HEY Smile Foundation is delighted to announce we have appointed Jamie Lewis as our new Chief Executive.  Jamie will take over the reins of the charity from Andy Barber who has been in the role since Smile’s inception in 2008.   Jamie said: “I met Andy Barber several years ago and I thought I’d love to do his job, and I feel delighted to now have that opportunity!  I would like to pay tribute to the achievement of the Smile team, and the inspirational work of Andy.  The charity has grown enormously on Andy’s watch and Smile is now integral to the health of our region, demonstrated by taking the lead in the region’s response to the pandemic.”

“I am very much looking forward to working with the staff team and the Board of Trustees at Smile.  I am conscious that my tenure begins as we support the region through the cost-of-living crisis, and it is very important to me that Smile leads the way as we did in Covid.”

Smile prides itself in giving a voice to the voluntary sector at the strategic table across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, releasing assets for community use and inspiring positive action.  We aim to improve lives every day in communities.  Smile has a turnover of £1.5m that funds a portfolio of projects supporting improvement in health and happiness around the region.

In welcoming Jamie to Smile, Trish Dalby, its Chair said “I know that Jamie is excited to be joining us  from the private sector and his extensive experience in the public and charity sectors will also enable Smile to make the most of his expertise, energy and ambition.

As excited as we are to be welcoming Jamie to our team, we are equally sad to see Andy Barber leave us….. Andy has nurtured and developed Smile not only as an organisation but also its ethos and spirit.  Andy has grown Smile by inspiring and empowering the team and leading by example in his commitment and hard work.  The legacy that Andy leaves behind at Smile is tremendous and we know that his new role at Beverley Consolidated Charity will see it flourish in his new challenge and under his leadership.”

The appointment draws together Jamie’s skills and interests.  He leaves a position as Chief Operating Officer with a telecoms engineering company in the region.  Before that, he had worked in children’s social care, and having spent time in the care system as a child, he worked to better children’s life chances, joining East Riding of Yorkshire Council as a teenager before rising to become the Prevention and Education Manager.

Jamie is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Pride in Hull, and Chair of City of Hull Street Angels, as well as being a member of the Board of Trustees of Fitmums and Friends.  In addition, he is Chair of Governors at Frederick Holmes School, in Hull.