Helen Pitchford and Chris Allen have been appointed to the board of Junior Achievement Isle of Man.
Chris Allen, who was educated in England and holds an Honours degree in mechanical engineering, moved to the Isle of Man in 1999 to join the aerospace manufacturing sector, first working for Ronaldsway Aircraft Company in Ballasalla then Smiths Aerospace, GE Aviation and latterly for the Triumph Group in Onchan where he is director and general manager.
Prior to relocating to the Island Mr Allen held a range of roles in engineering and manufacturing businesses engaged in the aerospace, automotive and motorcycle sectors.
He has a keen interest in sharing his experience to the betterment of the Island’s engineering sector and in helping young people’s career development. This he does through his work as chair of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce’s manufacturing and technical industries committee and with the chamber’s engineering sector skills group which he chaired for seven years. He has played a key role in developing the ACE (Awareness of Careers in Engineering) programme in schools and establishing new engineering apprenticeship programmes at the Isle of Man College.
He said: ‘I am pleased to be appointed to the board of Junior Achievement. I have long been aware of the great work it does in our schools to help prepare young people for the world of work.
‘The charity’s work is now more relevant than ever and I recognise the importance of engaging with and encouraging young people to succeed and contribute to our future economic growth potential. The board of Junior Achievement board has a good mix of skills and experience and I'm looking forward to working with my fellow members and with chief executive Sue Cook and her highly motivated team.’
Helen Pitchford is responsible for all aspects of Appleby’s business development, marketing and communications strategy, including client relationship management, digital marketing, brand development, public relations and other external and internal communications. She works closely with the chairman and managing partner of Appleby as well as with global heads of the Group’s core practices to develop the strategy.
She manages a team of approximately 20 members across the world who help develop and implement marketing and business development programmes. She has spent more than 20 years in professional services marketing including time in London working for Ernst & Young and SJ Berwin LLP.
Of her appointment she said: ‘I am honoured to have been invited to join the board of Junior Achievement. The charity does an amazing job and I share its commitment to help equip young people with the essential skills they’ll need when they leave full-time education and have to cope with what is an increasingly tough jobs market.
‘Appleby is a global legal and fiduciary services provider that takes its role in the community and encouraging young people’s career development extremely seriously. It was for this reason we set up the Appleby Academy, run in partnership with Junior Achievement, to mentor and give students real-life experience of working in an international organisation.
‘With its strong board and enthusiastic team headed by Sue Cook there are exciting times ahead for Junior Achievement and I am looking forward to being being able to contribute to that future.’
Sue Cook said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Helen and Chris to the board. Their skills and experience bring a broader representation of the Isle of Man economy to the board and will help shape our long-term strategy to offer the entrepreneurs of tomorrow a real-life view of the many aspects of the world of work.’
