Rob Cox

Rob is the Chief Executive of YMCA Northumberland. It is his role to lead our organisation in fulfilling our mission to strengthen our community through programmes that promote young people development. He oversees the strategic direction of our programmes, ensuring that they align with our values and serve the needs of young people in our community. 

Before joining YMCA Northumberland, Rob worked at YMCA Doncaster. He started there as an administrator and worked his way up to being the Facilities Manager until he left and moved up north in 2009.

Rob’s area of expertise is strategic planning, advocacy and leadership. The skills he brings to the team is leadership with a bit of humour, and a strong feeling about developing and bringing out the best in people. Rob is proud of so much that has been achieved during his time here but it is the lasting impact we have made to the lives of young people that makes him most proud.

Outside of YMCA Northumberland, Rob enjoys going to play table tennis every week which is a hobby that has stayed with him since he attended a youth club as a boy, and one thing that people might find surprising about Rob is that he has an extensive YMCA pin badge collection from all around the world that he treasures. 

The people who inspire Rob are the people who make a real difference to the lives of young people and take joy in it. Without the same type of people having an impact on Rob’s life as a young lad, he could have been in a completely different place to where he is now. 

Rob’s favorite thing about being part of YMCA Northumberland is having a sense of purpose but also being part of a worldwide family. He has been lucky enough in his first years with the YMCA to have been able to travel all over the world.

In Rob’s own words he is passionate, quirky and compassionate. Passionate because he hates injustice with the intensity of a thousand suns, whether it’s advocating for young people or arguing why pineapple does belong on pizza, he wears his heart on his sleeve. Quirky because life is too short to take everything seriously! He believes in finding the humour in every situation, whether it’s a hilarious team-building exercise or a good-natured debate over the best superhero. He aims to make our work environment fun, but promises he knows where to draw the line. And finally, compassionate, at the end of the day, he genuinely cares about our community and the young people we serve. His goal is to ensure that everyone feels valued and supported, while also having a good laugh along the way.

When it comes to problem solving, Rob likes to take a moment to assess the situation. He will gather all the facts, analyse the issue, and consult with his peers, it’s all about understanding the problem before diving in. He also firmly believes that humour is a powerful tool. When faced with a challenge, he likes to find the silver lining or the ridiculous side of things. After all, if we can’t laugh at our challenges, what’s the point?

Rob believes his most important contribution to the team is infusing a healthy dose of positivity and humour into everything we do. In a world where challenges can sometimes feel like a never-ending game of Whack-A-Mole, he strives to keep the atmosphere light and uplifting.

Throughout his career and especially at YMCA Northumberland, Rob has been fortunate to receive countless opportunities to soar and even to stumble, both experiences are equally vital for growth. Each chance to fly has been exhilarating, while every misstep has been a valuable lesson wrapped in a bit of humility. What truly stands out  to him is the unwavering support he’s had around him. Whether it was a teammate cheering him on or a mentor offering guidance, that safety net ensures he alway emerges from challenges not just unscathed, but enriched with new insights and resilience. Looking back, he realises how pivotal these moments have been in shaping who he is today. With each experience, he’s gathered wisdom and strength, making him all the more equipped to tackle whatever comes next. It’s a journey he wouldn’t trade for anything!

YMCA Northumberland