Telford, England, United Kingdom
I help VCSE, public sector and education organisations co-design, fund and deliver what works, so good ideas become measurable, sustainable outcomes, especially for young people and communities facing disadvantage. My work sits at the intersection of youth employability/NEET prevention, early help and mental wellbeing, and place-based systems change. I bring 20+ years’ experience across charity leadership and corporate growth, including start-up, scale and turnaround programmes, most notably building Shropshire Youth Support Trust from the ground up, and launching a grant programme & mentoring network. How I work: Collaborative, evidence-informed and values-driven. I co-design with communities, build clarity on outcomes and roles, I work from strategy through to delivery, bringing proportionate governance, data and learning loops that stand up to scrutiny. What I deliver: Strategy & organisational development: operating models, governance, change leadership, KPIs and delivery grip Funding & income strategy: trusts/foundations, statutory bids and partnerships; cases for investment that are credible and deliverable Programme & service design: end-to-end pathways that reduce drop-off and improve progression (engagement/readiness/opportunity/sustainment) Research, insight & evaluation: theories of change, outcomes frameworks, monitoring, learning and evaluation that support continuous improvement and funder confidence Partnership brokerage & facilitation: cross-sector collaboration, commissioning readiness, social value and employer engagement Risk, safeguarding and compliance: proportionate approaches that protect quality without stifling delivery What I’ve learned about “what works” for youth/NEET outcomes: Effective pathways tend to combine trusted relationships, practical barrier removal (health, housing, SEND, caring responsibilities), rapid access to real opportunities, and the wraparound support that helps young people stay and progress, not just start. Ecosystem and system roles: I contribute to regional delivery and governance through roles including the Get Marches Working Operations Group, Shropshire Skills Task & Finish Group, and the Midlands Good Employment Movement Advisory Board. I also co-lead a youth mental health initiative with Keele University to develop evidence-based prevention approaches. If you’re looking to design stronger services, secure funding, strengthen delivery, and scale what works across a place or partnership, I’m open to focused commissions, retained support, partner bids and independent evaluation roles.
I specialise in empowering organisations across the voluntary and community sector, education, public services, and private industry. A strategic consultant with over two decades of leadership experience, I provide expert guidance in business transformation, operational efficiency, and stakeholder engagement. My mission is to help organisations navigate change, build resilience, and achieve measurable impact. Whether securing sustainable funding, developing inclusive organisational cultures, or driving community-focused initiatives, I bring with me a wealth of expertise and a results-driven approach. I collaborate with charities, public sector bodies, and businesses to create tailored strategies that address their unique challenges. With deep-rooted experience in governance, compliance, and risk management, I will ensure that clients remain agile, compliant, and future-ready. By combining strategic insight with a hands-on approach, I help leaders unlock new opportunities and build organisations that thrive. If you're looking for expert support to drive your organisation forward, I am here to help.
Advising on the development and adoption of good work standards, with a focus on inclusive employment and progression. Bridging VCSE, employers and public sector partners to strengthen practical, implementable commitments (not just principles). Bringing insight from youth employability, system change and workforce inclusion to support delivery, measurement and partner engagement.