David Mellis joined Onside in April 2017, a charity that has developed a range of spectacular youth centres in the Northwest and is now targeting London. After 6 years at The Prince’s Trust and 10 years redeveloping The Salmon Youth Centre in London, David has advised on millions of pounds of investment in young people.

Trained as an engineer with at Warwick and Cranfield, he started his career in overseas development in Africa.  He lives south London and has two secondary age boys. David supports private sector involvement in the new Youth Zones planned for London, starting with Croydon.