Internationally renowned children, care and caring expert Professor Saul Becker has been appointed by Manchester United Foundation as a member of its Board of Trustees.
Prof Becker, Head of Manchester Metropolitan’s Institute for Children’s Futures, brings a wealth of experience in supporting disadvantaged young communities, and will play a vital role in the running of the Foundation which uses football to engage and inspire young people.
Voted onto the Board in March, Prof Becker will harness his expertise in supporting disadvantaged young people to build better lives for themselves and unite the communities in which they live – also key aims of the Foundation.
Led by Collette Roche, Chair of Trustees and Chief Operating Officer of Manchester United, the Foundation Board met Prof Becker at Old Trafford yesterday (June 18) for his first meeting.
Prof Becker said: “It’s an honour to be selected as a Manchester United Foundation Trustee. My own work during the last 40 years has been to identify, support and campaign for children, young people and communities that have been especially vulnerable, disadvantaged, excluded or at risk.
“I have done this through the power of research, teaching, practice, public engagement, community organising and civic action. My work at Manchester Metropolitan University is all about building better futures for children and young people, and I’m interested in supporting the Foundation’s schemes which work directly with young people to build their confidence, resilience, knowledge, and skills – their futures.”
Alongside his role at the University’s Institute for Children’s Futures and as Head of its Faculty of Health and Education, Prof Becker is widely known for his engagement with policy and practice. He is a registered social worker, community organiser and ambassador for youth charities, and has published 600 academic publications and conference papers, funded by a range of UK and international organisations.
He is a respected voice on the challenges faced by disadvantaged young people, including an interview for an ITV documentary on young carers, and being called as an expert witness for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers.
Collette Roche, Chief Operating Officer at Manchester United and Chair of Trustees of the Manchester United Foundation Board, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Saul to Manchester United Foundation. Not only does he bring to the board a wealth of experience and expertise, but a dedicated passion for improving the lives of young people.
“It is important that we continue to evolve as an organisation and I’m sure he will offer an invaluable new perspective to the governance and future of the Foundation.”
This latest appointment continues Manchester Met’s relationship with Manchester United Foundation, following the Foundation’s award of scholarship places to students on the BSc (Hons) Sport and Youth Leadership degree. Named after University honorary graduates Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, the scholarship places provide students with the tools and skills they need to help transform young lives through football.
