A NEW CEO marks the beginning of the next phase for Humber-based charity CatZero, as founder member and CEO Dave Bertholini retires, with Adrian Tallon, whose recent roles include being Head of Education & Employability for the English Football League (EFL) Trust, taking the helm.
Adrian is best known for a decade of work with the EFL Trust before moving into a role as Head of Partnerships at the Cranfield School of Management, based in Bedfordshire. His wealth of experience in strategic development, and working with Government bodies and corporate partners, makes him the ideal person to take CatZero Humber into the future as it continues to develop and grow.
He commented: “I’m really excited and honoured to join CatZero, an incredibly unique and impactful charity, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Having spent my career to date in the education and employability sector, including almost ten years within the EFL Trust, developing national programmes and building partnerships across sectors, I am now looking forward to leading CatZero as we respond to the challenges individuals and families are continuing to face in the Humber region.
“I will be spending my first few months in post meeting with partners and stakeholders across the region, as well as current and past participants on our programmes”
“Since I joined the CatZero, I’ve been blown away by the skills and enthusiasm in the team, and the strong position the charity is currently in really is a testament to their hard work since CatZero was launched in 2008.”
Outgoing CEO Dave is a founder member of the charity, which began in Hull in 2008 and now works with veterans, long-term unemployed, families and young people across North East Lincolnshire, Goole, and Hull and East Riding. CatZero uses a 72-foot Challenge yacht as a tool for change, supporting participants with confidence building, teamwork, and routine.
Dave said: “I am immensely proud of what CatZero has become, from its humble, challenging beginnings to being an organisation that is nationally recognised for best practice for its work with our participants. CatZero is an organisation I feel is incredible and that is due to the amazing people that work and volunteer there.
“It also needs to be said that CatZero would never have existed without the commitment of so many people, but to name a few, our former Chair Jim Dick, trustees Charles Lewis and David Bishop, and the many businesses that have supported us and helped us along the way. And of course, the incredible team of staff I have worked with during this time.
“I have dedicated 15 years of my life to CatZero, it has been more than a job, and we have been planning my retirement for five years! I have recently moved up to the North Yorkshire Moors where I intend to enjoy the countryside and country living.
“I wish Adrian and the team the very best as they steer CatZero into the future.”
Chair of CatZero, Deb Oxley, said: “We wish Dave well in his retirement and he is leaving the organisation in the strongest of positions. Adrian brings a national level of experience from his time at the EFL Trust, and he brings new ideas and energy as we continue to develop the sustainability of CatZero for the future.”
As staff, participants, and new CEO Adrian bid Dave farewell, he leaves knowing that he does so with the mantra that has been at the forefront of the organisation since its start: “Once CatZero, Always CatZero.”
Find out more at www.catzero.org