Meet the Senior Management Committee

Zulf Ahmed is the Chief Executive Officer of Kashmir Youth Project (KYP), bringing over 30 years of leadership experience in education, skills, employment, and community development. His career has included senior roles with Rochdale TEC, the Learning and Skills Council, Rochdale Borough Council, Rathbone, Intraining, the Department for Education, and KYP, providing him with extensive expertise in strategic planning, partnership development, service innovation, and organisational growth. Throughout his career, he has helped shape programmes and services that improve life chances, strengthen communities, and support economic regeneration.

Driven by a belief that everyone should have the opportunity to succeed, Zulf has dedicated his career to addressing inequalities, removing barriers to education and employment, and creating pathways that enable people and communities to thrive. He has secured significant investment for community initiatives, developed impactful education and employment programmes, and built strong partnerships across the public, private, voluntary, and community sectors.

As CEO, Zulf provides the strategic leadership for KYP’s mission of “Investing in People, Developing Skills.” He works closely with funders, local authorities, businesses, and community organisations to ensure KYP continues to deliver high-quality services that respond to community need and create lasting social impact. Under his leadership, KYP supports individuals and families through education and training, employability support, health and wellbeing initiatives, childcare, elder care, enterprise support, advice services, and community engagement activities.

A passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and social cohesion, Zulf plays an active role in bringing communities together and championing equality of opportunity. Through KYP’s community partnerships, his involvement with the Rochdale Ethnic Communities Network, and initiatives such as the Rochdale Diversity Awards, he works to celebrate diversity, strengthen community relationships, and ensure that the voices of underrepresented communities are heard and valued.

Proud to lead an organisation that has served local communities for over 45 years, Zulf’s vision is for KYP to continue empowering individuals, supporting families, tackling disadvantage, and promoting social and economic wellbeing. His ambition is for KYP to remain a trusted community anchor organisation and a catalyst for positive change, helping people of all ages and backgrounds develop the confidence, skills, and opportunities they need to build brighter futures.

I am an experienced community engagement and youth development professional with over 20 years of experience working across Greater Manchester. Throughout my career, I have been committed to supporting individuals, empowering communities, and building strong partnerships that create positive and lasting change.

My expertise includes community engagement, stakeholder consultation, youth development, community cohesion, facilities management, project delivery, and partnership working. I have successfully worked with local authorities, community organisations, educational institutions, businesses, and residents to design and deliver projects that improve participation, inclusion, and community wellbeing.

I am a manager at the Unique Enterprise Centre in Rochdale, where I oversee health and safety compliance, building maintenance, contractor management, and tenant relations.

Since 2004, I have also worked extensively in youth and community development, supporting young people through mentoring, leadership programmes, outreach activities, and community initiatives that help build confidence, skills, and opportunities.

Previously, I managed the constituency office of Tony Lloyd MP, handling complex casework, stakeholder engagement, and community advocacy. I have also held senior roles within community hub and library services, providing frontline support and ensuring access to vital community resources.

I hold a BA (Hons) in Youth & Community Development and have completed professional training in health and safety, emergency first aid, fire safety, and food hygiene. I am passionate about creating inclusive communities, supporting people to reach their potential, and developing effective partnerships that deliver meaningful outcomes.

Khadija Tily is an experienced strategic leader with over four decades of expertise spanning education, community development, partnership building and organisational development. Throughout her career, she has worked across the education, public and voluntary sectors, championing equity, inclusion and opportunities for underserved communities.

Beginning her career as a lecturer at Bolton College, Khadija developed a lifelong commitment to adult learning and community empowerment. She went on to hold senior leadership roles at Mid Cheshire College, where she led inclusive learning initiatives designed to meet the diverse needs of rural and urban communities. Her experience subsequently extended into policy and strategy development through roles with the Learning and Skills Council, the University of Bolton and Rochdale Borough Council, enabling her to shape programmes and services at both local and regional levels.

