Karen Ironside

Played key role in establishing Caudwell Youth, that supports young people at-risk. I built relationship with John Caudwell, founder a of the charity, and co-led creation of organisation. As of November 2023, together we oversee a team of 22 staff members who deliver high-quality services and programs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead on HR in particular compliance with key policies, training requirements, etc.
• Lead on Risk: identifying and assessing strategic risks, issues and opportunities and take responsibility for initiating and leading associated changes.
• Lead on Governance and main board link.
• Co-lead on strategic direction of Caudwell Youth in conjunction with Board of Trustees; embedding organisational culture; financial management; development and delivery of future business plans; work towards long-term sustainability.
• Lead on development of network of corporate and major donor supporters through Torchrunners programme.
• Ensuring that Caudwell Youth is example of best practice.

This role was strategic split from Projects Director which is outlined below.

• Member of SMT responsible for strategic direction of organisation with impact beyond partnerships including challenging transition from founder to new CEO.
• Establishing and developing key external stakeholder partnerships with statutory bodies such as DWP, NHS, local authorities, educational institutions to create funding and referral streams. Established first fully funded NHS partnership.
• Developed Champions Network of corporate partners committed to championing young people through opportunities, volunteering, community fundraising or corporate sponsorship while meeting their strategic aims. Within first 6 months, 6 major partners on board.
• Responsible for 48% of organisation's annual income in final 12 months of charity.
• Until July 2022, Designated Safeguarding Lead responsible for ensuring legal compliance and all safeguarding and risk incidents.
• VCSE representative on Community Board of NHS Integrated Care Board.

The position came to an end when organisation went into insolvency in September 22. I then approached the billionaire, John Caudwell and led on creation of Caudwell Youth, a new charity, which provided 14 Transitions UK staff with employment.

Includes all roles defined in Partnerships Director above.

• Reporting directly to CEO, member of SMT, leadership of all areas of outreach activities including expansion into 6 new regions.
• Supporting staff to develop beneficiary referral and volunteer recruitment streams.
• Drove partner retention through quality project execution including new and continuation funding.
• Ensured quality control mechanisms were in place, KPI reporting, volunteer recruitment programmes, staff and volunteer CPD and that all mechanisms work together to maximise impact.
• Developing new mental health project from concept to implementation.

• Facilitated not-for-profits (NFPs) and key partners such as Buckinghamshire Council to develop multi-stakeholder projects.
• Part of core team of key funders, infrastructure charities and Buckinghamshire Council who led on charity (VCSE) response to Covid-19.
• Sat on Funding Strategy Board (Voluntary and Charity Sector). Members included Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Members / CEOs of infrastructure charities. Led on funding data reporting.

• Ensured coordinated approach to employer engagement and work related learning brokerage by building strategic relationships with key agencies (local government, NFPs, social enterprises).
• Account managed 19 schools across Buckinghamshire.
• Broke down barriers to programme engagement by building strong relationships with stakeholders enabling schools to work towards meeting Gatsby Benchmarks.
• Developed opportunities for young people to participate in employer-led programmes and activities in partnership with senior business leaders and schools e.g. Bucks Skills Show, attended by 4,000 students with 120 exhibitors.

• Built and maintained excellent, collaborative working relationships with stakeholders including world leading academics and senior international business people.
• Operationally managed all teaching weeks: academic liaison, resource development, workshops, feedback processes, catering.
• Project managed overseas modules e.g. Bangalore for 60 students, with budget of £200,000, corporate visits, transports, hotels, events.
• Gathered and analysed data for forecasting, monitoring and quarterly reviews of programme budgets.

• Coordinated activities of students, academics and senior management as related to programme operations including running of two programmes - MSc Sustainable Urban Development and PGCert Ecology.
• Supported 50 students through onboarding process including financial and academic due diligence, visas.

• Took department from - Ofsted Special Measures to Good (Bovington) and Outstanding (St. Egwins).
• Managed data, budget, planning, events and resourcing for cross functional teams.

Previous to working in middle schools, I spent 3 years as a History teacher in secondary schools; 4 years in Poland working with school aged young people and adults as an English teacher.