At Shaw Trust we believe everyone has the right to live a decent and dignified life and an opportunity for rewarding work. We are a social purpose organisation challenging inequality and breaking down barriers to enable social mobility.
Having grown from humble beginnings in 1982 in the village of Shaw in Wiltshire, finding jobs for disabled people, today we are a complex and diverse charity committed to employment as the core pathway to a better life. For us being part of the solution is about creating the conditions for this to happen, advocating and delivering services that make a real difference. Working in partnership not competition, we are part of an eco-system of purpose-led organisations, striving for a fairer, more equal society centred on opportunity for all.
Shaw Trust was founded on these principles more than 30 years ago, and for our 2,500 employees and 1,000 volunteers across the UK, they remain true.
We have grown through a combination of organic growth, mergers and acquisitions to be the UK’s largest Not-for-Profit (NFP) social enterprise in the employment sector. We put people at the centre, knowing the right support at the right time can make a huge difference to an individual’s life. We empower people from childhood to career through our services embracing employability, education, learning and skills, children’s services and health and wellbeing support.
Our co-created services include large scale employability programmes, specialist services for communities, residential care for children, targeted support for young people, on-the-job learning and training and individual guidance and support. Our work is commissioned by government departments, regional and local authorities, the NHS and employers and is delivered through a people centred approach.
We believe in sharing our expertise to create sustainable community legacies and work with more than 200 like-minded organisations growing networks of talent, experience and potential.
Our vision
A future where good, meaningful, rewarding, purposeful and dignified employment is accessible to all in society irrespective of life circumstances.Our mission
To focus our experience, skills, advocacy and passion to deliver the highest quality services for the people we support and to improve opportunities and access to work now and for the long term.Our commitment
To co-create and deliver high quality employability programmes and complementary services for people with complex needs, challenging life circumstances or other barriers that impact on access to work.
Our values
We believe that who we are and the values we hold directly improves the quality of what we provide to those we support. Our values guide and focus us every day:
We care about people;
We support our staff, our volunteers and the people we work with to realise their potential.
We make a difference;
Making a lasting positive impact for the people we support is the reason we exist. We deliver high performance across our services, helping people to improve their lives.
We are inclusive;
We value the ideas, views and strengths of everyone we work with and support. Everybody is different and everybody is equal.
We are collaborative;
Working together is more effective and efficient. We believe that by working together with those we support and our partners we create better services and solutions.
We are honest;
We are authentic, accountable and transparent in all we do.
Our people
Our people, both staff and volunteers, are our greatest strength. Each person at Shaw Trust helps us achieve our purpose, define our culture, defend our values and deliver high-quality programmes. Our people link us to those we support and keep us true.
Empowering people to achieve their full potential we support, value and progress our workforce. Trusting our colleagues to enable young people and adults towards, and into, sustainable, rewarding and meaningful employment. Our colleagues share our vision providing advice, guidance and support to move families out of poverty.
Our Trustees
Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE CSTJ FRSA FBCS
Ken has enjoyed a distinguished career and was knighted in the 2018 New Year Honours for services to Business and Philanthropy.
In 2015 Ken was declared ‘the most influential black man in Britain’ and in the same year he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London – The Queen’s personal representative in the capital. However, it is not public recognition that drives Ken but public good and a strong sense of purpose to challenge society’s inequity. For Ken a society where families are struggling to make ends meet, talented disabled people are unemployed, children in care are prevented from accessing opportunities is one in which Shaw Trust is not only desirable but essential. Sir Kenneth has called on government and other policy makers to recognise that help for the needy is better driven by charitable rather than commercial priorities. His pride in Shaw Trust is reinforced by our evident commitment always to act as an organisation with a charitable heart and a business brain.
Annamarie Hassall
Annemarie was appointed to the Board as a trustee in autumn 2019. An expert in her field, she was appointed MBE for services to children and families in 2011.
At Shaw Trust Annamarie draws on all of her sector experience of working with charity, private sector, local authority and central government to support our work by ensuring we are on the right track, doing what we have agreed, delivering on commitments and doing it well. Volunteering her time as a trustee it was the values of Shaw Trust that most attracted Annamarie. The belief people should be at the heart of change; employment as a goal for everyone and the focus on skills; valuing education, training and skills for life. To find out more about Annamarie connect on LinkedIn
Chanelle Gray
Chanelle graduated from Roehampton University with a 2:1 in Psychology and Counselling and joined the Civil Service as a court usher.
Ten years later and Chanelle had climbed the ranks into a leadership position, on a competitive talent programme. She was also developing her skill and interest in Diversity and Inclusion both within the Civil Service and outside of it. Most recently, Chanelle has worked heavily on championing social mobility and ethnicity within the workplace, focusing on improving the diversity within the Civil Service's senior leadership to avoid groupthink and to ensure it is as representative as the society the Civil Service serves. Outside of work, Chanelle has a strong passion for volunteering supporting people who do not have the best start in life. Before she embarked on an adventure into motherhood, Chanelle volunteered as an appropriate adult within Croydon Police Station, helping vulnerable and underage suspects understand what was happening and ensuring they were treated fairly and appropriately.
