About Ben

I have over 25 years experience working across civil society. As CEO of bassac and Responsible Finance, and founder Director of Blackfriars Advice Centre, I have real world, practical knowledge of starting, managing, leading (and merging) charities.

Chairing FIAC (now advice UK), MHCLG's ministerial Board and currently Economy, has taught me what maintaining strategic oversight really means, whilst the various NED and adviser roles I've had on Boards such as ACF, Fair Life and a school governing body have exposed me to a breadth of organisational forms and development approaches that makes this sector so unique.

These roles have given me access - and insight - into the advice, community development, arts, finance, social investment and new economy sectors. Although 'culturally' different, the thread that links them, and that remains core to all my work and associated activities, is social justice.

Keen to broaden my portfolio, my recent work has included interim leadership and support roles which, along with a growing interest in academic research has enabled me to do what I really enjoy – work with people, across civil society, who are managing projects, programmes and organisations in a rapidly changing environment.