Simon Riggs

Chris has over 24 years’ experience working across the public and voluntary sector in the fields of health and social care, commissioning and community development. He is passionate about self-directed support and finding ways to make commissioning systems more personalised.

Sarah is a solution-focused professional with considerable experience of health and social care commissioning in both NHS and local government. Sarah has delivered commissioning functions including procurement, performance management and service improvement, system review, needs analysis and transformation.

Donna is an interdisciplinary researcher with nearly 20 years of experience in both public and private sector settings. Donna’s work has informed policy and practice change at the local, regional and national level. She holds a PhD and has global research experience in three different continents.

Caroline has over thirty years’ experience in children’s services within local authorities in both strategic and operational roles. Her expertise ranges from early help services through to safeguarding systems as well as managing an early year’s special educational needs team. Holding a PhD, Caroline was Vice Principal of an FE college, and has a background in supporting maintained and independent educational institutions to reduce inequalities.

Mary has over 30 years’ experience of working in children’s social care. For 15 years she was a senior manager within local authorities and the NHS. Her experience covers youth justice, leaving care and CAMHS, as well as being influential in the development of early help services. She is skilled in partnership working and was the chair of an All Wales group of managers liaising regularly with the Welsh Government influencing services for children in the Youth Justice system.

Lynda is qualified social worker and an experienced local authority senior manager with over 30 years’ experience of working in statutory social care. She has been an assistant director with prime responsibility for children’s services and has been the corporate director of adult social services alongside responsibility for an extensive range of community services.

Amy has significant operational and strategic experience working within the public and third sectors, supporting Public Health functions (including substance misuse, sexual health and mental health), housing support and adult and children social services. Her previous roles in England and Wales focused on commissioning and working to ensure the best possible outcomes for families and wider communities.

Amy is a qualified social worker who has had a range of management experience working in local authority children’s services and the charity sector, varying from youth justice, child sexual exploitation and child protection to managing early help services and commissioning.

Richard is a highly experienced leader with over 35 years of knowledge working in a range of disciplines including adult social care, human resource management, workforce development and organisational development.