Watch Now!

Reflect on the success of JLGB Virtual, and hear our CEO talk about the plan for the future of JLGB as part of our 125th anniversary!

Neil Martin OBE is a community leader, Chair of the Interfaith Youth Trust and Yom HaShoah UK, but is best known to us as the Chief Executive of JLGB.

Born and raised in Gants Hill, Neil grew up in the Essex Jewish Community, attending Ilford Jewish Primary School. It was at age 14 that Neil first joined JLGB as a member of Redbridge Band. After working in teaching young people skills in JLGB, it made sense that after graduating with his Masters in Digital Practises for the Arts and Media, Neil stayed on to lecture and share his knowledge for another 3 years – volunteering with Redbridge all the while, and becoming their conductor and musical director. A role that he continues to fulfil on a weekly basis.

In April 2005, Neil became Chief Executive of JLGB, and hasn’t looked back since! Neil has transformed the UK’s longest serving Jewish youth organisation JLGB into a double national award winning, thriving, innovative and much respected youth charity, not just in the Jewish Community but across wider society. Neil strongly believes every child really does matter, and has become a leading expert in creating faith and culturally sensitive provisions that remove barriers to universal youth programmes.

Neil was named the number three “Forty under 40” in May 2015 by the Jewish News and of course, in June 2016, Neil was also awarded his OBE for Services to Young People and Interfaith Relations in the Queen’s 90^th Birthday Honours List – in a week where he famously met Prince Charles 3 times in one week!

Though he hates to blow his own trumpet, after much persuasion, it is my absolute pleasure and honour to introduce the man responsible for the success of the organisation we love for 15 years. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome our honoured guest, Neil Martin OBE!