also a life-long fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

TONY HARRIS - Chair

Professor Tony Harris is the Principal and an Executive Director of AD Education UK, a higher education provider comprising the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and the SAE Institute, with campuses in London, Leamington Spa, Liverpool, Leeds and Glasgow. He is a teacher, musician, composer and producer and a Professor of Music Education. Tony is also a non-executive member of the Academic Board of the Royal Northern College of Music, a trustee and Council Member of Birmingham Newman University, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Tony continues to create and release his own unique brand of music under his artist alter-ego Boring Phil.

COLLIN HILLS

Collin is a creative industry professional with over 15 years of experience. He currently serves as the Head of Creative Development at Be United, a charity dedicated to promoting the arts and culture of the Black and African-Caribbean community in Scotland. He is responsible for overseeing the organisation's creative arts strategy and direction and utilises his expertise to design and deliver innovative programs that provide a deeper level of support to Scotland’s Black creatives.

He is an advocate for young creatives and dedicates his time and energy to their support and advancement. As a filmmaker, musician and writer, he has used his talents to inspire and empower others throughout his career and he has helped to create more vibrant artistic communities, ensuring that the voices of young creatives are heard and celebrated.

ALEX MERCKX

Alex Merckx is a passionate amateur classical singer and oboist, based in Oxford. Her belief in the incredible benefit that music and performance offers, has come from both her childhood and that of her 3 children. Alex hopes that her experience working within the health tech and health charity industries as a Director of Marketing and Partnerships, might offer some valuable support to Music For Youth to ensure its continued success.

JON PELLUET - Vice Chair

Jon joined the Board of Music For Youth in March 2023, inspired by the vision and impact of the organisation’s work. He has been a senior fundraiser in the charity and arts sectors for nearly 20 years, and is Director of Development at The BRIT School, the world-famous free arts school in Croydon. Prior to that, Jon has been in senior leadership positions at Speech and Language UK, Revitalise, and FareShare, and was Trustee of arts organisations Drake Music and Stanley Arts.