Tom Foot

I am pleased to nominate Tom Foot for the Third Sector Award for Charity Chair of the Year in recognition of their outstanding leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ young people (YP).

As Chair of Breakout Youth, Tom has provided exceptional strategic direction during a period of significant growth and increasing demand for services. They have played a pivotal role in strengthening governance, improving organisational sustainability, creating our 5 Year Strategy and ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ YP remain at the heart of all decision-making.

Under their leadership, the charity has expanded its reach and impact, delivering safe, inclusive, and life-affirming support services to some of the most vulnerable YP in society. They have championed equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the organisation, while also fostering a strong, values-driven board culture rooted in collaboration and accountability.

Their leadership has not only strengthened the organisation internally but has also had a tangible impact on the wellbeing, confidence, and safety of the YP it serves. Tom exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding charity chair-combining strategic insight with deep compassion and a relentless commitment to inclusion and directly supporting the CEO to enact the 5 Year Strategy.

For these reasons, I strongly commend Tom for the Charity Chair of the Year Award.