Testimonials
Tracy and Chris have been instrumental in the successful creation and launch of PHASE (Young Peoples Support) CIC. PHASE is a local authority staff spin out. Throughout the process they have provided expert in depth knowledge of business planning and all aspects of developing and governing a company. They have applied excellent negotiating skills, diplomacy and although not lawyers they have an excellent knowledge base on contracts. They have excellent associates who provided expert consultation with young people and staff and work on demand and capacity. Highly recommend them for any consultancy on developing a Social Enterprise.
Sue Whitfield, Managing Director, PHASE (Young Peoples Support) CIC
We appointed Banks Cannell LLP to develop a business plan and financial model to build a new hospice and to take over the specialist palliative care services currently provided by the NHS at the Arthur Rank Hospice, Cambridge and across Cambridgeshire. They were recommended to us because of their knowledge of the NHS and experience in strategic and financial planning. Although the recent changes in the NHS have been highly disruptive to the project plan, we have nevertheless made substantial headway, and greatly valued the insight and guidance that Banks Cannell have given to the Charity so far, and hopefully ongoing to completion. This work has included developing the business plan and financial model, supporting us to build strategic relationships, working with and supporting the service manager, and facilitating a workshop with clinical leadership to think about innovative service design.
Dr Lynn Morgan, Chief Executive, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity
Cambridgeshire County Council appointed Banks Cannell LLP through a competitive tender process in 2012 to provide external support to establish Healthwatch Cambridgeshire as an independent social enterprise to carry out the statutory functions of the local Healthwatch. Banks Cannell were flexible, responsive and sensitive to the political context in which this project was operating. They performed the tasks effectively and efficiently and Healthwatch was successfully launched on time and to budget in accordance with the contract in April 2013.
Adam Speed, Policy and Projects Officer, Cambridgeshire County Council
Chris and Tracy have been and continue to be an invaluable asset in ensuring the establishment of East Coast Community Healthcare as an independent organisation and in developing our embryo organisation as we trade as a Community Interest Company, ensuring the "must do" actions are taken whilst planning for future business opportunities. Internally, they have put in place a structure which enables the efficient management of our business and facilitates essential cultural change. Externally, they continue to build positive partnership working arrangements with key stakeholders in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney health and care economy, not least our principle commissioners and the local acute hospital. I can speak for the Board in finding Chris and Tracy a pleasure to work with. Their approachable, facilitative style is underpinned by a real depth of expertise, knowledge and experience.
Paul Steward, Chair, East Coast Community Healthcare CIC
The PCT has been very satisfied with the work undertaken. BCL's approach has been open, transparent and inclusive which has significantly improved the level of trust between the new organisation and the PCT and other stakeholders. BCL proved its responsiveness during a difficult time in July 2011 when the project looked under threat and they have continued to work flexibly with the social enterprise since then.
On 1st October 2011 I sent Tracy and Chris the following message: "Many congratulations on your first day as ECCH. I hope it will be one of many successful days for the social enterprise. I am pleased that we were able to get to this stage but I know it would not have happened without the pair of you. Thank you for coming to the rescue of the proposal and for working so hard to overcome a number of obstacles.
Andrew Morgan, Chief Executive, NHS Norfolk and Waveney
I found Tracy and Chris very easy to work with. They really knew their way around the NHS and how to negotiate with the PCT and how to access funding support from SEIF. They were very responsive, flexible and accessible, and calm and reassuring when we had the occasional problem, particularly through negotiations with the PCT. It was fun and a pleasure to work with them and I have recommended them to other aspiring social entrepreneurs. I would very much like to work with them both again in the future.
Liz Weatherill, Managing Director, Enable 2 CIC
Tracy's expert skills, help and advice were key to getting us through the NHS Right to Request process and establishing our service as a Social Enterprise. She has a detailed understanding of how Social Enterprise can work in the health care sector and her knowledge and experience of NHS management makes her a very effective advocate and negotiator. She has a sharp mind, and a very good network of contacts.
Dr Les Goldman, Chair, Bevan Healthcare CIC
I worked as a director under Chris's leadership. I highly recommend him as a CEO of exceptional abilities who never lost touch with the front line and kept his sense of humour. He is an excellent strategist and brilliant at working with partners. He was missed greatly when he left and the organisation never recovered from the loss.
Dr Dennis Cox, Director of Clinical Redesign and Service Improvement, NHS Cambridgeshire
Banks Cannell provided us with the support we needed to successfully develop our business plan and launch our social enterprise. We couldn’t have succeeded without their expertise and advice, and with their support and guidance we also secured new premises and a five year contract with commissioners. Tracy and Chris are professional, down to earth and extremely knowledgeable about health care policy, social enterprise and the commercial sector. Their friendly no nonsense approach make them a pleasure to work with, and we couldn't have got here without them.
