Karen Brock

Strategic Learning, Talent & Innovation Leader

Strategic and influential Learning, Talent and Innovation Leader with 25 years' experience working within policing, including 20 years delivering learning from frontline, grass-roots delivery to enterprise-wide strategy. Specialising in transforming organisational learning ecosystems through evidence-based commissioning, innovative design, robust governance and strategic alignment to operational and organisational priorities.

A skilled communicator and trusted advisor to executives, leading high-performing teams, shaping organisation-wide workforce development strategy, and design learning and talent systems that drive capability, performance and culture change at scale. Taking pride in delivering services that exceed organisational expectations, strengthen accountability, advance inclusion and ensure that both stakeholder and employee needs are consistently met.

TRANSFORMING LEARNING STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE

• Designed and implemented an enterprise-wide commissioning and governance model—creating clear decision-making accountability, delegated authority, risk management visibility and escalation routes into the Executive Team.

• Modernised learning governance to ensure alignment with operational priorities, strategic workforce needs and financial stewardship.

DELIVERY & PERFORMANCE AT SCALE

• Overseeing 300+ face-to-face programmes, including mandatory, legislative, operational and soft-skills learning, with full accountability for design, scheduling, delivery, quality assurance and evaluation.

• Managed learning at large scale: 65,000 enrolments, 54,000 completions, 3,000 non-attendance, 8,000 withdrawals over FY 24–25.

• Oversaw 525,000+ digital learning completions in 12 months via the College of Policing LMS, supporting 15,000+ active users.

EVALUATION, INSIGHT & BUSINESS VALUE

• Established a force-wide evaluation framework, achieving:

– 50.2% evaluation response rate (vs 25% target)

– 99.7% achievement of learning aims and objectives (vs 90% target)

– 84.4% training usage rate (vs 80% target)

– 4.9/5 trainer rating (vs 4.5 goal)

– NPS +71 (world-class benchmark level)

INNOVATION & CULTURAL IMPACT

• Pioneered evidence-based blended learning, behavioural programmes, design thinking approaches and immersive/emotive learning methodologies (including theatre-based interventions) that influenced national learning practice.

• Recognised repeatedly as a visionary and inspirational leader who builds capability, empowers teams and shifts culture.

FINANCIAL & COMMERCIAL VALUE

• Manages multi-million pound external training budget, as well as significant leadership and talent budgets

•Led all external training commissioning, achieving 5-day turnaround against a 28-day SLA, consistently delivering best value for money.

• Established supplier relationships with Further Education and Awarding Bodies to support range of externally delivered professional qualifications