Geoff Hawkins - Chief Executive

Geoff Hawkins

I have worked for Chapter 1 since 2004 and been its Chief Executive since May 2007.  I began my professional life in human resources in education in Essex many years ago.  Much of my career was in local government until 1998 when I was Director of Personnel for Berkshire County Council.  I then moved into the charity sector as Human Resources Director of The Children’s Society.  In between times I have also worked as an independent consultant.

I am an active member of the Salvation Army; I practise my Christian belief in a social context and therefore find such empathy with the values of Chapter 1.

In my family I am surrounded by women; Tricia, my wife is a junior school teacher and I have three wonderful grown up daughters who keep me on my toes. They are my fashion police.  Now they have all left home it is much easier to escape their scrutiny.

I also love travelling, which provides opportunity to practise my interest in photography, and music.  I play the tenor horn badly in a brass band, which gives me the opportunity “to blow my own trumpet”!

I care deeply about young people.  This has been reflected in my professional life and many of my interests outside work: school governor and a street pastor.  One of the great joys of working for Chapter 1 is seeing people realise their potential, whether through our work for international students, the homeless or our community based services.  We are all changing lives one by one.