PRESS RELEASE : Youth Justice Board appointments [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 November 2024.
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has approved the appointment of Karin Phillips MBE as a member of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) from 1 November 2024 until 30 September 2025.
Ministers consulted the Commissioner for Public Appointments before making the appointment which will ensure that the YJB has a board member, with experience and knowledge of Wales, while a recruitment exercise is run.
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has also approved that the second term of Keith Fraser, the Chair of the YJB Chair, be extended from 14 April 2025 until 31 December 2025.
Karin Phillips MBE
Karin is currently a school governor at a high school in Cardiff, where she serves as the lead governor for music, drama, and safeguarding. Previously, she held the position of vice chair on the governing body of a primary school. Following several years in medical research, she transitioned to the Government Statistical Service. Mrs Phillips has held multiple positions within the Welsh Government, including the role of Deputy Director for Community Safety.
In recognition of her contributions to Community Safety in Wales and to the community in Cardiff, she was honoured with the MBE in the 2014 New Year Honours List.
Keith Fraser YJB Chair
Keith was appointed YJB Chair on 14 April 2020 and was subsequently reappointed on 14 April 2023. Keith is: Non-Executive Director/Trustee at The Work Force Development Trust; Committee Member for the Youth Endowment Fund; Patron for Employability UK. Keith was made a Commissioner for the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities on 16 July 2020.
Prior to this, Keith was a Superintendent and Chief Inspector in the West Midlands Police, during which time he produced the 2016-19 Preventing Gang Involvement and Youth Violence strategy, having previously joined the Metropolitan Police Service as a Constable.
All did not declare any political activity.
The YJB is a non-departmental public body, responsible for overseeing the youth justice system in England and Wales. Its primary function is to monitor the operation of the youth justice system and the provision of youth justice services.
Appointments to the YJB are made by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Appointments and Reappointments comply with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.
