Zest is proud to announce a significant step in its mission to amplify youth voices: the appointment of two young trustees—Jessica Gomez-Ejimbe (24, originally from Lincoln and now based in Edinburgh) and Millie Hutchinson (23, from Hartlepool)—to its Board. Alongside them, Aija Sandhu (21, from Barnsley and currently studying in Leicester) steps into a newly created paid leadership role within Future Proof, Zest’s youth advisory board.

Established in 2007, Zest is a national touring arts organisation dedicated to creating space for young people to be heard. Using creativity to amplify their voices, Zest empowers the next generation to inspire change through theatre and cultural experiences. These appointments mark a significant milestone in Zest’s commitment to embedding youth voice at every level of the organisation. From creative projects to governance, Zest has spent years developing pathways for young people to lead confidently, shaping its work and contributing to a growing movement for youth leadership across the arts sector.

Artistic Director and CEO Toby Ealden shared his pride in this moment:
“I am incredibly proud to welcome Jessica, Millie, and Aija into these vital roles. We first met them in 2019 when they joined the local youth casts of Youthquake, a touring production inspired by the voices of 800 young people across the country. Youthquake’s narrative championed collaboration and co-leadership with young people to create societal change, profoundly shaping Zest’s approach. Its legacy is clear today as these remarkable young leaders step into governance roles—Jessica and Millie as trustees with legal responsibility for the organisation. This moment shows what’s possible when we truly empower young people to lead—a youthquake in action.”

A Celebration of Youth Leadership

The appointments are the culmination of a long-term vision to nurture leadership in meaningful and sustainable ways. They were made possible through Future Proof+, Zest’s Shadow Board initiative designed to prepare young people for governance.

Reflecting on her journey, Jessica said:
“Zest is an organisation that has continuously matched its values with its actions, and I am proud to repeatedly be an example of that. I am so thankful to the Zest Team and other Trustees for putting their trust in me and my development over the years, and I look forward to continuing to grow with them!”

Millie shared how her time with Zest has shaped her as a leader:
“Being accepted onto the Board as a Trustee is a huge leap from where I started with Zest, and everything we do is so close to my heart. Everything I’ve done with Zest and Future Proof has grown my confidence. These experiences have helped me develop professional communication skills.”

Aija added:
"I’m really excited to take on the new role and can’t wait to see what I can make of it. Personally, I am really happy I’ve been trusted with the responsibility of being the Co-Leader of Future Proof and a voice for other young people."

Inspiring Our Sector

At Zest, these roles reflect years of deliberate work to ensure young voices are invited and empowered to lead. Future Proof, launched in 2020, has established a culture where young people actively shape Zest’s work, from advising on strategy to rewriting the organisational values. Future Proof+, introduced in 2023, has extended this impact by equipping young people with the skills and confidence to contribute meaningfully to governance.

Toby added:
“Releasing young people as leaders across our organisation has brought energy, clarity, and a unique perspective that has transformed Zest in ways we never imagined. It’s been a privilege to walk alongside them on this journey, and we hope our work inspires others to explore how youth leadership can make their organisations stronger too.”

As Zest celebrates this milestone, it remains committed to fostering opportunities for young people to lead, co-create, and imagine new possibilities. By working with partners across the sector, Zest hopes to amplify the transformative power of youth voice and inspire others to do the same. Want to explore integrating Youth Leadership within your organisation? Then get in touch!