Experience

Purpose Led Performance

• United Kingdom
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CEO

  • Apr 2019 - Present

  Purpose Led Performance (PLP) is passionate about helping organisations perform and achieve their purpose. We work with organisations that are experiencing periods of growth, change or challenge. We have a formula for helping organisations to achieve long-term sustained growth and high performance. We are not consultants by background. We have learned what works by working in senior roles in high-performing organisations. Chris Blackwell founded Purpose Led Performance in… Show more Purpose Led Performance (PLP) is passionate about helping organisations perform and achieve their purpose. We work with organisations that are experiencing periods of growth, change or challenge. We have a formula for helping organisations to achieve long-term sustained growth and high performance. We are not consultants by background. We have learned what works by working in senior roles in high-performing organisations. Chris Blackwell founded Purpose Led Performance in 2019. Throughout his career, Chris has worked as a CEO, MD and COO for organisations that achieved incredible and sustained growth while maintaining market-leading performance, and quality. Chris's experience spans the education, outsourcing, employability, disability and criminal justice sectors and includes leadership roles in four Joint-Ventures. Purpose Led Performance is a team of Expert-Collaborators who are leaders and experts in their fields. Chris has brought together experts, he has previously worked with, who have a track record of helping individuals, and organisations achieve outstanding performance. Purpose Led Performance utilises the PLP performance cycle, which is based on Chris's experience delivering exceptional performance and growth over the past 16 years. Having a clear and compelling purpose is the foundation stone of achieving sustained high-performance and growth. Building on that foundation the PLP performance cycle has five distinct phases: 1. Developing a successful strategy 2. Growth phase - Securing growth 3. Growth phase - Implementing growth 4. Consolidation phase – Performance optimisation 5. Consolidation phase - Capacity Building Purpose Led Performance supports organisations through every phase of the growth cycle, to help them achieve outstanding results. Show less Purpose Led Performance (PLP) is passionate about helping organisations perform and achieve their purpose. We work with organisations that are experiencing periods of growth, change or challenge. We have a formula for helping organisations to achieve long-term sustained growth and high performance. We are not consultants by background. We have learned what works by working in senior roles in high-performing organisations. Chris Blackwell founded Purpose Led Performance in… Show more Purpose Led Performance (PLP) is passionate about helping organisations perform and achieve their purpose. We work with organisations that are experiencing periods of growth, change or challenge. We have a formula for helping organisations to achieve long-term sustained growth and high performance. We are not consultants by background. We have learned what works by working in senior roles in high-performing organisations. Chris Blackwell founded Purpose Led Performance in 2019. Throughout his career, Chris has worked as a CEO, MD and COO for organisations that achieved incredible and sustained growth while maintaining market-leading performance, and quality. Chris's experience spans the education, outsourcing, employability, disability and criminal justice sectors and includes leadership roles in four Joint-Ventures. Purpose Led Performance is a team of Expert-Collaborators who are leaders and experts in their fields. Chris has brought together experts, he has previously worked with, who have a track record of helping individuals, and organisations achieve outstanding performance. Purpose Led Performance utilises the PLP performance cycle, which is based on Chris's experience delivering exceptional performance and growth over the past 16 years. Having a clear and compelling purpose is the foundation stone of achieving sustained high-performance and growth. Building on that foundation the PLP performance cycle has five distinct phases: 1. Developing a successful strategy 2. Growth phase - Securing growth 3. Growth phase - Implementing growth 4. Consolidation phase – Performance optimisation 5. Consolidation phase - Capacity Building Purpose Led Performance supports organisations through every phase of the growth cycle, to help them achieve outstanding results. Show less



TechWM

• United Kingdom
• Technology, Information and Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Mar 2022 - Present

• Scale-up Coach

  • Jun 2020 - Mar 2022


Purpose Collective
• United Kingdom
• Professional Training and Coaching
• Co-Founder

