Sam Tarff

Sam Tarff has been involved with STEP since 2010—initially helping to recover the business, then serving as a Trustee, and later becoming part-time Chief Executive. He is an experienced, resilient and inclusive strategic leader with extensive senior management and board-level experience across the charity, social enterprise, investment and social business sectors, with a strong track record of rescuing, transforming and sustaining organisations tackling complex social challenges.

His expertise includes regeneration programmes, community asset development, and diverse funding models spanning grants, earned income, public service contracts and social investment.

Semi-retired from CEO roles since 2022, Sam is Lead Finance Trustee of The Blagrave Trust, a grant-making social justice charity focused on young people, and continues to contribute through governance and financial stewardship.

Originally from Barnsley, Sam has been married to Linda for 35 years, and they have a daughter, Emily. Outside of work, he’s a keen follower of English Rugby Union and enjoys outdoor pursuits and hands-on remodelling and home improvement projects.