Dawn Hughes

Dynamic and visionary strategic leader with over two decades of experience transforming public services, social care, and third-sector organisations. I specialise in trauma-informed, psychologically safe leadership that unlocks high performance across diverse, multi-disciplinary teams. With a proven track record of securing multi-county contracts, driving regional service transformation, and growing funding by over 40%, I bring intuitive pattern recognition, rapid ideation, and emotionally intelligent stakeholder engagement to every challenge. I’m passionate about embedding inclusive, neurodiversity-aware practices into systems and culture—building legacy through impact, equity, and innovation.

Over 20 years of experience leading operational transformation and strategic development across social care, public services, and the third sector. Most recently, I’ve secured multi-county contracts and delivered new supported living schemes from concept to mobilisation—driving service innovation without a sales lens. I’ve led regional programmes, grown funding through commissioner engagement, and guided dispersed teams to top national performance during the COVID response. My approach blends psychologically safe, trauma-informed leadership with neurodivergent strengths in rapid ideation, pattern recognition, and stakeholder alignment. I specialise in building inclusive systems, mentoring emerging leaders, and embedding sustainable change across complex landscapes.

My academic foundation in human development and social systems, combined with a Postgraduate Early Years Professional qualification, has shaped a leadership style rooted in empathy, evidence, and operational excellence. This training honed my ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, design inclusive services, and embed quality standards across complex environments. It also deepened my understanding of early intervention, safeguarding, and systemic change—skills I’ve scaled beyond early years into strategic leadership, programme delivery, and business development. I bring a people-first mindset to operational transformation, ensuring that services are not only efficient but psychologically safe, equitable, and impactful.