Samantha Kennerley

Sam Kennerley is an experienced Chair, former CEO and Non-Executive Director, with over 30 years’ senior leadership experience across corporate advisory, private equity, financial and professional services, tertiary education, and the not-for-profit and philanthropic sectors, spanning the UK and Asia Pacific.

She currently leads Tresco Ventures, where she works with founders, boards and leadership teams on strategy, growth, governance and communications-led value creation.

Originally from Manchester, Sam founded and led an award-winning brand and communications consultancy before relocating to Australia. Her international roles included Chair of Bric Housing, CEO of The John Villiers Trust (a philanthropic trust), and CEO of Youngcare, a national not-for-profit organisation driving systemic change for young people with high care needs. These roles built deep expertise in governance, regulatory oversight, risk, stakeholder engagement and organisational leadership.

Since returning to the North West in 2020, Sam has developed a portfolio board career alongside her executive role. She is a Non-Executive Director of Manchester Camerata and a trained Music Champion for its Music in Mind programme, having completed the training programme enabling her to support people living with dementia through music.

Sam is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, a qualified Company Director, and holds a postgraduate qualification in Risk and Compliance. She brings strong governance capability, a strategic marketing & communications perspective and purpose-driven leadership to board roles.