Evidence into practice – Successful community research partnerships

Pete Fleischmann is an independent consultant, researcher and trainer specialising in citizen participation and reflective practice. Pete has worked in the public and voluntary sector for over 30 years. Pete has experience of directing local organisations and senior management in national charities. Pete has worked in and with charities, local authorities, health trusts, universities, and housing associations including 16 years as the Social Care Institute for Excellence’s Head of Co-production. He has trained and consulted to hundreds of organisations and individuals. Pete's approach is informed by his past experience of mental health services, his senior leadership roles and six years of study and reflection on systems and psychodynamic approaches to leading and consulting.

Bernadette has over 20 years’ experience making a real difference in communities through leadership, regeneration, and strategic planning. As CEO of Inspiring Communities Together, she helped grow the organisation from the New Deal for Communities successor vehicle into a thriving, community-led Charity—boosting its turnover from £90,000 to over £750,000 a year. She’s led major regeneration programmes, built strong partnerships, and recently helped launch Inspiring Housing CLT as a Registered Provider. Bernadette’s strengths lie in turning big ideas into action, managing risk and finances, and bringing people together to create inclusive, vibrant neighbourhoods.

Jon Glasby is a qualified social worker by background, and Professor of Health and Social Care at the University of Birmingham. He is the Director of IMPACT (the UK centre for implementing evidence in adult social care) and a Non-Executive Director of an NHS Trust and of a local authority children’s service. In 2022, he was a special advisor to the House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee.

Charles Kwaku-Odoi DL MFPH is Chief Executive of the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN), a leading national Black health organisation at the forefront of reducing health Inequalities and wider disparities. He is a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Greater Manchester, an honorary member of the esteemed Faculty of Public Health (FPH), and the honorary Ecumenical Canon at Manchester Cathedral. He has trustees and board roles including the Terrence Higgins Trust, National Churches Trust, and NHS Race and Health Observatory; Manchester Foundation Trust Council of Governors; and Government SAGE Ethnicity Subgroup.