Testimonials
What people say about Chris and Time for Impact.
Chris brings many years of experience in people and culture issues. I have really valued his support and challenge as a non-exec as NCVO has worked through a wide ranging cultural transformation. Chris blends technical HR knowledge, with a great understanding of what works in terms of wider organisational development. He has provided expert input into specific areas of our organisations such as policy formation as well as overseeing the development and delivery of our wider people strategy. - Sarah Vibert, CEO NCVO
I had the pleasure of working with Chris at Victim Support. Chris is a dynamic, visionary leader who is hugely supportive, kind and generous with his time. Over the years I have benefited from his advice and counsel on a wide range of people and culture issues. Chris is passionate about involvement, with expertise in volunteering and supporter engagement honed through years of working in national charities. I would thoroughly recommend Chris to any organisation looking for consultancy on people/culture/involvement work. A natural innovator, Chris brings fresh ideas and a supportive approach to his work. - Morven McLean, Director of People and Strategy, Children's Hospices Across Scotland.
I met Chris when I worked with him as a member of the NCVO's HR and Remuneration Committee which provided HR expertise to NCVO and was responsible for senior remuneration and strategic governance of HR activities. Chris has a depth of technical HR and transformation knowledge and I appreciated that he was very willing to share his expertise to enable and empower others, giving guidance and insights to NCVO at a time of great change. I gained a lot from him during our time on the Committee, specifically in relation to understanding the Trustee role, ways to give constructive challenge within the charity governance framework and in relation to pay and reward in the voluntary sector. Leader in his field, calm and engaging, has a coaching and supportive approach. I was also very grateful for the support he gave to me when I became the interim Chair of the Committee. - Karen Chapman, Experience HR Director.
Chris is a strategic thinker who is not afraid to challenge the status quo and to make changes but always in a respectful and considered way. Chris built on his experience and leadership of volunteers in organisations to take on the full people portfolio in a very impressive way. He always pushed the team to think beyond the transactional and to think about the bigger picture. - Peter Reeve, CEO, Charity HR Network.
In 2023, Chris provided a really inspiring and thought provoking keynote presentation that framed our conference, Heritage Volunteering '23, perfectly. He is an engaging and arresting speaker and, as one of delegates said in their feedback, “is really inspiring”. Beyond his opening keynote, Chris was great to work with before the conference, providing us with everything we needed to promote him and the event. He also stayed on, attending the two days, and hosting an impromptu and very insightful Q&A. In short, Chris was great and we look forward to working with him more in the future. - Matthew Hick - Chair, Heritage Volunteering Group
Chris is a creative and thoughtful leader with a focus on outcomes, strategic positioning and delivery. He is compassionate and most definitely a people person with a knack for getting the best out of others.
Chris is resolute, determined and persistent but knows when to bend and flex. An exceptional communicator, facilitator and speaker, Chris can and often does enthuse those he meets. - John Gillies-Wilkes, Experienced EDI and Operational Delivery Executive.
I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Chris Wade at the Motor Neurone Disease Association when I was a Trustee (Former Chair) of that charity, and he was the Director of Engagement, People & Culture.
Chris’s responsibilities covered Volunteering, HR, Learning, Inclusion and Membership. In this capacity, Chris was extremely pro-active and innovative – utilising his significant prior experience in these fields. This manifested itself in his leadership role/qualities, strategic thinking and organisational ability. Having executive responsibility in these areas, Chris brought a great deal to the table in Board of Trustees discussions, and those of the Governance Committee. However, not only did he carefully consider and present the current risks and challenges of the developing strategy, but also demonstrated with speed and care his ability to oversee the implementation of his plans and ideas, whilst at all times ensuring that risks were properly identified, managed and mitigated.
As a knowledgeable, committed and wholly supportive colleague, I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Chris for whatever role he chooses to undertake in this sector. - Alan Graham MBE, Trustee
I was fortunate to have Chris as part of my senior team for 9 years when I was CEO of the MND Association. Chris was recruited to provide senior leadership to the volunteering, learning and workforce functions. He is a creative and courageous leader and led many transformational programmes of work at the Association. Sally Light, Former Chief Executive, MND Association
Volunteers are the life blood of any membership charity and Chris demonstrated his leadership ability and strategic thinking in enhancing this key relationship. He was an asset to the organisation and assisted the board in recognising the importance and positive impact that volunteers can make to a charity. - Alun Owen, Trustee
I spent three fantastic years working with Chris at the MND Association. Chris is a firm believer in the power of people and communities to make a meaningful difference in the world and it was fantastic to spend time translating this common belief for us into strategies that made for an excellent experience for volunteers and more generally unlocking the power of our wider community. Chris is passionate about participation and how people can be engaged in new ways to both achieve an organisations mission but also in shaping the big decisions and direction. A big picture strategic thinker, a kind and thoughtful manager and a great leader of staff and volunteers. - Matthew Cobble, Head of Volunteering and Participation, MND Association.