Our senior leadership team is responsible for all aspects of Venture Trust’s work. The team have extensive experience working in the personal development, youth work, criminal justice, charity and outdoor learning sectors.
Jenny Paterson – CEO
Jenny brings a wealth of experience gathered across a long and varied career spanning more than 25 years, forged in…
Jenny Paterson – CEO
Jenny brings a wealth of experience gathered across a long and varied career spanning more than 25 years, forged in Scotland’s charity sector. A strong advocate for disability rights, equality and social justice, she has worked in senior leadership and executive roles in some of the UK and Scotland’s best known charities. Jenny spent over 11 years with social care charity Carr Gomm and was previously the director of the National Autistic Society Scotland. Jenny joins Venture Trust from her role as director of services and development with Victim Support Scotland, where she had been since 2021.
A keen wild swimmer, Jenny qualified as an open water swimming coach in 2021. During the pandemic, she started an open water swimming community for women called Wild Wimmin Swimmin, that has grown to almost 4000 members.
Gemma Jones – Director of Operations
Gemma joined Venture Trust in 2022 and she is responsible for our operations, including community outreach, wilderness journeys, employability, and…
Gemma Jones – Director of Operations
Gemma joined Venture Trust in 2022 and she is responsible for our operations, including community outreach, wilderness journeys, employability, and outdoor therapy.
Gemma has spent most of her career in not-for-profit organisations, delivering and leading services for young people including socio-educative programmes for young people at risk of exploitation, early intervention initiatives for vulnerable young people and large-scale pilot programmes finding creative ways to connect young people with the natural environment.
Gemma loves the outdoors, exploring by bike, and is a Trustee for Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
