Rita Evans

Rita recently served as interim Head of Organisational Effectiveness at Anchor Housing and has advised NHS England on OD and culture. One of the UK’s first NHS-validated system OD leaders, she is recognised for her collaborative, values-driven approach. A skilled coach and mentor, she supports leaders and teams through complex challenges.

She has led major transformation initiatives in health and social care, including cultural change, leadership development and place-based projects across Greater Manchester and Sheffield. This work involved collaboration with Sport England, GM Moving and various public services, voluntary sector and community groups.

Earlier roles include Director of OD at Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust, Assistant Director of OD at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and leadership development roles with various consultancy practices.

Rita’s work on The Big Conversation in Sheffield focused on addressing systemic inequalities and racism by enabling open dialogue and coaching leaders to adopt inclusive, community-led approaches.

As a facilitator for Place Partnerships, Rita looks forward to supporting local partners to tackle physical inactivity through collaboration, facilitating multi-agency meetings, offering constructive challenge and coaching teams to find shared solutions.

Rita is passionate about inclusion, community voice and sustainable change. Outside work, she chairs a local community group, volunteers in the UK and Africa and enjoys walking and Parkruns. She lives in the North West with her husband and has two grown-up children.