2 Dec 2025 | Emma Edwards
Hello, I’m Emma and I’m really excited to share that I’ve stepped into the role of CEO at Esteem. It’s been nearly 2 months now in my new role and as I settle in I feel a real mix of honour and healthy trepidation. But anyone who knows about my hobbies and love of theme parks will know I’m no stranger to a bit of excitement and adventure. Esteem has been a part of my life for the past nearly eight years. I began as a Project Manager entering a small team of 4 staff members just as the organisation received its first substantial grant from The National Lottery. Having worked with young people throughout my career, I arrived eager to bring my experience into a new context. I had no idea then how much both I and Esteem would grow in the years ahead.
I’ve now spent more than twenty years working in the youth and community sector. Esteem has been a huge part of my own professional development, supporting me through a Masters apprenticeship in strategic leadership a couple of years ago and giving me the chance to build projects, develop my financial skills, strengthen organisational practices, and manage a brilliant team of youth workers. It’s been a place where I’ve learned new things, stretched my thinking, and found real authenticity. Esteem is an ever learning and adaptive organisation and I’m keen to ensure this continues under my leadership.
One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed at Esteem is how intentional we’ve become. We’ve gotten better at asking the right questions, sharing knowledge, working smarter and really thinking about the difference we make, regularly checking in with ourselves to make sure we are listening properly, and doing this in the best way we can. This shift has strengthened the organisation, made us more connected as a team, and deepened the impact we see with young adults. I’m incredibly proud of this. And, unlike anywhere else I’ve worked, young people here are so open about the impact Esteem has had on them, and just as importantly, the impact they have had on Esteem.
I have a deep respect for young people navigating an ever changing world and have seen again and again how youth work changes lives. My career has taken me from inner-city projects in Lewisham and Cardiff to rural and coastal programmes across East and West Sussex. I’ve run detached sessions on cold winter nights, brought mobile skate ramps to small villages, set up youth clubs, done school work, organised conferences and music events, and had thousands of honest conversations about everything from relationships and conflict to wellbeing and self-worth. Youth work creates spaces where young adults can belong, be heard, and grow, and I’ve seen first hand the lasting difference it makes and the incredible people who make it possible.
As one part of the application process for the role, young adult interviewers asked candidates to submit one side of A4 on “The three qualities a CEO at Esteem should have.” It was a great question and the need to be precise forced my often busy brain to think about what was really needed and reminded me that participation is at the heart of what Esteem is all about. After much deliberation, word tennis and a very large mind map, here’s what I shared.
The three qualities a CEO at Esteem should have:
- Integrity which for me means doing what you say you’ll do. I’ve seen how often in society young adults are promised things that don’t happen, and I never want Esteem to be part of that cycle. Integrity is about honesty, respect, and living out your values even when no one is watching. It’s the thing that builds and grows trust – Trust being one of Esteem’s key values, the foundation of what we do.
- Collaboration. I’ve learned that the best outcomes always come from listening and working together – whether that’s with young adults, staff, volunteers or partners. None of us can do this alone, and the richness of different perspectives is what makes Esteem’s work real and relevant.
- Vision. I feel this is a key part of being a leader and often stepping out of the operational doing. It’s not just about having big ideas (although I’ve always got some of these handy), but about holding steady when things are tough, keeping the joy in the work, and helping everyone see how their part contributes to the bigger picture.
Looking ahead, I feel hopeful and excited. Esteem is a place where young adults can thrive, feel valued, and grow in confidence. Being part of that journey with them, and leading an organisation built on trust, respect and genuine participation, is something I feel really grateful for.
Despite a current challenging sector climate, I’m confident we have a bright future ahead, thanks to the incredible people I’ll be working alongside. The staff and leadership team at Esteem are truly inspiring, and the supportive, caring culture built under former CO Cat Vizor is something I’m proud to continue. It’s a privilege to be part of this team and to keep building something where young adults are truly the heart and drivers of it all.
Thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey so far. I can’t wait to see where we go together.
