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Karen Badenoch FRSA

 

I am a creative individual with a vision to simplify complex things and establish fairer worlds for all.

I have always held roles whereby I am responsible for my own actions and have become proficient in prioritising different job elements. I focus on the human impact of any action.

 

 

Relevant Experience

 

Organisation skills: 

I have organized community events in my spare time for a number of years and have continued to do so in my most recent role. I kickstarted the Soup movement (dragons den with soup for local community) in the UK by running it in Colchester and following a BBC World interview Soup iterations can now be found across the UK. Originally I read about the concept as it was run in Detroit. I have since met the founder of that idea when Richard Branson flew her to the UK Virgin offices and I was invited to compare our ways of working.

Personal skills:     I have recently been described as an ‘intellectual engine’ This relates to my thirst for knowledge of all sorts and my ability to pick random, but relevant information from memory. During research phases of projects this is a huge asset. During both research and testing phases I am able to deal with people in an empathetic way and pull them together to create a more powerful community. Fellow of Royal Society of the Arts – an attainment I am very proud of as it reflects my community achievements and values.

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IT Skills:            

Microsoft suite, website creation, analysis and maintenance, newsletter creation and monitoring.

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Career History

Social Entrepreneur         Trusted Money Confidence Ltd   June 2023 – current

Following a successful year spent at Eastlight co-designing within the community an idea to alleviate the cost of living crisis I, alongside a colleague, were given seed funding to create Trusted Money Confidence Ltd, allowing the idea to continue and thrive within the community.

Since then the 6 week peer-to-peer money confidence programme, the first of its kind in the UK, has benefitted local people. On average a 6 week programme will improve an attendees life to the financial value of around £3000 a year, those are the changes made within the 6 weeks and the attitude shift continues afterwards.

More importantly than the financial, attendees report wellbeing improvement of threefold, giving them capacity to face future issues confidently.

As founder of the company I am responsible for the design, running and success of each programme as well as the company future and financials.

 

Community Entrepreneur                         Eastlight Community Homes                   June 2022 – June 2023

This was a one year contract to work within an incubator – community were employed using an innovative no CV process, giving wide ranging access to an asset based community development role.  There were 4 teams of 5 across Essex all tasked with tackling a social issue within their community by coming up with one new innovative idea with a view to obtaining £20,000 funding at the end of the year to implement the idea into the community as a business to help the community.  The Colchester team was given the Cost Of Living Crisis as a social issue.

Duties included:

  • Team navigation

  • Conversational skills to a high standard

  • Liaising with the community

  • Relationship Building

  • Public speaking

  • Learning lines

  • Tv appearances

  • Miro boards

  • Design thinking

  • Powerpoint presentations

  • Data collation

  • Events planning

 

 

 

Practice manager                         Colchester                                 January 2010 – May 2022

Within an architectural practice I took responsibility for finances throughout the company, HR actions, recruitment, marketing and publicity, community consultations, event organization, diary management, lead generation, all material production.

Presenting monthly reports to the company directors across all aspects of the company.

In the last two years I assisted in setting up share ownership for employees.

 

AAT finance administrator           Logistics Consulting Practice                   March 2002 – January 2010

Part of the accounts team responsible for all administrative background to producing the financial statements monthly for the board. From purchase ledger through to balance sheet, profit and loss and management accounts.

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Various roles                                                                                           June 1980 – March 2002

 

Roles ranged from insurance claims administrator, fraud department, insurance claims administrator, personal injuries section, administrator for a large DIY company for the Eastern region, sales person whilst bringing up children, assistant manager of a retail shop, babysitting agency organizer, computer operator (when computers had drives in offices)

 

 

 

Education Details:           

FMAAT June 2005

AAT June 2003

 

 

Bexley Grammar School – 8 ‘O’ Levels

 

                                                                                                                               

Leisure Interests:

I read anything and everything and have a thirst for knowledge. Things I read frequently prompt me to travel to find out more. Campervanning and exploring are both loves of my life. Family keeps me busy and I like to be able to involve them in my exploring.

References

Available upon request.      

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