Dave Smith

A skilled charity executive and technology consultant, providing strategic and operational support to organisations delivering social impact. With extensive experience as a Chief Executive, Chair and Trustee, I specialise in leading programmes of transformational change, strengthening governance and embedding robust, data informed decision making. I combine a commercially aware mindset with deep understanding of the values and realities of charities and social enterprises.
My consultancy, focuses on using practical, affordable cloud technologies (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and related tools) to improve service delivery, collaboration and safeguarding. This includes reviewing current systems, clarifying requirements with senior stakeholders, and designing fit for purpose solutions that support frontline work rather than getting in the way of it. I also advise on cyber resilience and data protection, drawing on hands on experience as a Data Protection Officer in several organisations.
Alongside technical work, I support boards and leadership teams with strategy, culture and change: aligning structures and processes to organisational mission, building constructive board–executive relationships, and ensuring governance and risk management stay proportionate but effective. Much of my work is with organisations supporting people facing disadvantage, including hoarding disorder, addiction, homelessness, and those at risk of offending.
I aim to be a calm, collaborative partner who listens carefully, translates complexity into clear options, and leaves organisations stronger, more confident and more sustainable.

Clients

My clients and organisations served span small community charities, local Citizens Advice services, national specialist charities and socially focused businesses. Examples include:
Citizens Advice services (Broxbourne and Hertfordshire), where I have provided strategic leadership as Co Chair/Vice Chair and led major technology and premises change projects to modernise services.
HoardingUK, where as CEO and previously as a consultant I supported organisational transition, leadership development and expansion of multi agency partnerships.
From Rehab To Life Foundation and Rehabit UK, where I as chair of boards and lead on service management, HR, governance and data protection for organisations working with people affected by addiction, violence, crime and homelessness.
London Accessible Psychotherapy & Inclusive Supervision, where I advised on governance, resilience and service development for accessible counselling provision.
Various SMEs and community organisations, supporting them to implement or improve cloud based infrastructure, cyber resilience, data protection compliance and business continuity.
Many of these relationships are long term, reflecting a collaborative style and focus on building internal capacity rather than dependency. I am used to working with overstretched teams, limited budgets and complex stakeholder environments.

Qualifications

I bring a blend of technical, governance and leadership development to my consultancy work. Technically, I hold Microsoft MCSE and MCSE + Security certifications, together with Cisco networking qualifications and training through the Cisco Networking Academy, giving a strong grounding in networking, infrastructure and security.
I have completed CGPR and GDPR training, alongside other data protection and information governance learning, which underpins my work as Data Protection Officer in several charities. This enables me to translate regulatory requirements into practical policies, processes and staff behaviours.
Alongside formal qualifications, I have undertaken a range of professional development in leadership, coaching, managing experts and working effectively with different kinds of minds, which informs my approach to team development, mentoring and culture change. My board and executive experience across multiple charities acts as a continuous learning environment in governance, safeguarding, risk and strategy.

Experience

My career spans senior leadership in both the charity and commercial sectors. I currently serve as Chief Executive Officer of Bridging the Gap Islington, leading a volunteer based mentoring charity working with people at risk of offending, homelessness and addiction. I am also Chief Operating Officer of Baseline Solving, where I am responsible for aligning day to day operations with strategic goals and building effective, multidisciplinary teams.
Previous roles include CEO of HoardingUK, a national charity supporting people affected by hoarding disorder, where I led a trauma informed team, expanded partnerships with mental health, housing and statutory agencies, and strengthened financial sustainability. I have held multiple governance roles: Chair of Trustees at From Rehab To Life Foundation and Rehabit UK, Co Chair of Trustees at Citizens Advice Broxbourne, and board roles with Hertfordshire Citizens Advice Service and London Accessible Psychotherapy & Inclusive Supervision.
I provide IT and digital transformation consultancy to a range of organisations, from local charities to SMEs. This includes project managing cloud migrations, designing secure and resilient infrastructures, improving data flows and reporting, and advising on cyber security and data protection compliance. Earlier in my career I delivered large scale technical projects for IBM Global Services, a start up in entertainment systems, and other technology companies, giving me a strong grounding in project management, risk and delivery.