Honorary degree for Peterborough YMCA boss

The CEO of the YMCA in Peterborough will receive an honorary degree at a ceremony in the city.
Jonathan MartinJonathan Martin
Jonathan Martin

Jonathan Martin, the CEO of YMCA Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, is to receive an honorary degree from Anglia Ruskin University during a graduation ceremony at Peterborough Cathedral in October.

Jonathan, an esteemed Anglia Ruskin alumnus, joined the YMCA in 1991, initially taking up a role in housing where he was responsible for sourcing and allocating accommodation for 16 to 25-year-olds with medium to high needs.

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He progressed within the YMCA, driving change and delivering service enhancements in areas such as youth programmes, health and fitness, operations, and development.

In 2002, he graduated from Anglia Ruskin with a Diploma in Management Studies, and in 2004 he led the merger of two regional YMCAs to form YMCA Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. He was appointed CEO the following year.

In 2009, Jonathan led the YMCA’s takeover of The Cresset Theatre in Peterborough, helping to safeguard a valued community asset, which includes a 680-seat theatre that hosts both major stars and local performing arts groups.

He currently serves on Cambridgeshire’s Health and Wellbeing Board, the Safeguarding Board, and he is a Trustee with local community development charity, Gladstone Connect. He also represented the voluntary sector on the Department for Education’s Task Force on School Exclusions, is Chair of the YMCA’s Chief Executives Network, and serves on the YMCA’s World Urban Network Executive Council.

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Jonathan will receive the award of Honorary Fellow during the ceremony on Wednesday, 4 October, at Peterborough Cathedral, alongside hundreds of Peterborough students graduating from Anglia Ruskin this year.

Professor Iain Martin, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, said: “Jonathan has made an enormous contribution to local communities across our region, supporting social enterprise and the arts, and helping vulnerable young people to find their way in the world.

“He has consistently demonstrated real passion, determination and commitment to the people of our region. And as a frequent visitor to our university’s campuses, he will be an outstanding role model for our students.”

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