Spotlight on a CEO

Leaders Who Inspire

Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by many people, but two individuals stand out. The first is Sarah Bamford, whom I met at 16 while volunteering at Oakvale School. Sarah, a passionate change-maker, founded Communicate—a charity for young people with communication difficulties—and later co-founded Talking Benches, an initiative to reduce social isolation and suicide by encouraging conversations. Her dedication to empowering disabled people left a lasting impact on me and shaped my career path.

The second is Mike Evans, President of the European Union of Supported Employment and creator of the 5 Stage Toolkit. I first encountered his work at a Copenhagen conference and later had the privilege of working alongside him when he became CEO of Guernsey Employment Trust (GET). Mike’s visionary leadership and commitment to achieving better outcomes for disabled individuals deeply influenced my own leadership approach. Taking over as CEO in 2018, I still carry forward the lessons I learned from both Sarah and Mike.

My Leadership Style

Reflecting on my own leadership style, I would describe it as team-focused, collaborative, and passionate about diversity and inclusion. I believe in leading with empathy and fostering an environment of trust and open communication. At GET, I make a conscious effort to spend time with my team—whether it’s making coffee or chatting informally—which helps build connections and gain insights into how the organisation is functioning. Creating a supportive work-life balance is crucial, and I lead by example by taking time for self-care and encouraging staff to do the same.

Collaboration is a key aspect of my leadership. At GET, we hold regular meetings to share successes, discuss challenges, and learn from mistakes. While collaboration can be challenging, especially when perspectives differ, I’ve learned that openness to other viewpoints and building strong relationships leads to better outcomes.

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to my approach. GET is built on creating opportunities for inclusion and belonging through employment, and our team reflects this commitment. With staff from varied backgrounds and lived experiences, we make it a point to embrace diverse perspectives and use them to shape our services. Recognising individual contributions is vital, whether it’s thanking a colleague for their expertise or publicly acknowledging their efforts.

Building Trust and Empowering Others

To build and maintain trust within the team, I focus on transparency, open communication, and demonstrating confidence in my colleagues’ abilities. Staff are encouraged to take ownership of their work without excessive oversight, fostering a culture where they feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them. Mistakes are seen as opportunities to grow rather than reasons for blame.

External collaboration is also essential, and I often seek advice and support from peers in the third sector. Building connections with other leaders has been invaluable in navigating challenges and making informed decisions. I strongly believe that leadership should not be about holding power but using it responsibly to uplift others and drive positive change.

Personal Growth and Continuous Learning

Leadership is an ongoing journey, and I am committed to continuous learning and self-awareness. Programs like Engaged Leadership and tools such as psychometrics have helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses. I recognise that while I am a people-focused leader, I need to work on data analysis and strategic planning. Embracing growth, both personally and professionally, remains central to how I lead.

My motto is simple: practice makes progress. I encourage my team to embrace imperfection and approach challenges with curiosity and openness. Creating a culture where it’s safe to ask questions and admit uncertainties is vital to building a resilient and innovative team.

Looking Ahead

As GET continues to evolve, my priority is to deliver our strategy, build on our values, and remain adaptive to change. I am proud of the progress we have made, but there is always more to learn and more to accomplish. Surrounded by passionate and dedicated colleagues, I feel confident in our collective ability to make a difference and empower more individuals to find meaningful employment.