  • Sep 2020 - Present

The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce)
• Fellow

  • May 2019 - Present


Entrust Support Services Limited

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Dec 2017 - Feb 2019

  Entrust is a £80m revenue Joint-Venture between Staffordshire County Council and Capita PLC, set up to deliver education support services to schools. 'Excellence in education’ is the heart of our business. Our passion is inspiring futures and creating better outcomes for children, young people and adults. As CEO I led the development of a new strategy to help Entrust move from being a local provider of services to Staffordshire schools to providing services to schools… Show more Entrust is a £80m revenue Joint-Venture between Staffordshire County Council and Capita PLC, set up to deliver education support services to schools. 'Excellence in education’ is the heart of our business. Our passion is inspiring futures and creating better outcomes for children, young people and adults. As CEO I led the development of a new strategy to help Entrust move from being a local provider of services to Staffordshire schools to providing services to schools nationally. Entrust has supported educational establishments across England to improve outcomes since 2013. Entrust works in partnership with schools, academy trusts and Local Authorities to provide specialist expertise, ensuring every child and young person: - receives a good education; - is in a safe and healthy environment; - is given expert guidance to realise their full potential. Show less Entrust is a £80m revenue Joint-Venture between Staffordshire County Council and Capita PLC, set up to deliver education support services to schools. 'Excellence in education’ is the heart of our business. Our passion is inspiring futures and creating better outcomes for children, young people and adults. As CEO I led the development of a new strategy to help Entrust move from being a local provider of services to Staffordshire schools to providing services to schools… Show more Entrust is a £80m revenue Joint-Venture between Staffordshire County Council and Capita PLC, set up to deliver education support services to schools. 'Excellence in education’ is the heart of our business. Our passion is inspiring futures and creating better outcomes for children, young people and adults. As CEO I led the development of a new strategy to help Entrust move from being a local provider of services to Staffordshire schools to providing services to schools nationally. Entrust has supported educational establishments across England to improve outcomes since 2013. Entrust works in partnership with schools, academy trusts and Local Authorities to provide specialist expertise, ensuring every child and young person: - receives a good education; - is in a safe and healthy environment; - is given expert guidance to realise their full potential. Show less



THE REDUCING REOFFENDING PARTNERSHIP LIMITED

• United Kingdom
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Interim Chief Executive Officer

  • Aug 2016 - Nov 2017

  The Reducing Reoffending Partnership is a ground breaking joint-venture between Ingeus, St Giles Trust and CGL. By combining experience from across the public, voluntary and private sectors, it aims to deliver a step-change in the provision of offender rehabilitation services to help reduce reoffending rates in the UK. I initially joined on a six month contract as the interim COO but stepped up after five months to the CEO role on an interim basis. During my time there I built the… Show more The Reducing Reoffending Partnership is a ground breaking joint-venture between Ingeus, St Giles Trust and CGL. By combining experience from across the public, voluntary and private sectors, it aims to deliver a step-change in the provision of offender rehabilitation services to help reduce reoffending rates in the UK. I initially joined on a six month contract as the interim COO but stepped up after five months to the CEO role on an interim basis. During my time there I built the senior team there and helped to recruit a permanent CEO. The Reducing Reoffending Partnership (RRP) is the parent company of the 'Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire & Rutland' and 'Staffordshire & West Midlands' Community Rehabilitation Companies(CRCs). With over 1,100 dedicated professionals delivering probation services to low and medium risk offenders. RRP has two main aims: reducing reoffending and protecting the public. Show less The Reducing Reoffending Partnership is a ground breaking joint-venture between Ingeus, St Giles Trust and CGL. By combining experience from across the public, voluntary and private sectors, it aims to deliver a step-change in the provision of offender rehabilitation services to help reduce reoffending rates in the UK. I initially joined on a six month contract as the interim COO but stepped up after five months to the CEO role on an interim basis. During my time there I built the… Show more The Reducing Reoffending Partnership is a ground breaking joint-venture between Ingeus, St Giles Trust and CGL. By combining experience from across the public, voluntary and private sectors, it aims to deliver a step-change in the provision of offender rehabilitation services to help reduce reoffending rates in the UK. I initially joined on a six month contract as the interim COO but stepped up after five months to the CEO role on an interim basis. During my time there I built the senior team there and helped to recruit a permanent CEO. The Reducing Reoffending Partnership (RRP) is the parent company of the 'Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire & Rutland' and 'Staffordshire & West Midlands' Community Rehabilitation Companies(CRCs). With over 1,100 dedicated professionals delivering probation services to low and medium risk offenders. RRP has two main aims: reducing reoffending and protecting the public. Show less



