Karen Lott

Auditing, Quality and Compliance, Performance and Improvement (Employability and Facilities Management)

Measham, England, United Kingdom

About

Highly experienced and commercially astute Performance, Compliance, Auditing, Contract and Supply Chain Manager with over 26 years of success across multi-million-pound Government contracts (Employment, Skills and Facilities Management), managing cross-functional teams to resolve complex service issues. Adept at designing and implementing management information systems, quality and compliance systems and performance frameworks across multi-site, multi-sector environments. I have a proven track record in maintaining QMS, internal auditing, data analysis (qualitative and quantitative), and contract/KPI interpretation, with an ability collate and evaluate complex information and share findings with impact, to senior managers. Focused in leading “problem management” activities to detect and resolve service issues, whilst driving service improvements to enhance delivery and customer satisfaction, understanding the business, financial, strategic & political context. Known for introducing innovative systems changes, motivating teams with empathy and structure, and achieving measurable outcomes under pressure. Able to able to interpret clauses, identify compliance gaps during assessments, guide on implementation (e.g., via checklists or gap analyses), and knowledge of a variety of sector specific accreditation processes. Also skilled in aligning operations with ISO 9001:2015 (certified), ISO 19011;2018, Ofsted, Merlin, Matrix, EiF, ESFA and Government standards (SOC2 and NIST) together with a basic understanding of NERS accreditation and ICP. Ideally seeking National (Remote/Hybrid) roles. Ideally seeking Remote or Hybrid roles.

Experience

  • ISS Facility Services UK (Full-time · 4 yrs 1 mo)
    • Employability Manager - P&C - DWP @ ISS Facility Services UK
      Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    • Performance and Improvement Manager @ ISS Facility Services UK
      Jun 2022 - Oct 2025 · 3 yrs 5 mos

  • Consultant at Independent Consultant
    Nov 2018 - Present · 7 yrs 8 mos

    Offering training organisations, who have recently started, taken over or inherited ESFA contracts, the opportunity to ensure that their systems, processes and practices are effective and fit for purpose; to thereby reduce the risk of irregularities being unearthed when open to scrutiny.

  • Performance Manager at Serco - Employment, Skills & Enterprise
    Jul 2019 - Jun 2022 · 3 yrs

  • ESF Contracts Manager at Pathway Group
    Apr 2019 - Jul 2019 · 4 mos

  • Operations Chain Manager at PeoplePlus UK
    Aug 2017 - Oct 2018 · 1 yr 3 mos

    Role • Managed the YPP, Youth Employment contract, Direct Delivery and Supply Chain provision. Managed facilities, contracts, resources and personnel, whilst ensuring full oversight of P&L, processes, guidelines, quality and compliance; central to the success of the business. Human resource tasks including determining needs, recruitment and interview process, overseeing assignment of resources and planning staff development. • Facilities management Achievements •Significantly increased performance, quality and compliance. • Developed and implemented effective change to contract claims process reducing turnaround time. • Developed and cascaded training to increase knowledge and understanding of quality and compliance. • Introduced full oversight process to manage and maintain quality, compliance and performance of the YPP contract • Developed strategic partnership with internal and external training providers, to increase contract outcomes and those of the wider business. • Introduced and maintained Merlin Standards by which to manage Supply Chain. • Maintenance, management and eventual close down, including resource re-distribution, of the 36,000 ftsq building.