Our Trustees
Our Trustees help guide the direction of The Zone, providing strategic leadership and governance to make sure we continue delivering high-quality support for young people in Plymouth. You can find out more about our Trustees here, including who they are, their experience, and the role they play in supporting our work.
Tanmayo Murray-Clark
I became a Trustee at The Zone in 2018 with the intention of using my skills and experience to add to the important work the charity does to support the mental health, wellbeing, homelessness, and sexual health needs of young people in Plymouth. Since then, demand for this joined-up and focused approach has continued to grow, alongside increasing complexity — often at a time when funding has reduced — making this work more important than ever.
I originally trained as a Civil Engineer and worked for over 30 years in London local government, holding a variety of senior roles across strategic planning, project delivery, operational leadership, and financial management. In 2010, I retrained as a psychotherapist, moved to Dartmoor, and following the completion of a five-year training programme, I have now been in private practice for 11 years.
My commitment to The Zone comes from a strong compassion for mental health and social justice, and a desire to play a small but meaningful part in addressing these issues at a local level. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me involved in community responses to the climate emergency, appreciating life in the splendour of Dartmoor, listening to novels, and spending time with my partner, family, and friends.
Chair
James Cook
TrusteeI joined The Zone as a Trustee in October 2025, bringing with me over a decade of experience in Digital and IT. Since 2011, I’ve worked with some of the South West’s largest and most respected organisations, including the University of Plymouth, The Range, Princess Yachts, and City College Plymouth. My professional background spans digital transformation, technology management, and delivering innovative IT solutions that improve organisational performance.
My connection to The Zone is deeply personal. My wife was a service user in 2018 and spent three years supported by the charity — an experience that inspired me to give back to an organisation that made such a positive difference in our lives. As a Trustee, I’m passionate about supporting The Zone’s mission and helping young people access the care, guidance, and opportunities they deserve.
Outside of my professional life, I’m an active charity fundraiser. I lead the Champion of Champions darts competition, which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local causes. My passion for community, technology, and youth development drives everything I do, both personally and professionally.
Julia Hughes
Trustee
Jaid Bennett
I became a Trustee at The Zone in 2023, driven by a deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people and young adults in Plymouth. Having worked in the young person’s sector for over ten years, I’ve seen first hand how the right support at the right time can transform lives. The Zone provides free, confidential support around mental health, wellbeing, homelessness, sexual health, and relationships, all vital areas where young people deserve access to safe spaces, trusted advice, and services that truly listen and respond to their needs.
My passion lies in ensuring that young people and young adults have a voice within The Zone’s service delivery, helping to shape support that reflects their lived experiences and priorities. I am particularly interested in how joined up services across the community can create meaningful, lasting change for those facing complex challenges.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my dog Frankie and family, making the most of Plymouth’s coast and green spaces.
Trustee
Sam Jones
TrusteeI became a Trustee of The Zone Plymouth out of a deep commitment to improving the life chances of young people and supporting those facing complex and diverse needs. My passion lies in empowering individuals to realise their potential through education, opportunity and compassionate guidance and The Zone’s mission to provide safe, inclusive, and transformative support for young people aligns perfectly with my personal and professional values.
As a self-driven, enthusiastic, and highly motivated Further Education professional and local business women, I bring over a decade of experience in teaching, learning, and leadership. My career has spanned roles in senior leadership and teaching delivery where I have developed a proven track record in educational excellence, staff development, and strategic leadership. A qualified QTLS practitioner and trauma-informed educator, I am passionate about creating environments where individuals feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow.
Alongside my educational background, I am also the Director of multiple local businesses which has further strengthened my leadership, governance, and operational management skills. Running community-focused businesses has taught me the importance of empathy, integrity, inclusivity and collaboration, values I bring to my role as Trustee.
My combined experience across education, business, and community engagement enables me to offer a well-rounded perspective to The Zone’s Board. I am particularly focused on supporting the charity’s continued growth, sustainability and outreach, ensuring that The Zone remains a trusted, progressive, and inclusive organisation that changes lives for the better.
TrusteeMarian Osademe
I became a Trustee at The Zone in 2025, bringing my skills and experience to support the charity’s vital work around mental health, wellbeing, homelessness, and sexual health for young people in Plymouth.
I am a trained HR professional (Assoc. CIPD) with over five years’ experience in organisational management, human resources, and more recently, finance administration. Before relocating to Plymouth in 2023, I held several leadership roles in Nigeria. I currently work remotely as the Executive Director of Lit-up Wellbeing Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that supports individuals and organisations to achieve holistic wellbeing.
In 2023, I began working in the health and social care sector as a Rehabilitation Assistant, supporting individuals at a brain injury rehabilitation centre in Plymouth alongside a multidisciplinary team of therapists. My commitment to The Zone is driven by a strong passion for youth development, employee wellbeing, and holistic personal growth, as well as a desire to make a meaningful impact at a local level.
Darryl Keaton
TrusteeI have been a Trustee at the Zone for 6 years. I am an accomplished business mentor for the Government, entrepreneur, and trustee who has successfully created and supported numerous thriving businesses across the UK. With a passion for utilising technology and data, I have helped organisations grow, improve efficiency, and innovate, these skills have been developed through extensive experience in both the business world and in high end Government departments.
As a parent of two, I am deeply committed to supporting young people through the challenges they face. This dedication led me to becoming a trustee of The Zone, a charity that helps young people navigate extremely difficult and challenging periods of their lives. I am particularly passionate on exploring how using the latest technology can help The Zone monitor and assist and improve efficiency and ultimately get more done with less.
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and swimming, finding inspiration and balance in the great outdoors. I have been continually inspired by the incredible impact The Zone has on the local community and always impressed by the dedication and hard work of its volunteers. I am committed to assisting in the charity’s growth and in any way possible ensure it can continue making a difference in the lives of young people.
Being a trustee of The Zone has been hugely rewarding for me, and I would implore others to either volunteer or join the Board of Trustees and see first-hand the impact this amazing charity and it’s staff have on Plymouth, something that can never be underestimated.