Ben Gillard
Liverpool,Merseyside
Summary
Senior safeguarding, welfare, governance and compliance professional with extensive experience across national governing bodies, disability sport, and regulated care environments. Specialist in safeguarding strategy, complex case management, organisational risk, regulatory compliance, and cultural development. Recognised for delivering calm, proportionate and defensible decision-making in high‑risk and sensitive situations while strengthening governance frameworks, participant safety, and organisational integrity. Trusted advisor to boards, senior leaders, and operational teams on safeguarding, risk, and ethical practice.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Safeguarding Manager
British Rowing
Homebased
2024.02 - Current
- Led the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of safeguarding strategy, policy, and operational procedures across the national governing body.
- Acted as subject matter expert for safeguarding children and adults at risk, embedding safeguarding as a core organisational priority.
- Managed complex safeguarding concerns, poor practice, and abuse cases, ensuring high-quality risk assessment, decision-making, and record keeping.
- Provided leadership, oversight, and line management to Safeguarding & Integrity Case Officers, supporting case progression and resolution.
- Identified organisational safeguarding risks and implemented mitigation strategies to protect participants, volunteers, and the organisation.
- Served as central safeguarding contact for internal stakeholders, clubs, statutory agencies, and external partners.
- Strengthened the national support framework for Club Welfare Officers, improving safeguarding capability and consistency.
- Provided expert advice and guidance to clubs, Event Welfare Officers, coaches, and officials on safeguarding and welfare matters.
- Contributed to organisational governance through preparation of reports, risk updates, and Board-level briefings.
- Supported safeguarding audits and compliance requirements, including CPSU and Ann Craft Trust frameworks.
- Oversaw DBS processes and case-related risk decisions arising from disclosures.
- Ensured safeguarding considerations were integrated into organisational planning, events, and operational delivery.
Safeguarding Lead
Special Olympics
2022.09 - 2024.02
- Lead the development and implementation of a fit-for-purpose Safeguarding Strategy and Framework across Great Britain.
- Lead safeguarding education and training initiatives to upskill staff and volunteers.
- Provide oversight and advice on safeguarding matters for athletes, clubs, and stakeholders.
- Ensure effective management of safeguarding cases, enquiries, and resolutions.
- Develop minimum operating requirements and quality assurance processes.
- Coordinate safeguarding frameworks for major events.
- Work with national and international safeguarding bodies to ensure compliance with evolving standards.
- Produce Board-level reports to inform strategic and risk-based decision-making.
- Analyse safeguarding operations and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Liaise with Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia and Special Olympics International on safeguarding frameworks.
Quality, Risk and Compliance Consultant
Self-Employed
2021.06 - Current
- Assess and analyse the organisational readiness against practice standards especially areas of risk, service delivery, safeguarding, mandatory reporting and practices that require authorisation due to human rights encroachment.
- Plan compliance requirements with organisational directors and management.
- Support organisations to deliver key requirements for quality and compliance - policy writing, procedural development, training and development of management and front-line staff in relation to compliance, report and best practice service delivery.
- Evaluation of outcomes and monitoring of standards put in place.
- Support directors and management through external audit procedures - advice on continuous improvement actions.
- Support organisations regarding safeguarding incident management and restrictive practices when critical incidents occur.
Quality Business Partner
Scope @ Home,
Hawthorn, VIC
2016.12 - 2021.05
- Supported and mentored operational teams in delivering person-centred practice.
- Reviewed, investigated, and reported critical incidents.
- Developed continuous improvement action plans.
- Conducted data analysis to identify patterns and risks.
- Supported compliance audits and safeguarding culture initiatives.
Quality Monitoring and Compliance Officer
Interchange Inner East
Canterbury, VIC
2017.01 - 2019.12
- Led implementation of NDIS Practice Standards.
- Conducted audits and compliance monitoring.
- Investigated incidents and allegations.
- Provided training and operational risk guidance.
- Managed direct reports to ensure quality objectives were met.
Service Delivery Quality Officer
Sunnyfield Disability Services
Allambie Heights, Sydney
2014.05 - 2017.12
- Carried out in-depth inspections, eliminated potential hazards.
- Conducted regular audits, enhanced overall system performance.
- Enhanced team productivity by providing constructive feedback regularly.
- Achieved operational efficiency with meticulous process evaluation.
Registered General Nurse
NHS Professionals, Manchester, UK
Manchester
2007.01 - 2014.12
Education
Safeguarding Level 3 Adults and Children -
CPD Online College
2023.01 - 2026.02
Senior First Aid Certificate - undefined
CPR Certificate - undefined
Certificate 4 in Business Leadership - undefined
Diploma - undefined
Health and Social Care
Skills
- Dynamic leadership
- Emphasised quality and continuous improvement by proactively identifying mechanical issues and implementing forward-thinking solutions
- Designated safeguardinglead knowledge
- Evidence-based best practice
Personal Information
Availability: Travel between the United Kingdom and Australia with temporary work
Affiliations
- volunteering for mental health charity
- sport and physical training
- travel
- personal development
- playing guitar
Timeline
Safeguarding Manager
British Rowing
2024.02 - Current
Safeguarding Level 3 Adults and Children -
CPD Online College
2023.01 - 2026.02
Safeguarding Lead
Special Olympics
2022.09 - 2024.02
Quality, Risk and Compliance Consultant
Self-Employed
2021.06 - Current
Quality Monitoring and Compliance Officer
Interchange Inner East
2017.01 - 2019.12
Quality Business Partner
Scope @ Home,
2016.12 - 2021.05
Service Delivery Quality Officer
Sunnyfield Disability Services
2014.05 - 2017.12
Registered General Nurse
NHS Professionals, Manchester, UK
2007.01 - 2014.12
Senior First Aid Certificate - undefined
CPR Certificate - undefined
Certificate 4 in Business Leadership - undefined
Diploma - undefined
Health and Social Care