Interim Chief Executive Officer at South Kent Mind

I worked as Interim CEO at South Kent Mind on 6 July 2020 until April 2021 for 20 hours per week.

I acted as trouble-shooter in a period of Crisis, joining at a time when trustees were uncertain of their future viability following over two years of frequent change in senior leadership.  I completed a staffing restructure and co-designed a new delivery model with staff, service users and stakeholders. I ensured they achieved the Mind Quality Mark for the first time. I redesigned the budget to clarify financial viability and implemented a full cost recovery model for future funding applications. I oversee review and updating of the website and implementation of the Charitylog database to report activity. I applied for a range of grant funding and drafted a successful business case for a

new community fundraiser post.

I ensured the organisation was in a much healthier position by the time my role ended.

Testimonial from the Chair of the Board of Trustees:

Steve and I worked together over a 9-month period when, as Chair of South Kent Mind, I appointed him as Interim CEO.  It was a difficult period as we were coming to terms with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, different ways of working during ‘lockdown’ and how to run a face-to-face service remotely.

Steve had a hugely challenging role to fill: not only did he have to get to grips with the objectives and management requirements of the organisation, he also had to meet and manage staff, while ensuring we continued to deliver a service to customers – and all remotely.

Throughout Steve was calm and collected. He dealt with everything that was thrown at him in a committed, measured and organised way, fulfilling all the objectives Trustees asked of him.  He quickly rallied staff around him while providing a secure shoulder for me to lean on as Chair. During his tenure he oversaw a restructure of the organisation which ensured we were fit to ride out the pandemic, got to grips with the nitty gritty stuff of running a mental health charity and succeeded in raising much needed funds too.  

Steve has a range of excellent qualities which he bring to his professional life.  He is strategic, analytical and focussed and does not shy away from confronting difficult situations.  He is compassionate, a good communicator, collegiate and an excellent team leader.  

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Steve and would love to do so again. 

Penelope James