2OQuestions

Richard Nuttall is CEO of Shropshire Youth Support Trust, a Telford-based charity for 16-30 year olds not in employment or education. His own troubled start led him to aspire to really listen to young people and help them discover where their passions lie.

1Your full name please, including any embarrassing middle names Richard Craig Nuttall.

14Your favourite drink? I’m an avid coffee drinker, unfortunately!

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What do you do for a living? I’m chief executive of a registered charity. SYST supports young people to find self-belief and purpose. We encourage them to aspire to move forward in life, and provide practical and emotional support to help them to achieve their goals.

15If you had to take part in a reality TV show, which would you have best chance of winning? Strictly Come Dancing. I returned to dance as an adult when my life seemed pointless and auditioned for performing arts college in Liverpool at 25. Iwon a scholarship. It’s where I met my wife.

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Who shares your life? My amazing wife who supports me in everything, two wonderful boys, two dogs, one cat and a leopard gecko.

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What’s been the highlight of the past year?

There’s a few. Watching my eldest son compete in his first swimming race and win his heat. My wife receiving a well-deserved nomination at a national awards ceremony. Welcoming our new puppy. Hearing that SYST had been nominated for a Queen’s Award, and the success of one of our programmes due to the amazing progress made by the young people involved.

5And the worst moment? My father passing away.

6If you could come back as any animal, what would you be and why? Possibly an eagle. The thought of soaring, effortlessly, through the sky appeals to me.

16What is your guilty pleasure? I love toffee.

17When did you last laugh uncontrollably? It was recently, at something my boys were doing. I love to see them seemingly carefree and enjoying life.

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You’re hosting a celebrity dinner party for four guests – who’s on the list? Hugh Jackman, Maggie Smith, the Prime Minister (whoever is in office at the time) and King Charles.

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What’s your ‘desert island’ disc? ‘Dare’ by Stan Bush. “Dare to believe you can survive, You hold the future in your hands.” It’s a great affirmation song.

19Your favourite place in the world? Home with my family, or the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a relaxing place to visit and switch off for a while as you rarely get a phone signal!

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If you could have one superpower what would it be? Wolverine’s healing power. I suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Bell’s palsy and trigeminal neuralgia. I’m also coeliac and being treated for PTSD. To heal myself would be quite something.

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Who is your all-time hero? My wife. She is hands down the strongest person I know, and my biggest cheerleader and supporter in all the work I do at SYST. 10Any fears or phobias? Small enclosed spaces. 11

What would be the first thing you’d buy if you won the lottery? I’d upgrade our family cars.

12Do you have a dream job (other than the one you do)? To be supporting other organisations that support youths to better understand their mental barriers and help them to find purpose in their lives. 13

If you were representing your country in the Olympics which sport would you choose? If I was young and fit enough, either athletics or swimming.

20What is your proudest achievement so far? Graduating with a Master’s in Organisational Change and Development in 2022. I’d love to be nominated for an Honorary Doctorate in the next few years, to help me focus on research and make more headway in influencing organisations to really listen to young people. They have a lot to say.