Khadija joined KYP in 2014 as a vocational assessor, then took on the role of Business Development Manager, Operations Manager and eventually, CEO. After a short break from work, she returned as Strategy and Partnerships Manager and now leads on strategic organisational development, stakeholder engagement and partnership building. She represents KYP across a range of local, Greater Manchester and national networks, advocating for community cohesion, anti-racist practice, culturally responsive services, and inclusive systems change. Her work has helped strengthen collaborative partnerships, secure significant investment for community initiatives and elevate the voices of diverse communities within key decision-making forums.

Khadija is a founding Director of the Greater Manchester Ethnic Communities Network CIC and plays a leading role in the Rochdale Ethnic Communities Network, working alongside partners to advance social justice, equity and stronger representation for Global Majority communities. Her commitment to community leadership also extends to her role as a Trustee of Springhill Hospice and as an active contributor to local and regional networks focused on improving outcomes across Greater Manchester that enable individuals and communities to thrive. She brings a wealth of experience, a strong understanding of complex social challenges and an unwavering belief in the power of collective action to build a fairer and more inclusive society.

Outside of work, Khadija loves spending time with family, visiting places of interest, going to the theatre and watching films. She also enjoys classical music, travelling and learning about different cultures. She is very fond of cats and loves to relax with them at home.

My Role at KYP

As the Learning and Skills Lead at KYP, I lead and support the delivery of high quality learning and skills programmes that help individuals achieve their goals and progress into further opportunities. I work with staff, learners, employers and partners to ensure our education and training provision continues to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

My Journey at KYP

My journey with KYP began when I was 16 years old, when I joined the organisation as a YTS trainee during the summer holidays. Coming from the local community, KYP gave me the opportunity to gain experience, develop my skills and start my career. KYP has provided opportunities for me and many other young people, supporting us to learn, grow and progress.

That opportunity shaped my career and inspired my passion for helping others. I am proud to now be in a position where I can support young people and individuals within our communities to develop their skills, build confidence and achieve their ambitions.

During my time at KYP, I have worked across many areas of the organisation, starting in childcare before moving into business administration, reception, adult day care, project leadership, learning coordination and examinations. I have managed a range of programmes, including the Flexible New Deal programme and the AMIF programme, supporting learners through employment, education, ESOL and skills development opportunities.

I completed my teacher training at the University of Bolton and went on to teach Health and Social Care, Functional Skills English and Functional Skills Maths within apprenticeship programmes. I am also a qualified Assessor and Internal Quality Assurer, which has strengthened my knowledge and experience in teaching, assessment and maintaining quality standards.

My Interests

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and value continuous learning and personal development. I am passionate about supporting others and believe that opportunities, encouragement and support can make a real difference in helping people achieve their potential.

As a Nursery Manager, I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. My role involves leading a dedicated team, ensuring high standards of care and education, supporting children’s development, and building strong relationships with families. I take great pride in helping to shape positive early learning experiences that give children the best possible start in life.

My journey at KYP has been both inspiring and rewarding. During my time here, I have developed my leadership skills, expanded my knowledge of early years education, and had the privilege of working alongside talented colleagues who share a commitment to supporting young people and the wider community. KYP has provided opportunities for personal and professional growth, allowing me to make a meaningful impact while continuously learning and developing.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading and travelling. Reading is one of my favourite ways to relax and unwind. I also love travelling and experiencing new places, cultures, and traditions.

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I am the Administration and Finance Officer at KYP, where I oversee the organisation’s administration, finance, and human resources functions. My role includes managing key financial processes such as payroll, budgeting, and invoicing, as well as supporting HR and recruitment activities. I also ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures, contributing to the effective day-to-day running of the organisation and enabling KYP to continue delivering high-quality services to the community.

My journey with KYP began in 1999, when I joined the organisation as a trainee while completing a Business Administration Apprenticeship. Since then, KYP has been an important part of my professional journey, providing valuable opportunities to develop my skills and experience across a range of roles. Over the years, I have progressed through various positions, including Customer Services Officer, Administration Assistant, and Administration Manager, gaining extensive knowledge of the organisation and a strong understanding of the communities we serve.

After taking time away to raise my three children, I was delighted to return to KYP in 2024 on a part-time basis. Rejoining the organisation has allowed me to build on my previous experience while continuing to contribute to the delivery of high-quality services. I am proud to be part of a dedicated team that is committed to supporting our community and making a positive impact.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, as well as travelling.