Jean McVann, Managing Director, Gateway Primary Care CIC
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Chris during his time as the boss of NHS Cambridgeshire. He's one of those rare people with a proper grasp of the importance of social, economic and environmental development to health improvement. Chris is skilled at working with partners from across the whole system to make things happen. He has strong leadership skills, high emotional intelligence and is a great coach. He is justifiably credible in a wide range of settings.
Mark Lloyd Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire County Council
Chris was and continues to be a professional colleague albeit we now work in very different arenas. I have known Chris for a number of years and have been struck by his objective and balanced consideration of issues and ability to cut through the irrelevant and get to the heart of the issue. When engaging with colleagues he has done so with wit and humour which has enabled him to convey complex and difficult issues in a very accessible way.He has always been respected and popular with colleagues but more so he has been respected for his grasp of issues and ability to focus on the important in an inspiring way. He has great sensitivity and it was noticeable that his voice carried significant weight with all parties with whom he engaged.he knows his business and makes a point of seeing the issue from a client or colleagues perspective using the breadth of his wide experience and professional expertise to great effect.
Carole Taylor-Brown, Chief Executive, NHS Suffolk
Chris and I worked together when he was CEO of NHS Cambridgeshire and I was Programme Manager for Sue Ryder Care. We were exploring potential partnership or more formal working formats between our two organisations. I found him clear thinking, honourable and easy to work with. He was open to innovative and imaginative solutions to address the requirements while also holding a clear view of the outcome required. He clearly was respected by his team and had a focussed vision for his organisation. He dealt skilfully and honestly with challenging situations when they arose.
Sue Gray, Health & Social Care Executive &Trainer Programme Manager, Sue Ryder Care
For many years Chris has operated successfully at a leadership level in the complex cultural environment of the health care industry. He has a deep insight into all aspects of the health sector and has the experience of operating at Board level as a provider and a payer. This, combined with his friendly and open demeanor means that he engages well with those he works with and can quickly find effective, practical solutions to complex problems. In my experience, he commands a great deal of loyalty from those who work with him.
Jacque Mallender Owner & Chief Executive, The Matrix Knowledge Group
I have seen Chris operating at very senior levels of the NHS, firstly as a CEO of one of the first NHS Foundation Trusts and then in his role as CEO of NHS Cam. In all of that time, I have been impressed with Chris's ability to grasp new concepts and to deal with new issues very quickly. He is very much a people person who engenders loyalty from people who work for him and is a strong motivator. His move from the acute health sector into his current role appears to have been made smoothly and successfully. Although always highly professional, Chris has a laid back style which makes him extremely approachable. As well as a deep understanding of the NHS, Chris also posesses strong financial and commercial skills.
Paul da Rita, Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Sue Whitfield, Managing Director, PHASE (Young Peoples Support) CIC
We appointed Banks Cannell LLP to develop a business plan and financial model to build a new hospice and to take over the specialist palliative care services currently provided by the NHS at the Arthur Rank Hospice, Cambridge and across Cambridgeshire. They were recommended to us because of their knowledge of the NHS and experience in strategic and financial planning. Although the recent changes in the NHS have been highly disruptive to the project plan, we have nevertheless made substantial headway, and greatly valued the insight and guidance that Banks Cannell have given to the Charity so far, and hopefully ongoing to completion. This work has included developing the business plan and financial model, supporting us to build strategic relationships, working with and supporting the service manager, and facilitating a workshop with clinical leadership to think about innovative service design.
Dr Lynn Morgan, Chief Executive, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity
Cambridgeshire County Council appointed Banks Cannell LLP through a competitive tender process in 2012 to provide external support to establish Healthwatch Cambridgeshire as an independent social enterprise to carry out the statutory functions of the local Healthwatch. Banks Cannell were flexible, responsive and sensitive to the political context in which this project was operating. They performed the tasks effectively and efficiently and Healthwatch was successfully launched on time and to budget in accordance with the contract in April 2013.
Adam Speed, Policy and Projects Officer, Cambridgeshire County Council
Chris and Tracy have been and continue to be an invaluable asset in ensuring the establishment of East Coast Community Healthcare as an independent organisation and in developing our embryo organisation as we trade as a Community Interest Company, ensuring the "must do" actions are taken whilst planning for future business opportunities. Internally, they have put in place a structure which enables the efficient management of our business and facilitates essential cultural change. Externally, they continue to build positive partnership working arrangements with key stakeholders in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney health and care economy, not least our principle commissioners and the local acute hospital. I can speak for the Board in finding Chris and Tracy a pleasure to work with. Their approachable, facilitative style is underpinned by a real depth of expertise, knowledge and experience.
Paul Steward, Chair, East Coast Community Healthcare CIC
The PCT has been very satisfied with the work undertaken. BCL's approach has been open, transparent and inclusive which has significantly improved the level of trust between the new organisation and the PCT and other stakeholders. BCL proved its responsiveness during a difficult time in July 2011 when the project looked under threat and they have continued to work flexibly with the social enterprise since then.
