On 1 March, 2023 Jay Blades MBE became the first ever Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), where he was a student before launching a career which has seen him go onto become an award winning BBC presenter.

Jay Blades MBE becomes Co-Chair of the Heritage Crafts Association alongside David Clarke.

In this role Jay acts as an ambassador for skills, amplifying the message about the critical importance of vocational skills development to individuals and wider society.

It is a privilege to be asked to be an ambassador of The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) and be part of an organisation that supports excellence in British Craftsmanship. I am passionate about empowering and encouraging people to learn both traditional and modern crafts and for these skills to be passed down for future generations. I believe this is the only way to ensure that endangered skills are not lost forever and that new skills are continually developed to meet the needs of our ever-changing world.

I am honoured to be invited to be a part of The Prince’s Foundation. HRH The Prince of Wales’ vision of creating harmonious sustainable communities is a passion very close to my heart. Championing a sustainable approach to how we live our lives, build our homes and teach traditional arts and crafts are fundamental in all aspects of my philosophy and the DNA that runs through my own business Jay & Co. As an ambassador, I am excited to be involved with the Foundation’s pioneering initiatives both nationally and internationally and I look forward to working with them to empower and inspire both this and future generations to take action to develop more sustainable communities.

I am so happy to of been asked to become an ambassador for Tiny Toes, Tiny Feet. Tiny Toes Tiny Feet helps support mothers and families impacted by domestic violence by providing good quality (pre-loved) second hand items for babies and children & is a lifeline for so many. Having seen the effects of domestic violence and as the father of three children, I know only too well the struggles that mothers, fathers and families can face. I am looking forward to helping to raise the profile of this charity and in supporting them to make a real difference to each life they touch.

I have a deep respect for the inner-city youth-focused charity Gangs Unite and I am thrilled to be asked to be involved as an ambassador of the programme. Specialising in high-risk gang conflict resolution, mediation and mentoring the initiatives Gangs Unite undertake are irreplaceable in supporting disengaged and disadvantaged young people to a place of transformation. Bringing young high-risk communities together the charity mentor to divert often violent energies toward self-empowerment, analysis and critical thought, which in turn encourages a belief and understanding that there are other paths.

As Leighanne’s former mentor (during her teenage years) seeing her bloom in her dream career made me very proud of her, and now I am proud again, not only to be one of the trustees of her charity but to see that she is hoping to benefit others in society through The Black Fund. The Black Fund is an organisation that channels finances and other support to charities already doing important work to empower black communities; it is based on Paadna, a traditional Jamaican savings scheme. The way it works is simple - everyone contributes to each collecting round, and the proceeds are paid out to a member of the group. Ultimately, over time, everyone benefits.