Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Volunteering
Additional Information
Timeline
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Lee Booth

Lee Booth

Spennymoor,Durham

Summary

Senior operational and compliance leader with over 20 years’ experience, including 8+ years in the charity sector. I’ve built my career around improving how services actually work — strengthening compliance, leading change, and helping teams deliver better outcomes.

I’m practical, commercially aware, and comfortable working at every level of an organisation, from frontline teams through to Board. I’ve led growth, improved performance under pressure, and turned insight from audits and data into real, lasting improvements.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work history

Compliance Lead – Quality Improvement

Mental Health Matters
Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
2024.10 - Current

Lead compliance and quality improvement across the organisation, working across multiple services to identify risk, strengthen governance, and improve delivery.

  • Deliver audits across services, identifying gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities
  • Turn findings into practical actions and work with teams to see them through to completion
  • Produce clear, balanced reports for senior leadership and Board
  • Develop and manage Quality Improvement Plans with clear ownership and outcomes
  • Act as a key point of advice on compliance, governance, and risk
  • Strengthened complaints and assurance processes, improving consistency and learning across services
  • Led development of the organisation’s Social Value Mission Statement, embedding it into practice

Head of Operations

Citizens Advice Gateshead / Society Matters CIC
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
2019.09 - 2024.08

Led day-to-day operations while supporting strategic direction and organisational growth.

Key achievements:

  • Helped build a social enterprise from the ground up to over £500k income
  • Secured contracts with NHS, local authorities and private sector organisations
  • Maintained performance and service quality during periods of rapid growth and change

Responsibilities:

  • Full responsibility for budgets, forecasting, income, and financial performance
  • Led contract negotiations and managed delivery across multiple services
  • Designed and delivered bids and tenders, including service models, costing and social value
  • Reported directly to the Board on performance, risks and strategic direction
  • Improved internal processes through audit, analysis and follow-through
  • Developed teams through workforce planning and CPD-accredited learning programmes

North East Gambling Support Lead

Citizens Advice Gateshead / GambleAware
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
2019.04 - 2019.09

Set up and delivered a regional gambling support service from scratch.

  • Built the service from initial concept through to full delivery
  • Achieved one of the highest performing services in England for reach, engagement and referrals
  • Delivered awareness campaigns through partnerships, workshops and local media
  • Improved frontline identification and referral pathways through training and engagement

Operational Trainer / Service Improvement Lead

Capita
Peterlee, Durham
2014.02 - 2019.04

Focused on improving operational performance and customer outcomes across services.

  • Delivered training programmes to improve performance and consistency
  • Embedded continuous improvement approaches across teams
  • Led system testing and identified improvements to support better service delivery
  • Coached managers and teams to improve efficiency and results

Earlier Career

Government & International Programme Delivery
Worldwide
2006.01 - 2014.01

Worked across a range of government departments delivering programmes in the UK and internationally.

  • Delivered work across 270+ global locations
  • Implemented emergency passport systems to support crisis response
  • Worked in high-risk and complex environments including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen
  • Recognised by the Foreign Office for dedication and work in challenging conditions

Education

CIPD Level 5 – Learning & Development -In Progress -

Diploma in Business Management -

NVQs in Customer Service & Team Management -

11 GCSEs - Including English & Maths -

Skills

  • Compliance & Governance
  • Quality Improvement & Audit
  • Operational Leadership
  • Service Transformation
  • Stakeholder & Board Engagement
  • Financial & Contract Management
  • Workforce Development
  • Risk & Assurance
  • Social Value & Sustainability

Volunteering

Flood Warden (Volunteer)
DEFRA | Mar 2023 – Present

· Act as local contact for flood preparedness and response

· Support planning, coordination and community awareness

· Work with agencies during periods of risk and support vulnerable residents

Room Guide (Volunteer)
National Trust – Cragside | Apr 2016 – Mar 2020

· Delivered engaging visitor experiences and informal talks

· Adapted communication to diverse audiences and supported engagement

Additional Information

Previously held SC Security Clearance
Full UK Driving Licence

Timeline

Compliance Lead – Quality Improvement

Mental Health Matters
2024.10 - Current

Head of Operations

Citizens Advice Gateshead / Society Matters CIC
2019.09 - 2024.08

North East Gambling Support Lead

Citizens Advice Gateshead / GambleAware
2019.04 - 2019.09

Operational Trainer / Service Improvement Lead

Capita
2014.02 - 2019.04

Earlier Career

Government & International Programme Delivery
2006.01 - 2014.01

CIPD Level 5 – Learning & Development -In Progress -

Diploma in Business Management -

NVQs in Customer Service & Team Management -

11 GCSEs - Including English & Maths -

Lee Booth