Jeremy Moore CB
Jeremy became a trustee in October 2018 after many years as a senior civil servant in several Whitehall departments dealing mainly with social policy issues.
Jeremy now has a portfolio career in those areas in which he worked as a national policy maker – welfare, the labour market, education and skills. He believes strongly that governments need to work with expert charities like Shaw Trust to design and deliver programmes which will increase economic and social opportunities for those too often left behind. He has recently helped with the Trust’s long-term strategy and on strengthening its internal governance. He is keen to see us become more influential in shaping policy and public attitudes in order to reduce inequality and increase opportunity. You can find out more about Jeremy from LinkedIn.
John Norman
John joined the organisation in 2009 following a 40-year career in airport management. It was during his time as HR Director at Stansted Airport that he became enthused by the work of the third sector.
Particularly when it related to finding work for those who are long term unemployed. John continues to be highly motivated by the work Shaw Trust undertakes in this critical area. John also strongly believes that all young people, particularly those socially disadvantaged should have the best start in life and has been active in the Foyers movement, more recently with London Youth and of course with the services Shaw Trust provides to young people. He played a leading role in the creation of Shaw Education Trust and has played a key role in supporting HR activity and the recruitment of fellow trustees and senior executives. Connect with John on LinkedIn
Mike Hawker
Mike has been a trustee for more than eight years and holds a number of board roles including with South Central Ambulance Service, the British Army’s audit committee, Salisbury Trading and Odstock Medical.
Mike had a successful executive career in Bradford before chairing a further education college and becoming director of a training and enterprise council that supported initiatives to address the social and economic consequences caused by the demise of the coal and wool industries. These changes were close to Mike’s heart, although a Yorkshire lad, his mum’s relations retrained or relocated when coal mines closed in Somerset and skilled work at Clarks was lost as shoe manufacturing moved overseas. His council house childhood and Yorkshire upbringing means he sees we sometimes need a little help to help ourselves and being a trustee enables him to provide that help. Speaking about Shaw Trust, Mike comments: “My mum grew up in a children’s home; she would be very proud that I am a Trustee of an organisation providing in its children’s homes a level of care and support she could only have dreamt of.”
Mike Nussbaum
Mike joined Shaw Trust in February 2016. Mike sits on the boards of RNIB, Guide Dogs, Vision UK, the Equality and Diversity Forum and supports numerous other charitable organisations.
Mike’s passion for social justice started young when he was involved in a wide range of social action programmes including chairing national youth organisations. Now, following more than 50 years of public service, Mike brings his blind lived experience to Shaw Trust. An active and committed volunteer Mike previously sat on the boards of RNIB, Vision UK, and the Equality and Diversity Forum. Mike is still an active member of the board for Guide Dogs and continues to support numerous other charitable organisations. Mike is passionate about the added value which volunteers can bring to an organisation as well as the personal benefits of volunteering. Supporting Shaw Trust’s 1,000 person strong volunteer programme, Mike received a national ‘Year of the Volunteer’ Award for services to volunteering in 2005, and in 2008 The Open University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate.
Paul Baldwin
After two decades working in the banking and finance industry, in 2009 Paul decided he would rather spend his time working on the causes that he is passionate about.
Since then he has pursued a portfolio career working with a select number of charitable organisations across a range of different sectors. His most significant areas of interest include, disability, education and skills, conservation and the environment, and animal protection, including as chair of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Paul first became aware of Shaw Trust while he was Chair of the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) and was looking for a suitable merger partner to secure DLF’s long-term future. An immediate meeting of minds led to a successful merger in 2014, and Paul joined the Shaw Trust board in 2016. Other than working as a charity trustee, Paul is happiest when in the mountains: hiking, ultra-running, skiing, or teaching adaptive snow sports to people with a range different disabilities. Find out more about Paul on LinkedIn.
Paul McGee
Paul was a founding director of Prospects, which was acquired by Shaw Trust in 2017 and is currently chair of Homes2Inspire and Optimus Education, both part of Shaw Trust.
