November 10, 2026
Youth Fed is delighted to welcome Philip Cox and Peter McCarthy as new Trustees, strengthening the charity’s Board with a wealth of experience across economic development, governance, leadership, people strategy and organisational transformation.
Philip Cox recently retired as Chief Executive of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and its successor, Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington. During his time in the role, he oversaw around £750 million of investment into the sub-regional economy.
Prior to this, Philip was a senior Whitehall civil servant, holding a number of significant roles including Principal Private Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister. His experience also includes oversight of the economic and social legacy programme for the 2012 Olympics, the sale of the Millennium Dome to create the O2 Arena, and a range of major rail projects.
Philip is now working in a voluntary capacity with a number of charities across Cheshire, including Youth Fed, and brings a strong understanding of the local landscape, strategic partnerships and the opportunities and challenges facing communities across the region.
Peter McCarthy is a board-level advisor and former HR Director with more than 45 years’ experience supporting Chairs, CEOs and boards across governance, organisational risk and strategic transformation.
Peter has worked across regulated, complex and stakeholder-intensive environments in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, including senior roles at Urenco and Norcros/H&R Johnson Tiles. His extensive board and non-executive experience includes Chair of the Ceramic Industry Training Board, membership of the National Skills Academy for Nuclear Employers Committee and the Duchy of Lancaster Magistrates Steering Group. He has also supported trustees through leadership transition and governance oversight within the hospice sector.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with an MBA from Keele University, Peter is particularly motivated by organisations that improve social mobility and
life chances for young people and communities. He brings a valuable combination of people strategy, governance expertise and practical board experience to his role with Youth Fed.
Youth Fed Chair Martin Pearson said:
“We are delighted to welcome Philip and Peter to the Youth Fed Board. Both bring significant experience and expertise, but equally important is their shared commitment to improving opportunities and life chances for young people. Their complementary skills will strengthen our governance and strategic thinking, and we look forward to working with them as Youth Fed continues to develop its services and its ambitions for young people across the North West.”
We are very pleased to welcome Philip and Peter to Youth Fed and look forward to the experience, insight and commitment they will bring to our Board and to our work supporting young people.