Lisa Saunders

I’m a Senior Project and Programme Manager with over 15 years’ experience delivering complex public sector and government-funded programmes across the UK.

My work has focused on turning policy and funding objectives into practical, well-governed programmes that deliver real outcomes for communities, businesses, and stakeholders. I’ve led multi-million-pound programmes across skills, business support, sustainability, and economic development, working closely with local authorities, combined authorities, and national funding bodies.

I’m known for bringing calm leadership to complex environments – establishing strong governance, building trusted relationships with partners, and creating clarity where programmes involve multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

I enjoy the challenge of shaping programmes from concept through to delivery and evaluation, ensuring that funding translates into measurable impact while maintaining transparency, accountability, and strong operational performance.

Alongside delivery, I’m passionate about developing teams, strengthening collaboration across organisations, and continuously improving how programmes are designed and delivered.

Key Expertise

• Strategic Programme Leadership
• Government-Funded Programme Delivery
• Public Sector Governance & Assurance
• Programme Mobilisation & Implementation
• Financial Oversight (£2m–£3m+ budgets)
• RAID & Risk Management
• Stakeholder & Commissioner Engagement
• Benefits Realisation & Performance Monitoring
• Multi-Partner Programme Delivery
• Regulatory Compliance & Ofsted Readiness

Senior Programme Director
YTKO Ltd | 2023 – Present

Lead delivery of government-funded programmes operating across multiple regions, ensuring strong governance, financial control and regulatory compliance.

• Directed end-to-end programme delivery from mobilisation through to implementation and close-down
• Managed £2m–£3m+ annual programme budgets with responsibility for financial profiling, forecasting and audit compliance
• Established governance frameworks including RAID management, dependency tracking and change control
• Produced performance reporting and dashboards for senior stakeholders and commissioners
• Led organisational preparation for Ofsted monitoring visit, achieving the highest available outcome for an SME

Programme Director
YTKO Ltd | 2019 – 2023

Led delivery of a £3m publicly funded multi-partner programme portfolio across Devon and Cornwall.

• Developed structured delivery plans, milestone schedules and governance reporting frameworks
• Managed supply chain partners through contract monitoring and performance reviews
• Maintained RAID logs and ensured early escalation of risks and delivery issues
• Ensured financial compliance with funding rules and audit requirements
• Delivered a 24-month digital skills programme six months ahead of schedule

Community Engagement Manager
MIDAS Ltd | 2015 – 2019

Project lead within a £56.5m infrastructure programme portfolio managing stakeholder-facing delivery across multiple contracts.

• Coordinated operational planning across 300+ properties to improve programme delivery efficiency
• Managed complex stakeholder environments including safeguarding and reputational risks
• Introduced structured reporting and service standards to improve transparency and accountability
• Increased customer satisfaction from 62% to 98% through improved engagement and service design

• PRINCE2 7th Edition Foundation & Practitioner – In progress (expected April 2026)
• NEBOSH General Certificate – In progress (expected April 2026)
• Level 3 Diploma in Business Management
• Member, Association for Project Management (MAPM)
• Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Ongoing leadership and professional development