After studying maths and philosophy at Leeds University, Paul worked at the Globe (now Gielgud) Theatre in London. He joined the education sector teaching maths and computing in inner London before spending periods as a general inspector and Chief Education Inspector in Croydon. In his role as Chief Inspector, Paul led on curriculum development, pupil assessment, teacher appraisal and school evaluation and inspection systems prior to their introduction nationally. He was also heavily involved in the major secondary school reorganisation leading to post-16 centres, and The Brit School. As Director of Education and Leisure in Bexley, Paul reorganised the arrangements for entry to the borough's selective schools and ensured that almost all children with special needs were educated within Bexley. He also established the Bexley Heritage Trust and reorganised the swimming and leisure centres. After retiring Paul became a trustee of Signature Care and Support, Autism Wessex and Choice Support where he was Vice-Chair and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. Paul was a founding director of Prospects, which was acquired by Shaw Trust, and was invited to become a trustee of Shaw Trust. He is currently chair of Homes2Inspire and Optimus Education, within Shaw Trust, as he was in Prospects. His major interests are in trying to provide coordinated services to children and young people with special needs in what has become an increasingly fragmented system.
Peter Holmes
Peter became a trustee in September 2012 when Shaw Trust acquired Career Development Group (CDG). He also serves as the Chair of the Performance and Investment Committee.
Peter became a trustee in September 2012 when Shaw Trust acquired Career Development Group (CDG). He also serves as the Chair of the Performance and Investment Committee. Peter spent more than thirty years working in the technology and management consulting sectors helping public sector organisations to deliver higher quality services and to improve their efficiency. Since retiring from Accenture in 2008 he has taken on a number of non-executive positions for social purpose companies, charities and trade bodies. He joined Shaw Trust to apply his experience of delivering major public sector contracts to help people from a diverse range of backgrounds to fulfil their potential. To find out more about Peter connect with him on LinkedIn.
Our Senior Leadership
Chris Luck CB MBE
MA MPhil
Group CEO, Shaw Trust
Chris joined the Trust in May 2019, after a distinguished career in the armed forces. Chris had not planned to move into the voluntary sector, however, his life experiences, personal values and strong sense of purpose made him the perfect fit to lead Shaw Trust. Ensuring those we support are at the heart of everything we do, Chris has implemented a new organisational structure, reviewed our strategic direction and championed new initiatives, including the Shaw Trust Foundation and Shaw Trust Policy Institute supporting and advocating for social mobility through opportunity. To find out more about Chris follow him on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn.
Alan Webb
Group Head of Business Technology and Information Systems
Alan joined the Trust in January 2019 to support the transformation of the Trust and become our Head of Technology in the autumn of 2019. Having worked in technology for more than 20 years, Alan brings experience and a modern approach to support our ongoing drive of continuous improvement and transformation to ensure technology is accessible and used to benefit everyone. While technology is at the forefront of Alan’s daily life, the ongoing support of people’s personal development and experiences is a personal value. Alan believes there is nothing better than seeing someone flourish in their development; both our staff within the Trust and those we support. To find out more about Alan connect on Linkedin.
Alona De Havilland
Head of Marketing and Communications
Having joined Prospects in 2007 Alona has progressed at the Trust and now leads the Marketing and Communications function. A natural storyteller, Alona’s love of words and the power of language started early and she has continued to use her influence to advocate for transparency, employee engagement and clear communications. Alona is happiest when telling Shaw Trust’s story, sharing and celebrating colleagues’ successes in ways that bring our work to life. A past chair and founding member of Employee Voice, Shaw Trust’s staff representative group, Alona believes in empowering people to achieve their potential and harness their natural creativity. To find out more about Alona find her on LinkedIn and for professional insights and updates or follow her on Twitter for more personal thoughts.
Andrew Thraves
Managing Director of Optimus Education
Andrew joined Prospects in April 2015. He has supplied services and solutions to the education industry for over 30 years, at commercial organisations demanding significant company growth and high profit expectations. Previously chair of several of the main trade associations representing companies supplying commercial services to education, Andrew is also a trustee of one of the largest multi-academy chains in the country.
Austin Hardie
Operational Managing Director of Employability
Austin’s drive to deliver exceptional performance is matched by his passion to ensure everyone we support is treated with respect and as an individual. Encouraging open communication at all levels and joined up management, Austin regularly takes part in back to the floor activity, ensuring programmes are designed effectively to serve the needs of those we support. Austin joined Shaw Trust in in 2012 from Remploy and leads Shaw Trust’s employability programmes for the Department of Work and Pensions. Austin’s background is in social enterprise, national employment programmes and local economic development. Connect with Austin on LinkedIn.
Jacqui Oughton
Chief Operating Officer & Operational Managing Director of Learning and Skills
Jacqui joined Ixion Holdings in 2014 where she is currently Managing Director Learning and Skills for Shaw Trust. She is a highly experienced and strategic leader within the Learning and Skills sector with significant experience in the contribution to and development of policy and growth across apprenticeships, traineeships and wider skills and learning sectors including higher level qualifications. Jacqui is a highly experienced Ofsted nominee having led and managed 21 inspections and led Ixion, as their nominee, to achieve their Overall Outstanding Grade I inspection result in 2017.