MAXIMUS

• Australia
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• UK Managing Director - Human Services

  • Dec 2012 - Apr 2016

  During my time in role MAXIMUS grew its UK revenues from £14m in 2012 to £170m in 2015. The role responsibilities were: - UK Company Director, member of Global leadership team and Human-Services segment business leader - Overseeing all financial, operational, commercial and business development activities - Negotiating complex commercial deals and transactions including acquisitions, joint ventures, mutuals and being entrusted by government to step in to take over failing… Show more During my time in role MAXIMUS grew its UK revenues from £14m in 2012 to £170m in 2015. The role responsibilities were: - UK Company Director, member of Global leadership team and Human-Services segment business leader - Overseeing all financial, operational, commercial and business development activities - Negotiating complex commercial deals and transactions including acquisitions, joint ventures, mutuals and being entrusted by government to step in to take over failing high- profile contracts - Line management of Senior Leadership Team including: Operations Director, Finance Director, Business Development Director, HR Director and Business Services Director - P&L Management for the UK Human Services business - Representing MAXIMUS in meeting with Ministers and high-ranking government officials Show less During my time in role MAXIMUS grew its UK revenues from £14m in 2012 to £170m in 2015. The role responsibilities were: - UK Company Director, member of Global leadership team and Human-Services segment business leader - Overseeing all financial, operational, commercial and business development activities - Negotiating complex commercial deals and transactions including acquisitions, joint ventures, mutuals and being entrusted by government to step in to take over failing… Show more During my time in role MAXIMUS grew its UK revenues from £14m in 2012 to £170m in 2015. The role responsibilities were: - UK Company Director, member of Global leadership team and Human-Services segment business leader - Overseeing all financial, operational, commercial and business development activities - Negotiating complex commercial deals and transactions including acquisitions, joint ventures, mutuals and being entrusted by government to step in to take over failing high- profile contracts - Line management of Senior Leadership Team including: Operations Director, Finance Director, Business Development Director, HR Director and Business Services Director - P&L Management for the UK Human Services business - Representing MAXIMUS in meeting with Ministers and high-ranking government officials Show less



Employment Related Services Association (ERSA)

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Non Executive Director

  • May 2011 - Apr 2016

  ERSA is the representative body for the employability sector and has over 150 member organisations across the private, voluntary and public sector. As a Board member I contributed to strategy and ensuring that ERSA represented the best interests of its membership. I played an active role in engaging with government as a senior sector representative. ERSA is the representative body for the employability sector and has over 150 member organisations across the private, voluntary and public sector. As a Board member I contributed to strategy and ensuring that ERSA represented the best interests of its membership. I played an active role in engaging with government as a senior sector representative.



MAXIMUS Foundation UK

• Founding Trustee and Chair

  • Oct 2014 - Feb 2016

  The MAXIMUS Foundation UK is a charitable body that distributes grants to support organisations that promote personal growth, self-sufficiency and community development by distributing grants to small, local UK voluntary organisations that do important work at a local community level. I led the set-up of the Foundation, secured an initial £150k of seed-corn funding and the first two rounds of grant… Show more The MAXIMUS Foundation UK is a charitable body that distributes grants to support organisations that promote personal growth, self-sufficiency and community development by distributing grants to small, local UK voluntary organisations that do important work at a local community level. I led the set-up of the Foundation, secured an initial £150k of seed-corn funding and the first two rounds of grant distributions. https://www.maximusuk.co.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/MAXIMUS_Foundation_Annual%20Report_2015.pdf Show less The MAXIMUS Foundation UK is a charitable body that distributes grants to support organisations that promote personal growth, self-sufficiency and community development by distributing grants to small, local UK voluntary organisations that do important work at a local community level. I led the set-up of the Foundation, secured an initial £150k of seed-corn funding and the first two rounds of grant… Show more The MAXIMUS Foundation UK is a charitable body that distributes grants to support organisations that promote personal growth, self-sufficiency and community development by distributing grants to small, local UK voluntary organisations that do important work at a local community level. I led the set-up of the Foundation, secured an initial £150k of seed-corn funding and the first two rounds of grant distributions. https://www.maximusuk.co.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/MAXIMUS_Foundation_Annual%20Report_2015.pdf Show less



