Hello…

I’m John May; a charity chief executive, writer, volunteer and former teacher. Since leaving school (finally) in my early thirties, I’ve spent nearly thirty years in charity leadership, working with volunteers, businesses and governments to widen opportunities and bring about change.

I lead Cats Protection, working with around 1,000 colleagues and 10,000 volunteers across the UK. Before that, I led The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, supporting a worldwide movement reaching more than a million young people in over 130 countries and territories. I’ve also led Young Enterprise and Career Academies UK, now Career Ready, connecting education with the world of work.

Alongside my professional life, I’ve volunteered with Scouting for more than forty years, locally and internationally. Closer to home, I chair Oxfordshire Youth and volunteer with Oxfordshire Charity Mentors, supporting other charity leaders as they work through the challenges of running their organisations. These commitments keep me learning, introduce me to people I might otherwise never meet, and give me the chance to put my experience to practical use.

This website brings together what I’ve learned along the way, alongside the things that interest and amuse me. You’ll find writing on leadership, volunteering, young people and animal welfare, as well as Oxfordshire life, travel, books and the occasional diversion in search of a decent meal.

Once a teacher, always a teacher. So pull your socks up and tuck your shirt in, please.