Young Advisory Committee

The Young Advisory Committee (YAC) exists to empower under-35s within CA member organisations to influence the long-term sustainable future of the Cambridge city region. This role is fulfilled through a number of working groups/subgroups that produce research, organise events and engage with the wider community.

The Committee’s active subgroups focus on:

  • Future of Work
  • Culture Through Place
  • YAC Policy Group
  • Sustainability in the Built Environment

Committee Sub Groups

Our primary goal is to empower young professionals under 35 who live or work in Cambridge, especially those employed by Cambridge Ahead members, by giving them a platform to share their ideas and opinions. We also support employers in Cambridge, with an emphasis on office-based professional services and knowledge-driven organisations. Additionally, we recognise that our initiatives may resonate with a broader audience, including academic and educational institutions, as well as local and national government.

Future of Work

The YAC Future of Work subgroup is driven by a commitment to understanding and shaping the drivers that are revolutionising how work is done, organised, and perceived. We analyse the profound impact of emerging technologies and pivotal societal shifts, focusing on how these transformations influence productivity, job satisfaction, economic structures, and work-life balance. Our purpose is to amplify the voices and perspectives of those under 35, ensuring their needs and expectations are at the forefront of the future of work.

 

Culture Through Place

The Culture subgroup facilitates conversations to uncover Cambridge’s unique identity and how it is perceived by young professionals in the city. Through qualitative insights, we aim to inspire action and equip employers, local authorities and the wider community to create meaningful change in the city.

YAC Policy Group

The YAC Policy Group is the agile and responsive policy arm of the YAC, translating the work of Cambridge Ahead and the YAC into impactful public policy. In particular, our mission is to ensure that the perspectives of young professionals in Cambridge are effectively represented and that their needs are understood by decision-makers.

Sustainability in the built environment

To make Cambridge a more sustainable place to live and work, by sharing insights and connecting people across the ecosystem, engaging our community on best practice and encouraging sustainable practices to benefit the environmental and reach net zero, so that young people in Cambridge can thrive for future generations.

Supporting the policy work of other YAC subgroups. On request, we will support other YAC subgroups to translate their work into policy messaging and engage with relevant policy makers.

Embarking on cross-cutting policy projects. We will quickly address emerging needs and opportunities that span multiple domains, beyond the scope of any single YAC subgroup. This may involve leading initiatives to influence and respond to policy issues through commissioning or conducting research, generating key messages, and engaging with policy makers.

Feeding into Cambridge Ahead initiatives.We will ensure that Cambridge Ahead’s public policy engagement reflects the views and priorities of Cambridge young professionals.

As part of this work, members of the YAC Policy Group will have opportunities for professional development through networking, learning new skills, and expanding their understanding of various policy areas.

Sustainability in the Built Environment

To make Cambridge a more sustainable place to live and work, by sharing insights and connecting people across the ecosystem, engaging our community on best practice and encouraging sustainable practices to benefit the environmental and reach net zero, so that young people in Cambridge can thrive for future generations. Members of the YAC have the opportunity to also sit on other CA groups to provide their insight into project work and to feed that back into the Committee.

Photo of office workers in a nice office - photo credit Redd Franciso: unsplash

News & Articles

Cambridge: A City of Quarters event

Watch our short video to learn more about the key messages of our City of Quarters report.

Cambridge Nature Network Project

The Young Advisory Committee is part of the Cambridge Nature Network project with the Wildlife Trust and Cambridge Past, Present and Future. The purpose of the project is to build a vision of an interconnected network of nature parks for the wildlife and people of the growing city of Cambridge.

Young Advisory Committee Interim Chair: James Curtis

James is the Business Development Manager for Morgan Sindall Construction’s Cambridge Business, having worked in the city and surrounding areas for  the last 6 years. He works across sectors from Health care and  Life Science to Education and Leisure projects with values from  £5m up to £100m+. With a background in Economics, he has a  keen eye on policy and a professional interest in making sure  developments are sustainable.

Outside of his professional responsibilities James is a key figure in the Cambridge Oxford Corridor Constructing Excellence Club and leads the early careers section. He is a competitive sailor with a few international trophies to his name and has hosted a craft beer podcast when otherwise not to busy.
Having initially been a part of the YAC for three years including contributing to the City of Quarters report, he knows the positive impact that the committee can have and the importance of making sure its voice is heard.
James said “I hugely valued my time on the YAC, both as an opportunity to grow personally and to make sure that my cohort who will be working in the City in 20/30/40 years have their chance to shape it. When Jacqui asked me to keep the Chair warm for her, I couldn’t say no”.

The Young Advisory Committee

Allia*: Natalie Boyle/Emmie Singleton
ARM*: George Gekov
Aviva Investors*:
Josh Robins
Barclays Bank*:
Liam Witten
Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of Cambridge*:
Burcu Sevde Selvi/Nina Jorden
Bidwells*:
Sebastian Corke
Birketts*:
Josie Beal
Brockton Everlast*:
George Lindsay
Brydell Partners*:
Yasmin Khan-Osborne
Cambridge Building Society*:
Christy Rattle
Cambridge United Foundation*:
Kieran Wood
Deloitte*:
Vendela Gambill
First Intuition*:
Chloe Mattick
Hill*:
Kiran Bacon
Howard Group*:
Thomas Bewes
Jagex*:
Maria Miu
Mills and Reeve*:
Claudia Habergham
Mission Street*:
Robin Creighton/Simona Malinova
Morgan Sindall*:
Ella Shuttleworth
Mott MacDonald*:
Finn Mason
RAND Europe*:
Ed Bryan
Rapleys*:
Charles Alexander
RG Carter*:
Harry Porter
Pigeon Investment Management*:
Emma Butler
Savills*:
Molly Eyles
SLB*:
Sarah Patterson/Weijia Du
St. John’s College*:
Erin Charles
TTP Group*:
Peter Jackson
Urban & Civic*:
Harriet Nicholls
University of Cambridge*:
Alastair Currie
Wellcome Sanger Institute*:
David Nicholson/Jessica Lloyd

*Member/Member Organisation

Cambridge Ahead: Dan Thorp, CEO, Andrew McGowan, Director of Programmes and Partnerships, Alex Rossiter, Senior Policy Manager, Emma Pritchard, Policy and Research Officer

Press enquiries
Henry Stark
Engagement Manager, Cambridge Ahead