Remploy Ltd

• Non Executive Director

  • Apr 2015 - Oct 2015

  Remploy has been the leading provider of disability employment services in the UK since 1946. On 7 April 2015, 70 years after it was formed, Remploy left government ownership in a joint venture between MAXIMUS and Remploy’s employees who have a 30% stake in the new business. Freeing Remploy from government control means they have the ability to expand, move into new markets, and can pursue international opportunities. MAXIMUS brings commercial knowledge and expertise to the joint venture… Show more Remploy has been the leading provider of disability employment services in the UK since 1946. On 7 April 2015, 70 years after it was formed, Remploy left government ownership in a joint venture between MAXIMUS and Remploy’s employees who have a 30% stake in the new business. Freeing Remploy from government control means they have the ability to expand, move into new markets, and can pursue international opportunities. MAXIMUS brings commercial knowledge and expertise to the joint venture and works with Remploy to build on its existing success. This opens new opportunities and offers an exciting future. Over their first six months as a commercial organisation I supported their CEO and Executive team to make the transition from government control to being a fully-fledged commercial business. Show less Remploy has been the leading provider of disability employment services in the UK since 1946. On 7 April 2015, 70 years after it was formed, Remploy left government ownership in a joint venture between MAXIMUS and Remploy’s employees who have a 30% stake in the new business. Freeing Remploy from government control means they have the ability to expand, move into new markets, and can pursue international opportunities. MAXIMUS brings commercial knowledge and expertise to the joint venture… Show more Remploy has been the leading provider of disability employment services in the UK since 1946. On 7 April 2015, 70 years after it was formed, Remploy left government ownership in a joint venture between MAXIMUS and Remploy’s employees who have a 30% stake in the new business. Freeing Remploy from government control means they have the ability to expand, move into new markets, and can pursue international opportunities. MAXIMUS brings commercial knowledge and expertise to the joint venture and works with Remploy to build on its existing success. This opens new opportunities and offers an exciting future. Over their first six months as a commercial organisation I supported their CEO and Executive team to make the transition from government control to being a fully-fledged commercial business. Show less



Ingeus

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive

  • Jun 2009 - Nov 2012

  Over my ten years with Ingeus it grew from a small organisation with 50 staff working across two offices to a joint-venture with Deloitte with 1,600 staff working across eighty-five offices. The first task in the COO role was to turn round a failing payment-by-results contract which had losses of £3m in a six month period. It was a formative experience for me as we implemented a new delivery model and significantly reduced the cost base. Within six months we had improved performance by 40%… Show more Over my ten years with Ingeus it grew from a small organisation with 50 staff working across two offices to a joint-venture with Deloitte with 1,600 staff working across eighty-five offices. The first task in the COO role was to turn round a failing payment-by-results contract which had losses of £3m in a six month period. It was a formative experience for me as we implemented a new delivery model and significantly reduced the cost base. Within six months we had improved performance by 40% while cutting the cost of delivery by a third. One year in to the role I worked with a with the CEO (Dean James) to develop and execute a strategy for growth which resulted in Deloitte taking a 50% stake in the business in late 2010 that was followed by a £750m contract win on the Work Programme in 2011. The implementation of the Work Programme over a three month period included taking on 750 staff via TUPE transfer, opening 50 new offices and the setup and roll-out of a supply chain of over 50 organisations. In the first three months of delivery, services were provided to over 60,000 jobseekers – more than double the expected volumes. I led over 1,500 staff across 85 offices. Over the first 18 months of the contract Ingeus were the leading provider in all seven regions they delivered in, and had the highest possible ranking on the DWP provider assurance audits and Merlin supply chain assessment. Alongside leading the operational delivery of Ingeus, I was involved in the diversification strategy that resulted in Ingeus entering the skills and health markets.

• Director of Operations

  • Jun 2007 - May 2009

• Various management roles

  • Mar 2003 - May 2007