Sam Younger joined The Electoral Commission as its first Chairman after a career spanning twenty years at the BBC, most recently as Managing Director of the BBC World Service from 1994 to 1998. From 1999 to 2001 he was Chief Executive of the British Red Cross, responsible for its work in the UK and around the world. His other interests include the University of Sussex, whose governing body he chairs, and the Commonwealth Institute, of which he is a governor.

While having no personal history of party affiliation, politics runs in the family. His father was a Labour MP and Minister in the Labour Government of 1945-51, while more recently his cousin was a Cabinet Minister during Margaret Thatcher's Conservative administration.

In support of the Trust he says “What is unique about the Trust is the opportunity it offers, to those just embarked on or about to embark on significant leadership roles, to share experiences with their peers in an atmosphere that encourages a degree of personal honesty I have seldom encountered elsewhere”.

Sam has been a Patron of the Windsor Leadership Trust since 1999.