Our Executive Team
Tim Sweeting
Tim is passionate about equalising opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and families. Since 1999, he has worked across England developing and delivering programmes that help young people and families overcome crisis and enable them to reach their full potential.
As Chief Executive of YMCA Norfolk since 2009, Tim has led the expansion of safe housing and positive activities for local people including development of opportunities to engage with the arts, culture and heritage.
Tim is a trustee of Norfolk Museum’s Development Foundation, Norwich Theatre Royal and is involved in the governance of Norwich Cathedral in his role as Lay Canon. Tim is also a Director of the Norwich Business Improvement District and sits on the Board of Norwich for Jobs.
Tim’s first contact with Norfolk came when studying History at the University of East Anglia in the 1990s and is very pleased to be settled back in Norwich with his wife and two children
Paul Light
Paul joined YMCA Norfolk in 2017 as Finance Director having worked for over twenty years in senior finance roles in higher education and other public benefit sectors.
Working as part of the Executive Team, Paul plays an active role in the charity’s management and strategic leadership and supports the overall decision making process. He has specific responsibilities in the areas of finance, performance and business improvement as the charity pursues its commitment to transform lives in challenging times.
Paul is also an active member of St Stephen’s church in Norwich, and coaches on the Christians Against Poverty money management course.
Darryl Smith
Darryl has worked in the social housing and social policy arena for since 1991 mainly with in a local government setting. This area of work has developed a drive to ensure everyone has a home to meet their needs whilst giving a platform to challenge inequality and disadvantage to particular groups such as young people and those experiencing domestic abuse. Darryl has been at YMCA Norfolk since 2013 in the role of Operations Director with responsibility for a wide portfolio of front line services which cover our Housing and Community services. Darryl has a passion for partnership working and plays an active part representing YMCA Norfolk on new initiatives such as Pathways tackling rough sleeping in Norwich.
In her drive to ensure a safe home is provided to those in need has led Darryl to undertake a range of voluntary roles; a particular one is as Chair of the Stable Door Housing Trust providing accommodation to those in need in her home town.
Working for a Christian Voluntary organisation has really enabled Darryl to bring her experiences from work together with a strong faith base into the delivery of our values and ethos , to ensure our young people and families get the best we offer we can make.
Jason Beattie
Jason joined YMCA Norfolk in June 2014 as Business Development Director after a 25-year career in food retail. Working at both Tesco and the Co-op Jason fulfilled many roles including shop management, marketing, buying, operations management, business development and new store acquisition. One of the highlights of his retail career was running the graduate trainee management programme.
Jason is passionate that young people of all backgrounds can connect with their personal goals and that they are given opportunities to fulfil their potential. Jason’s role at YMCA Norfolk is to shape the programme offer for young people we serve and to ensure that there is sufficient income to provide opportunities and the 1 to 1 coaching for the young people that is so vital.
Jason is also an active member of the Salvation Army in Norwich, a bandsman for 28 years and member of the church business committee.