POLICY RESEARCHER / STRATEGIST
Specialising in Culture Sport & The Creative Economy
/ 1982 — 2024

AVAILABLE FOR FREELANCE
PROJECTS IN SEPT 2024

info@charlesfreemanprojects.com

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Policy Researcher & Strategist

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I am an experienced policy researcher & strategist, specialising in Culture Sport and The Creative Economy.

I started my career as researcher for a Tourism and Regeneration Consultancy. I then worked in Higher Education and Local Government, before Joining Sport England.

I was promoted to become executive director of Culture South East , where I worked to embed the interests of Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) Sector in regional Government.

I currently work as a freelance consultant and researcher. Recent projects have focused on The Creative Economy, Place Shaping, Cultural Planning and Employability.

I am Neurodivergent (Dyslexic and Dyspraxic) and have a particular interest, in Neurodivergence in the Creative Economy, Including, Employment and Self Employment.

What I Do

Cultural Planning

My work focuses on the way Sport, Culture, and The Historic Environment adds value to development, promotes social inclusion and attracts talent to the Local Economy

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Culture, Sport, Creative Industry

I have 30 years of experience of driving innovation by using tried and tested methodology from one field in new contexts.

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Education & Skills

Education and skills are key to breaking down barriers to employability and are crucial if issues relating to lack of diversity are to be addressed in the cultural, creative, and sports sectors.

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Neurodiversity

While working for Culture South East I started to become aware of large numbers of Neurodivergent people working in the creative economy. As a neurodivergent person I have become fascinated by issues relating to neurodivergence and employment.

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NDnomics Blog written in partnership with Tumi Sotire

Neurodiversity and Economics is a series of Blogs prepared by Tumi Sotire and I.

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Experience

Partnership for South Hampshire – Culture Creative Industries and Built Environment Panel Lead (2015 – Ongoing)

Ravensbourne University (2014 – Ongoing)- SEEDS programme (Self-Employment Entrepreneurship and Diversity)- Co Founder and Business Coach. SEEDS is the first HE entrepreneurship programme designed for and by neuro-divergent people.

Creative Network South (CNS) – Co-Ordinator 2012 Ongoing – CNS is a Creative Industries Partnership hosted by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.

Partnership for Urban South Hampshire- Quality Place Manager (2009 – 2011) Leading the partnership work programme on culture, creative industries and the built environment.

Culture South East / South East Cultural Consortium Executive Director (2003 – 2009)

Sport England – Senior Regional Development Manager – Facilities (1998-2003)

Sport England – Regional Development Manager (1997-1998)

Sefton Borough Council – Sport Facility Strategy Manager (1995-1997)

South Somerset District Council Research and Policy Adviser, Sport Arts and Recreation (1992-1995)

Humberside Polytechnic – Co-ordinator the centre for Community Leisure Studies 1990-92

Qualifications and Honours

Southampton Solent University 2023

Honorary Doctor of Media.

University of Birmingham 2000

MSc Public Service Management, Distinction and School of Public Policy Research Prize Winner

Teesside Polytechnic. 1986

Diploma in Management Studies, Recreation Management – Merit

University of East Anglia 1982-85

BA Economics 2.2

Other Qualifications and Certificates

Homes and Communities Agency – Certificate in Place Making 2010
City University – Certificate in Cultural Leadership 2009
University of Oxford -Introduction to Counselling 2012
City University – Introduction to Coaching 2016

Let’s work together.

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