Charles is a successful independent consultant and award winning interim manager with both public and private sector experience.
Charles graduated from Dundee University in 1978 with a BSc (Hons) in Town and Regional Planning and has been a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 1982. He has also completed the LGMB Top Managers Programme.
Charles spent his early career in housing and planning with Dundee and Burnley Councils before moving to Salford City Council in 1986 where he became Assistant Chief Planner in 1989. He was Assistant Chief Executive and Director of Strategy and Regeneration at Salford from 1994 until 2005 where he established Salford’s national reputation for regeneration and partnership working. He also led the first national Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder for Manchester/Salford and served on various Boards, including Manchester Business Link.
Since setting up CGR in 2005, Charles has worked on a number of major assignments with the public and private sectors. He has prepared major planning submissions and has advised the private sector on their bidding and partnership arrangements with public bodies. He has worked with a series of local authorities on service reviews, strategy development, recruitment and programme delivery. He has undertaken a number of major interim senior management roles including: Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director (Environment), Cumbria County Council; Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, North Tyneside Council; Head of Housing Market Renewal, Liverpool City Council; and Director of the Liverpool Partnership.
Charles has over 30 years experience in regeneration, planning, corporate policy, economic development, housing, community engagement and the environment. He is a creative, analytical, and corporate team player with considerable skills and experience in leading policy and strategy development, together with the management and implementation of major complex programmes, projects and services. He has considerable experience of partnership working, promotion and negotiation across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Charles has extensive experience of working with local people and partners to transform and regenerate local communities, tackling the full range of economic, social and physical conditions.
