Charles Bicker MSt. (Cantab), FRSANon-executive Director
Charles is a social entrepreneur, strategist, policy advisor and academic with some 30 years experience of growing organisations - specialising in innovation and the development of growth models for the social sector. Charles is a member of Wolfson College, Cambridge, and has published a number of papers in his field.
He is probably most widely known as Strategic Director of the iconic and award winning Blackthorn Trust, widely cited in research as the founder of the Healthy Living movement.
Charles has been involved nationally and locally in policy implementation strategies, the development of social enterprise strategy and the creation of network structures, such as; Social Enterprise South East (joint founding Chair); Kent & Medway Social Enterprise Network CIC (founding Chair). He headed Innovation for Health, commissioned by the Minister of Health, which researched and advised on innovation and commissioning with Social Enterprise - one of the legacies has been The Innovation Consortium CIC, the national support & policy body. Recently Charles has been working to leverage more mainstream investment into the social sector.
Charles has wide experience in social investment & funding; national strategy & social sector consultancy; which has included past moderator roles at Government Regional Offices & RDAs; membership of government panels; advising or supporting grant making charities and local authorities - as well as leading or chairing large consortium initiatives.
Current Positions:
Executive Chair, The Bay Trust
Chair, Cathedral Innovation Centre
Executive Chair, The Innovation Consortium CIC
Trustee, Muddy Wellies Charity
Trustee, The Cleary Foundation
Director, Positively Useful Limited
Executive Chair