Carl Bennett

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT CARL BENNETT

Head of Services at North Staffs Cheshire Mind/s. The role provides me an opportunity to realign with a key health theme and re-engade health peers and colleagues across a wide geographic area. In all my roles I have worked to address inequality, health improvement and increase participation in positive activities & action. I am an individual with a passion for social justice and believe in the power of story telling. After 3.5yrs at Age UK Staffordshire, an extremely challenging period, I supported the Trustees in the closure of the Charity and Business earlier in 2025. I worked at Gedling BC as Service Manager for Leisure Transformation until April 2021.In October 2019, after 3+ yrs, I finished working at Stoke City Community Trust where my work involved leading on various inclusion, diversity and health themes. My work cut across club activity and priorities. I supported the Premier League on equality, diversity and disability strands. In 2018 I was appointed by Quest as an independant assessor for the PMIF assessment process for Active Partnerships, my appointment endorsed by Sport England and the Active Partnerships Network. I have also been 1 of 2 Validators for Quest \'Stretch\', with the ability to award an \'Outstanding\' Quest rating. Volunteering: In 2024 I was appointed as Senior Independent Director at Staffordshire FA following a near 4 year period as Chairperson of the Inclusion Advisory Group and Board member for Equality, Inclusion & Diversity. Around the same time I was appointed as Chairperson for the Stoke City External EDI Board. I have had many voluntary roles and see volunteering as a key way of giving back and supporting organisations. I also volunteer for a local Community Cinema.I chaired the CIMSPA Board for an interim period and was an elected NED. I lead the appointment process of the CEO, the Sport England mandated Governance Review and the Chairperson recruitment & selection process. My 4yr NED role further developed my understanding of governance, financial management and relationship building at the highest of sector levels. I resigned my 30yr membership in October \'22.My near 16yrs in the NHS led me to become a Senior Commissioning Manager working in Public Health.I spent 17yrs at Knowsley Metropolitan BC working my way from Lifeguard to Principal Officer, with facility management, events and community development becoming key areas of my work. I ended my tenure at KMBC in the Health Promotion Team - This, along with my qualification pathway, encouraged / enabled me to enter the NHS.