Karen Creavin

Leadership & Organisational Development: As a senior leader in Europe’s largest local authority, I successfully managed substantial budgets and led comprehensive service restructures, pivoting from traditional sport delivery to a holistic wellbeing approach that prioritised underserved communities. The transformation generated evidence-based impact while securing additional funding across several years.  

I worked with the Local Authority to establish a Community Benefit Society to externalise the service into, and as CEO have grown it from 22 staff and £1.2M to a £6M organization with 150+ employees operating nationally. I have extensive knowledge of leading and reconfiguring organisations and eco systems to ensure they deliver the best possible outcomes for communities and stakeholders.    

System Change & Theoretical Expertise  

My academic background includes a Masters in Public Sector Management and extensive study of public sector system change theory. I’ve developed practical frameworks for translating theory into impactful practice, particularly in sport, leisure, and wellbeing services. This includes co designing and delivering the innovative “Festival of Fearlessness” leadership program, which has equipped 60+ sector leaders with system change capabilities, as well as co-authoring the Active Communities artefact taws_ac-story-artefact_FINAL-WEB.pdf  

Facilitation & Collaborative Partnerships  

I’m an experienced facilitator and trainer, and have significant experience chairing meetings as well as facilitating processes. I am a  qualified facilitator in both Time to Think and Lewis Method Deep Democracy approaches, with extensive experience facilitating cross-organizational learning. My work includes:  

• Delivering Leadership Essential programs for the LGA for 8 years  

• Providing keynotes and workshops for NGBs, NHS bodies, local authorities, and international organizations  

• Supporting councillor development through mentoring and group learning opportunities  

• Successful consultancy work with diverse organizations including Public Health teams, Active Partnerships, and NGBs  

Strategic Partnership Experience  

My collaborative approach has included serving on Birmingham’s Health and Wellbeing Board, two full terms as an independent member of Sport England’s Investment Committee, and extensive work with DCMS developing national policy and practice. In understand senior level governance, the role of shared space between trustees and officers/ members and officer, and how to hold space for the strategic oversight required at national and local levels.   

Values-Driven Approach  

I lead with passion, integrity, and a commitment to anti-discriminatory practices. I am deeply committed to distributed leadership and non hierarchical structures, and my practice is informed by deep ecological theory. I have lead anti-racist organisational development work and fostered an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives.  

I am available for consultancy, facilitation, conveying, collaboration and co creation, and leadership training.