1. Leesa Herbert
leesa@leesaherbert.plus.com H: 020 8342 8392 / Mb: 07976 829784
A strategic leader with proven experience in diverse sectors including the voluntary sector, local
government, education and youth and children’s services. Strong and successful record of delivering large
scale, high profile national programmes. Responsive to organisational needs, managing change, influencer
and developer of people. Seeking an opportunity to make use of my experience and develop my skills.
KEY SKILLS
• Effective influencing and negotiating skills with senior decision makers
• Strong partnership and collaboration skills
• Creative thinker
• Bidding for, designing and leading large support programmes and services in the voluntary sector,
schools, children and youth services in local government
• Extensive experience of constructing, monitoring and reporting on large complex budgets
• Strong relationship skills with government and independent funders
• Wide experience of developing and supporting boards and advisory groups of experts at a senior
level,
• Confident speaker and facilitator involving civil servants, elected members and boards
• Change management; leading and supporting staff through organisational change, restructures and
mergers
• A comprehensive understanding of both the operating and policy environment across the voluntary,
health and public sector, especially public service delivery.
CAREER HISTORY
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) Jan 2007 to Present
Head Infrastructure Development
Delivering large grant and contract funded support and advice services providing on line, telephone and face to
face training and learning resources and events. Previously Head of Support and Advice and the Sustainable
Funding Programme at NCVO.
Key Achievements
Bid for, designed and led the delivery of the BIG Assist programme, (BLF £7m contract) a demand led support
service using an on line diagnostic, tailored support, vouchers and a large peer to peer programme to support
change.
Won the Government contract to run the Funding Central website, working with IT subcontractors to design
and deliver a website that has grown to have over 95,000 registered users providing a key asset for the
voluntary sector
Developed the Cultural Commissioning Programme funded by the arts council securing significant interest and
profile with the arts and cultural sector and public sector health including Public Health England, the NHS and
public service commissioners interested in non medical interventions eg through social prescribing
London Borough of Islington May 2002 – Dec 2006
Early Years Policy and Development Manager

2. Jointly managed a large team delivering the boroughs childcare strategy working alongside the EYDCP
Board of elected members, senior officers, the voluntary, private and public sector childcare providers
Managed the Islington Council £1.4m grant to voluntary sector childcare providers and the £2.5m General
Sure Start budget reporting to the EYDCP Board, National Sure Start Unit and Auditors.
Key Achievements
♦ Led the development of the Islington Childminding strategy to drive up quality and raise the status and
professional qualifications of childminders. Set up 5 networks, a base in each children’s centre and a
mentoring scheme
♦ Managed the change in Early Years settings inspections shift from the Council to Ofsted, reframing the
relationship and developing trust between the Council and providers
London Borough of Barnet Sept 1998 – May 2002
School Exclusions Officer
Leading work on school exclusions at Barnet Council put me at the centre of many controversies and conflicting
issues between young people, parents, schools, the police and criminal justice system, and the Council. I learnt to
work in an often highly charged political environment supporting senior officers, head teachers and elected
members faced with legal challenges, the Ombudsman and protest marching parents.
Key Achievements
♦ Reduced school exclusions by 1/3.
♦ Set up the ‘Next Steps’ project providing excluded students with a ‘one stop’ package of tailored support
across social services, CAMHS, teenage pregnancy, local colleges, youth offending teams and a range of
voluntary sector groups.
Highbury Grove School, Islington Sept 1997 – Aug1998
Classroom Teacher - part time whilst studying for an MA on School Improvement at the Institute of
Education.
Haverstock School, Camden Sept 1993 – Aug 1999Head
of Year and later Senior Teacher
♦ I was responsible for 180 young people the majority from families living in Chalk Farm housing estates. Many
of the young people were from poor families out of work facing multiple disadvantage.
♦ Working at a Head of Year and Senior Teacher I supported the diverse student population their parents and
carers through a whole range of challenges including leading on safe guarding and child protection. I
represented the school at a number of complex muliti agency child protection reviews
Key Achievements
Frustrated by poor schemes of work and dull resources I redesigned the sex education and careers
education programmes using a range of approaches including theatre, soaps, role play and cartoons on
relationships, consent, and keeping safe.
Set up a new careers programme with small group workplace visits interviewing staff about their jobs,
earnings and career paths.
Education and Training
MA School Improvement Institute of Education (part completed)
PGCE (Design Technology), Thames Polytechnic
City & Guilds Carpentry and Joinery, Haringey College
BA Hons Politics and History,Liverpool University
3 A Levels & 8 O Levels

3. RADA Voice of Influence training, recently attended two different leadership courses, one at CASS
Business school and one in NLP developing my coaching and relationship skills, I have also had training
and experience of Agile working.
References Justin Davis Smith OBE, Director Volunteering Development, Justin.davissmith@ncvo.org.uk
Jeremy Phillips Director Idox plc daj.phillips@gmail.com , jeremy.phillips@idoxgroup.com