On 1st October 2011 I sent Tracy and Chris the following message: "Many congratulations on your first day as ECCH. I hope it will be one of many successful days for the social enterprise. I am pleased that we were able to get to this stage but I know it would not have happened without the pair of you. Thank you for coming to the rescue of the proposal and for working so hard to overcome a number of obstacles.
Andrew Morgan, Chief Executive, NHS Norfolk and Waveney
I found Tracy and Chris very easy to work with. They really knew their way around the NHS and how to negotiate with the PCT and how to access funding support from SEIF. They were very responsive, flexible and accessible, and calm and reassuring when we had the occasional problem, particularly through negotiations with the PCT. It was fun and a pleasure to work with them and I have recommended them to other aspiring social entrepreneurs. I would very much like to work with them both again in the future.
Liz Weatherill, Managing Director, Enable 2 CIC
Tracy's expert skills, help and advice were key to getting us through the NHS Right to Request process and establishing our service as a Social Enterprise. She has a detailed understanding of how Social Enterprise can work in the health care sector and her knowledge and experience of NHS management makes her a very effective advocate and negotiator. She has a sharp mind, and a very good network of contacts.
Dr Les Goldman, Chair, Bevan Healthcare CIC
I worked as a director under Chris's leadership. I highly recommend him as a CEO of exceptional abilities who never lost touch with the front line and kept his sense of humour. He is an excellent strategist and brilliant at working with partners. He was missed greatly when he left and the organisation never recovered from the loss.
Dr Dennis Cox, Director of Clinical Redesign and Service Improvement, NHS Cambridgeshire
Banks Cannell provided us with the support we needed to successfully develop our business plan and launch our social enterprise. We couldn’t have succeeded without their expertise and advice, and with their support and guidance we also secured new premises and a five year contract with commissioners. Tracy and Chris are professional, down to earth and extremely knowledgeable about health care policy, social enterprise and the commercial sector. Their friendly no nonsense approach make them a pleasure to work with, and we couldn't have got here without them.
Jean McVann, Managing Director, Gateway Primary Care CIC
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Chris during his time as the boss of NHS Cambridgeshire. He's one of those rare people with a proper grasp of the importance of social, economic and environmental development to health improvement. Chris is skilled at working with partners from across the whole system to make things happen. He has strong leadership skills, high emotional intelligence and is a great coach. He is justifiably credible in a wide range of settings.
Mark Lloyd Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire County Council
Chris was and continues to be a professional colleague albeit we now work in very different arenas. I have known Chris for a number of years and have been struck by his objective and balanced consideration of issues and ability to cut through the irrelevant and get to the heart of the issue. When engaging with colleagues he has done so with wit and humour which has enabled him to convey complex and difficult issues in a very accessible way.He has always been respected and popular with colleagues but more so he has been respected for his grasp of issues and ability to focus on the important in an inspiring way. He has great sensitivity and it was noticeable that his voice carried significant weight with all parties with whom he engaged.he knows his business and makes a point of seeing the issue from a client or colleagues perspective using the breadth of his wide experience and professional expertise to great effect.
Carole Taylor-Brown, Chief Executive, NHS Suffolk
Chris and I worked together when he was CEO of NHS Cambridgeshire and I was Programme Manager for Sue Ryder Care. We were exploring potential partnership or more formal working formats between our two organisations. I found him clear thinking, honourable and easy to work with. He was open to innovative and imaginative solutions to address the requirements while also holding a clear view of the outcome required. He clearly was respected by his team and had a focussed vision for his organisation. He dealt skilfully and honestly with challenging situations when they arose.
Sue Gray, Health & Social Care Executive &Trainer Programme Manager, Sue Ryder Care
For many years Chris has operated successfully at a leadership level in the complex cultural environment of the health care industry. He has a deep insight into all aspects of the health sector and has the experience of operating at Board level as a provider and a payer. This, combined with his friendly and open demeanor means that he engages well with those he works with and can quickly find effective, practical solutions to complex problems. In my experience, he commands a great deal of loyalty from those who work with him.
Jacque Mallender Owner & Chief Executive, The Matrix Knowledge Group
I have seen Chris operating at very senior levels of the NHS, firstly as a CEO of one of the first NHS Foundation Trusts and then in his role as CEO of NHS Cam. In all of that time, I have been impressed with Chris's ability to grasp new concepts and to deal with new issues very quickly. He is very much a people person who engenders loyalty from people who work for him and is a strong motivator. His move from the acute health sector into his current role appears to have been made smoothly and successfully. Although always highly professional, Chris has a laid back style which makes him extremely approachable. As well as a deep understanding of the NHS, Chris also posesses strong financial and commercial skills.
Paul da Rita, Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers