Positive East has been at the forefront of HIV service and care for three decades; supporting people from point of HIV diagnosis to longer term care. Guided by their mission - to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities affected by HIV – they have developed a holistic range of health and wellbeing programmes from counselling to workshops to HIV testing and prevention. Marking 30 years as one of London’s largest community-based HIV charities provides a moment to pause, and to reflect, on both their achievements and what priorities remain for people living with HIV. The message as an organisation remains the same: We’re not done yet. Our journey will not stop until everyone living with HIV is able to live empowered lives, free from stigma; where myths and misconceptions about HIV no longer guide the narrative. Positive East want the story of HIV to be an inclusive one of success, one which involves a legacy where no person or community is left behind.

David R. Blackburn Consulting Limited bring almost thirty years’ experience in Human Resources, Business and Cultural Transformation drawn from a diverse background including charities, financial services, IT, manufacturing, retail, and social housing. Proven expertise in successfully delivering improved business performance and cultural change through strategic people management and the management of the end-to-end employee lifecycle incorporating Employee Experience, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, HR, HRIS, Learning and Development, Recruitment and Reward. Clients include the Bank of England, CIPD, Riverside, SHL and the University of Oxford.David R. Blackburn has extensive experience of significant organisational change and development in both highly commercial and not-for-profit organisations. He has worked in unionised and highly regulated environments and managed complex stakeholder relationships. Business transformation, culture and people change has been at the centre of both David R. Blackburn’s work and continuing professional development. In 2015 he attended the HR Strategy in Transforming Organisations programme at the London Business School – ranked as one of the top HR programmes in the world studying under Lynda Gratton and in 2024 completed the Global Chief People Officer programme at the Cambridge University Judge Business School. David R. Blackburn Consulting can help you to promote the long-term success of your organisation principally through the effective deployment and leadership of its people. David says: Enthusiasm is infectious, and I work tirelessly to communicate that message to both my customers: the businesses that I support and my team. I would like to think that everyone would always say of me that I lead by example. I pride myself on the deep understanding of every business that I have ever worked for and the breadth of my personal contribution. If you would like to know more, please contact David R. Blackburn directly.

Founding Member of Nexus. A new and exclusive community of Chief People Officers with a mandate to actively engage with governmental bodies and research institutions in order to shape and inform policies, ensuring they align with the realities and needs of the modern HR landscape.This community will seek to create a universal standard of excellence on pertinent topics facing the HR industry.Co-founded by Adam Oliver – Director of Network HR, Natalie McClean - Chief People Officer of Partners&, and Teresa Boughey - Author, Tedx speaker and Advisory Business Board member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Women in Enterprise and Chair of the ESG Workstream, influencing government on policy to address sustainable inclusion.

The Place, the UK’s leading organisation for dance training, creation and performance, has announced the appointment of David Blackburn to its Board of Governors. Governors are responsible for setting the overall strategy and for enabling The Place to fulfil its artistic and educational objectives in the context of a sustainable business model, ensuring the growth and future of the organisation. Today The Place engages hundreds of artists, students, dancers and audiences, both onsite and online digitally, in pursuit of a world with more dance. Continuing to lead the way in shaping the art form, it remains the thriving hub of innovation and creativity that it was when it first opened its doors in 1969, as London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS) and a home for London Contemporary Dance Theatre (LCDT 1967-1994). The Place is an institution that thrives due to its remarkable history, values and ability to move with the times. A move that unifies education, training and creative processes making The Place a global-leading institution that it has always aspired to be. Now honouring the extraordinary work of people responsible for carving out its identity and Robin Howard’s inspiring leadership (1966-1988), the current collaborative leadership team with Clare Connor as Chief Executive, establishes the theatre, the School and professional artists programmes as one integrated unit.

Mencap is one of the largest charities in the UK employing almost 8,000 and providing help and support through supported living, employment, respite services, organised activities, and individual advocacy, and outreach support across almost seven hundred locations and through a local network of more than 450 affiliated groups.Appointed to identify and prioritise the delivery of business-critical projects for the People Directorate and establish the HR roadmap for the incoming Chief Executive and permanent Executive Director of People. Key Contributions:Delivered a co-created new vision for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) supported by a new strategy, new commitments and new measurable targets for action; designed and delivered EDI training to the Mencap Voices Council produced in easy read format; commissioned a bespoke training programme to support the EDI Network Chairs and People Business Partners in partnership with the CIPD; completed a Skills Audit of the People Directorate aligned with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) profession map, the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) Competency Framework, the National Occupational Standards for the Management of Volunteers, and the Institute of Internal Communications Profession Map and developed proposals for the restructure of the People Business Partnering Team which were approved by the Executive Team in July 2024.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) helps people get back on track by protecting them when authorised financial services firms fail. FSCS is an independent, free service and covers all regulated financial services in the UK: we are unique internationally for the scope of the protection we provide. We protect deposits in banks, building societies and credit unions; insurance; investments; investment and pension advice; home finance advice; debt management; and related products. Since our launch in 2001 we have come to the aid of millions of people and paid out billions in compensation. Leading a department of 16 including Environment, Employee Experience and People.

Shepherds Bush Housing Group is a family of successful businesses providing housing, regeneration, and community and support services across eleven west London Boroughs with 250 employees. Responsible for a budget of £2.8m and a department of 12 including Communications, IT and HR. Created new Business Support function by bringing HR back in-house after 6 years of outsourcing and steering SBHG through a major programme of reorganisation and cultural change - from failing Investors in People to being nationally recognised as an employer of choice: Gold IIP Champions and a Sunday Times Top 100 Employer.

Working as a Business Partner providing business specific advice on employment matters, including policy and procedures, best practice and employment law, identifying opportunity and risk across North London for four business units with in excess of 400 staff to Director level at 7 sites. Handling complex ER Issues including redundancies, disciplinary, bullying & harassment, race and sex discrimination, ET claims and the TUPE transfer of staff from local authorities into the organisation. Managing a team of four employees: three HR Advisers and an HR Administrator.

Reporting into the Financial Director produced end of year staff taxation documentation (P11D, P9d’s etc) for a workforce of approximately 300 employees. Carried out a full health & safety policy review in line with the company’s consolidation of its 140 staff and acted as subject matter expert during the relocation. Participated in a full review of the company employee handbook working on policy development and assisting on a restructure of the incentive rewards program for non-sales staff.

Instituted a full Human Resources service in a ‘greenfield’ operation across the European, Middle Eastern and African branches (EMEA) of NetIQ, helping to grow the business from 8 to over 200 employees in ten countries in three years. Developed contracts of employment for all staff across EMEA. Managed the merger and acquisition of Mission Critical UK into NetIQ in 2000 and Webtrends UK in 2001 and managed the redundancy of 3 departments (40 staff), at NetIQ following the creation of a shared service centre in Ireland.