Jo Morgan
Chief Executive Officer, Shaw Education Trust
Jo joined the Trust from Ofsted where she worked as the Regional Director for the North West and National Director for Initial Teacher Education. Jo held the status of Her Majesty’s Inspector. Jo held three secondary headships: leading out of special measures, accelerating performance to outstanding; gaining Teaching School status and delivery of academisation. As a National Leader of Education, Jo worked extensively in a strategic role in the Greater Manchester Challenge. A proven systems leader, Jo has supported a large number of schools to accelerate improvement. Jo has delivered programmes for the National College, worked with a Local Authority and provided advice to the DfE. Her portfolio of experience spans all phases, all sectors and all contexts.
Joanna Audley
Continuous Improvement Director
Prior to joining Shaw Trust Joanna worked in hospitality, construction and latterly as a Clinical Director within Health and Social Care. Joanna strives to serve as a motivational leader, bringing a wealth of experience in delivering results. Joanna believes in creating a community that provides acceptance and inclusion for all regardless of circumstance. She is passionate about education believing it can empower and inspire others to be the best version of themselves.
Judith Denyer
Operational Director, Children’s Services
Judith has led and managed services for children and young people in the statutory, private and voluntary sector for 25 years. She has significant experience of working collaboratively with a plethora of partners, funders and service users to create impactful services that reduce not in employment, education or training (NEET) and deliver value for money. She combines strategic awareness with creating operational solutions
Mark Earl
Chief People Officer
Mark joined Careers Development Group in 2008 leading their Human Resources function. Mark now leads the Group HR, Organisational Development and Resources functions at Shaw Trust.
Paul Cook
Managing Director Of Children’s Services
Paul Cook is a qualified social worker with over 35 years’ experience with children’s services. He has held senior management positions within local authority, the private sector and more recently Shaw Trust, which he joined in November 2017 following the acquisition of Prospects. Since joining Shaw Trust Paul has with his team continued to develop new and innovative services for children and young people needing residential care and leaving care services. Paul, up until recently was a non-executive director of a housing association and a trustee of their charitable foundation, he is currently Vice Chairman of the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
Paul Willis
Operational Director Learning and Skills
Joining Ixion Holdings in 2014 Paul has worked in learning and skills management more than 20 years. A highly experienced strategic and operational leader of government funded programmes, Paul specialises in Apprenticeships and Traineeships as well as advising and supporting employers with accessing relevant training provision to support their organisational needs. Outside of work Paul can be found in an ice rink across the UK either coaching Whitley Bay Juniors Under 18s Ice Hockey team and the Northern Conference Under 17s Ice Hockey team or playing ice hockey at a recreational level.
Renata Graver
Chief of Staff
Renata joined Shaw Trust in 2013 as a team leader on the Work Programme, and moved across as Area Manager for Essex on the Work & Health Programme in 2018. Both programmes required a significant amount of business acumen and trouble shooting. Renata had strategic and operational accountability that she fulfilled with a solution led approach. With people at the heart of everything Renata does, her tenacity, persistence and resilience are demonstrable in all of her personal and work based achievements. Renata represents and supports the CEO and strategies set out across the Shaw Trust Group. To find out more about Renata follow her in LinkedIn.
Richard Clifton
Chief Commercial Officer
Richard has worked in the employment services sector since 1993, bidding for and delivering every major contract from New Deal through to Work and Health Programme, alongside local government contracts. He has a broad range of knowledge and experience from leading both business development and operational functions for Shaw Trust and other organisations. More recently, he gained experience of local government commissioning as an elected County Councillor and Cabinet Member. Richard is also Chair of the Employment Related Services Association Board. Richard believes well designed programmes co-created with those they aim to support can make a genuine difference to people's lives.
Stephen King
Chief Financial Officer
Stephen’s career began with Price Waterhouse, and subsequently he joined Total UK before moving into private equity. Following this Stephen worked in senior finance roles within Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, one of the UK's largest Housing Associations. Stephen brings experience of leading people through significant change and improving business performance and efficiencies, working nationally with teams across the country to instil stronger working practices at scale.
Victoria Blakeman
Operational Managing Director of Justice, Community Health and Wellbeing, Charitable Services and Enterprise
Victoria challenges perceptions, a highly regarded, passionate and caring leader, former prison governor Victoria, joined Prospects as Director of Offender Management in June 2013. She champions better education for boys in Feltham YOI and is a powerful advocate for rehabilitation. Victoria is responsible for Shaw Trust’s work across three sectors and puts the wellbeing of her staff and those we support at the heart of her work. Victoria previously advised the UK Government and UN on counter-terrorism measures in the rehabilitation of offenders. Victoria served as the Head of UK Corrections and Detentions in Afghanistan and was involved in the construction of and restructure of management at Lashkar Gar prison. Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn.