Chris Platt

I’m an experienced third sector leader, consultant and trustee with a career built around helping organisations grow sustainably, lead with purpose and deliver meaningful impact for their communities. My work spans executive leadership, strategic development, governance, fundraising, partnerships and community engagement, with a particular focus on organisations operating at the intersection of social impact, sustainability, education and place-based regeneration.

I currently serve as Chief Executive of Montrose Community Trust, where I lead a wide-ranging portfolio of work across health and wellbeing, employability, sport, climate action and community development. Alongside this, I founded Platt Solutions, a consultancy supporting charities, social enterprises and community organisations with strategic planning, funding development, governance support and organisational growth.

Earlier in my career, I worked across education, communications and partnership development roles, including within higher education and the charity sector. Those experiences gave me a strong grounding in stakeholder engagement, programme development and translating complex ideas into practical delivery.

Increasingly, I’m looking to complement my executive leadership work with strategic board and non-executive roles. I’m particularly interested in organisations navigating growth, change or social transformation, where I can contribute experience in strategy, collaboration, governance and long-term development, while continuing to broaden my own perspective through exposure to different sectors and leadership environments.

CEO at Montrose Community Trust (2024-08 – Present)

Responsible for the strategic leadership, governance and financial stewardship of a multi-pillar community organisation whose work spans social wellbeing, sports participation, climate action and economic resilience.

• Provide executive leadership for an organisation with turnover approaching £1m, overseeing 38 restricted project budgets, consolidated financial planning and accountability for operational delivery across diverse programmes.
• Initiated and established the Trust's climate action arm, building organisational capacity, securing funding pathways and reshaping strategy so that a traditionally football-centric organisation now delivers landscape-aligned climate resilience activity — including acting as host for the Angus Climate Hub.
• Accountable for board reporting, strategic risk management, audit compliance and governance systems, ensuring robust oversight, transparent controls and regulatory adherence in line with OSCR and other funder requirements.
• Lead financial planning and risk oversight for the £2.5m Gable End Development, applying staged funding strategies and independent cost scrutiny to safeguard long-term sustainability and minimise financial exposure.
• Strengthened governance systems through policy, process and IT infrastructure reform, improving internal controls, budget monitoring and structured trustee oversight.
• Represent the Trust across regional partnerships and engagement opportunities, influencing cross-sector strategy in rural regeneration, climate mitigation, public health integration and community empowerment.

Trustee at SCVO (2025-11 – Present)

• Elected by peers to serve in a governance role supporting Scotland's national membership body for the voluntary sector.
• Contribute to subcommittee oversight of financial scrutiny, organisational performance and sector accountability.
• Provide strategic input on issues affecting third-sector resilience, public funding and regulatory compliance at national level.

Trustee at Angus Rural Partnerships (2025-08 – Present)

• Serve on the governance board supporting rural development across Angus, aligning economic resilience, environmental priorities and community regeneration.
• Contribute to strategic oversight of partnership funding, regional planning alignment and multi-agency collaboration.
• Engage with stakeholders including local authorities, land managers, third-sector organisations and enterprise bodies to support place-based rural growth.

Development Lead at Brechin Cathedral Trust (2024-11 – Present)

• Supported the establishment and governance development of a newly formed charitable trust assuming responsibility for a nationally significant heritage asset.
• Led strategic planning and capital development activity, including negotiation of ownership transfer terms, financial due diligence and risk assessment linked to building condition and long-term sustainability.
• Advised trustees on fiduciary duties, governance structures and regulatory compliance within a complex heritage and faith-based context.
• Contributed to difficult risk-based decisions, including temporary closure to visitors during essential works, prioritising safety, financial prudence and long-term asset protection.
• Secured significant grant funding and developed phased investment strategies to stabilise and regenerate the site as a community and heritage resource.

Founder at Platt Solutions (2023-10 – Present)

Established a strategic consultancy supporting third-sector organisations, environmental initiatives and community-led projects.

• Advised on environmental education and landscape stewardship initiatives, including collaboration with the UNESCO Isle of Wight Biosphere Reserve, supporting engagement models that align conservation objectives with community participation and sustainable economic activity.
• Supported The Harmony Project's Learning in Nature and Nature Premium programmes, contributing to governance, funding strategy and evaluation frameworks designed to embed ecological literacy and nature-based learning within school settings.
• Provided strategic planning and investment-readiness support to rural and heritage organisations, aligning local delivery with national climate, biodiversity and community empowerment priorities.
• Secured over £1m in funding across client organisations, applying structured financial planning, risk assessment and outcome measurement frameworks.
• Advised boards and trustees on governance structures, compliance obligations and long-term sustainability planning within regulated charitable environments.

Head of Content at Times Higher Education (2022-02 – 2023-10)

• Led global content strategy for an international higher education publication, delivering evidence-based reporting to universities, policymakers and research leaders worldwide.
• Managed complex datasets and institutional performance metrics, translating numerical analysis into clear, accessible communication.
• Directed multi-platform editorial and conference programmes, engaging diverse international stakeholders across policy and education sectors.

Education & Partnerships Manager at Vauxhall City Farm (2020-09 – 2022-02)

• Led environmental education programmes and community outreach within a working urban farm, delivering land-based learning to schools and diverse community groups.
• Managed safeguarding, compliance and operational oversight for on-site activities involving children, volunteers and partner organisations.
• Developed strategic partnerships to widen access to nature, linking environmental engagement with social mobility, wellbeing and community development objectives.

Class Teacher at Chase Lane Primary School & Nursery (2011-09 – 2015-07)

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Anthropology – University of Kent (2006-09 – 2010-07)

Qualified Teacher Status in Primary Education – Tendring & North Essex SCITT (2010-09 – 2011-07)