It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Liz Bavidge OBE. Liz recently stepped down from her position as Chair of the Board at Yorkshire Youth and Music - a post she diligently presided over for more than 20 years.

Firstly, here's a small selection of Liz's wealth of experience and achievements:

During the 1990s, Liz's main focus was working with women’s rights. Her roles included: National President at the National Council of Women of Great Britain, Elected Co-Chair of the Women’s National Commission and the Director of Women Returners’ Network. In 1997, she was awarded an OBE for services to women’s issues.

Since 1995, Liz has worked as a Consultant in Organisational Development as Director of Bavidge Consulting Limited, working with all sectors of the community and at all levels. Her extensive experience includes:

• Serving as a Board Member (often as Chair) for various charities and Yorkshire based organisations

• Serving as Chair of Fair Play Partnership developing strategies and partnerships to encourage under-represented people in the workforce to achieve their potential

• Designing and facilitating the development and training of trustee boards, NGOs, international committees and foreign governments (often around diversity and equality issues)

She gave countless keynote speeches on diversity and equality, speaking for organisations such as the DCA, the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission, Operation Black Vote and numerous other regional and national bodies. Her extensive radio and television broadcasting on equality and working issues included discussing topics on ‘Woman’s Hour’, ‘Any Questions?’ and ‘Working Lunch’.

Liz always offered experienced, knowledgeable and empathetic support ... and impeccably represented our charity and work with intelligence, wit and grace

Liz was well placed to lead our charity and held our work accountable to the highest standards. Liz recently decided to step down from our Board and we cannot express how grateful we are that she was our affectionately (and aptly) named "esteemed Chair". We welcome all those who would like to join us in celebrating her tenure (as our fantastic and fearless leader) for the last 20+ years of YYM's work with the most challenged young people growing up in our region.

Liz undoubtedly contributed a huge amount to the work we've done to improve the lives of some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in Yorkshire. She always offered experienced, knowledgeable and empathetic support to the young people, to our staff and to the rest of the Board and impeccably represented our charity and work with intelligence, wit and grace.

We thank you, Liz, with all our heart.