Team | The Mason Trust

We are a charitable organisation founded in 2008 by Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason OBE with the mission of inspiring young people to fulfil their potential.

Background

Having sold her business in 2005, Yvonne decided to set up The Mason Trust to give back to young people in the Norfolk and Suffolk region. Yvonne was recognised for her work with an OBE in 2020.

As a registered charity, the Mason Trust has has a board of trustees chaired by Yvonne, and a project delivery team based at The Mason Trust office.

The Trustees have a wealth of experience in the worlds of business and youth work between them and it is this combination of expertise that they want to use to help as many young people as possible in the area to fulfil their potential.

The delivery team also contains a great mix of talent from multiple sectors, allowing them to manage a diverse range of projects.

Meet the Team

The Mason Trust team are passionate about helping young people achieve their full potential. For a little more information about each of them please see below.

Carole

Operations Manager

Carole deals with our education programme which involves liaising with schools, colleges and industry to help establish and improve links between education and industry. Carole also leads on the development of the icanbea... website. If you would like further information please contact Carole on 01379 650041 or via email carole.opie-baker@themasontrust.org

Shae

Employment Support Mentor

Shae completed her Bachelor’s degree at Norwich University of the Arts before joining us as our Web and Social Media Assistant, though she's now working on our Mentoring Programmes! Shae is a film fanatic, who loves going to the cinema with her friends and baking anything involving chocolate in her spare time. You can reach Shae at shae.walsh@themasontrust.org and on 01379 658379

Rich

Website Development Manager

Rich has a wealth of experience in website management, systems scoping and content creation. He supports the development of the 'icanbea...' and Mason Trust websites, as well as other Trust initiatives. Rich has an interest in vintage computing and retro gaming and can often be found pulling computers to bits, though is banned from doing so in the office.. You can get hold of Rich on 01379 658369 or via richard.finn@themasontrust.org

Yvonne

Chair of Trustees

Norfolk born Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason OBE has 20+ years experience in the marine industry. She sold her former company in 2005 and decided to set up The Mason Trust with the mission of inspiring young people to fulfil their potential. Although Yvonne left school with a few qualifications she now realises the benefits of studying maths, geography and languages and how much they can help you in your future career. Yvonne was awarded her OBE in 2020 in recognition of the charity’s dedication to inspiring and empowering young people in our region. As key supporter of University Technical College Norfolk, Yvonne chairs their Industry Liaison Group. As for her day job, Yvonne is the Chief Executive Officer of the Future Marine Services group of companies comprising SafeSTS Limited and a number of overseas subsidiaries operating in the marine/energy sector.

Sam

Trustee

Sam has over 20 years of experience as a youth worker within both the voluntary and statutory sectors, and currently runs a successful community interest company - a social enterprise supporting Youth Workers. Sam enjoys working with young people, and has a First Class Honours Degree in Informal Education and holds a DipHE in Youth and Community Work. Away from work, Sam loves to travel, as well as spend time with friends, family and a mad spaniel called Woody.

Rob

Trustee

Rob is Norfolk born and bred. He is a qualified Youth Worker and works part time with a number of youth groups. Rob owns and runs a successful business in Diss.

Nicola

Trustee

Nicola has worked for Yvonne since 2000 and was an integral part of setting up and developing The Mason Trust from its inception in 2008. Nicola is HR & Corporate Compliance Director at Future Marine Services and was appointed to The Mason Trust Board of Trustees in March 2015. Outside work Nicola has a keen interest in school governance, having previously been Chair of Governors at her local primary school for 10 years and is currently Vice Chair of Governors at University Technical College Norfolk, holding Future Marine Services’ employer sponsor seat on the Board.