A DERBYSHIRE man who has worked "tirelessly" over many years for the YMCA has been elected President of the World Council.
Peter Posner OBE, has previously served as President of the European Alliance of YMCAs and was awarded an OBE by the Queen last year for services to the YMCA movement.
Peter, who is chairman of YMCA Derbyshire's board of trustees, has been involved with YMCA Derbyshire since his youth.
Now he has been elected as President at the movement's 18th World Council being held in Colorado, in the United States.
Peter said: "I am humbled and honoured to be voted as the next President of the World Council of YMCAs and promise to serve the international YMCA movement with dedication and commitment.
"I will also continue to serve the YMCA in Derbyshire and I would like to thank everyone at YMCA Derbyshire for their continued support and best wishes."
Gillian Sewell, chief executive of YMCA Derbyshire, said: "I am thrilled at Peter's richly deserved appointment as President of the World Council of YMCAs.
"Peter has the YMCA movement in his blood and has worked for it tirelessly over many years.
"He served as President of the European Alliance of YMCAs with distinction and we have been privileged to have him as our vice-chairman and now chairman at YMCA Derbyshire.
"I know that Peter cares passionately about the values and ethos of the YMCA and about the vulnerable young people we support, protect and empower.
"I know that the whole YMCA family in Derbyshire, Europe and across the world will join me in congratulating Peter on this great achievement."
YMCA in Derbyshire was founded in 1847, three years after the first YMCA in London, and is affiliated to the national and international movement.
