Recently seconded to Axia CitizenConnect, Chris was responsible for the creation of the East Leeds Family Learning Centre and the chair of Seacroft Partnership.

Both projects have attracted widespread interest because of their success in encouraging adults to return to learning and to securing employment. Uniquely the Centre and the Seacroft Partnership won in 2001 accolades for Innovation from both the Public and Private sectors, winning for the City Council two Local Government Chronicle Awards and for TESCO a Business in the Community Award.

Chris has extensive experience in developing and delivering learning projects for young people and adults as well as programmes that assist people to make the transition from Welfare into Work.

Personally, Chris received an Industrial Society Award for Excellence in Leadership and in the 2002 Birthday Honours list an OBE in recognition of his services to Adult Learning.