Gary Bishop

CEO | EXECUTIVE COACH | MBA

Coaching the leaders we all need

Profile

Over the last 30 years I have held multiple governance and senior leadership roles including as CEO for two organisations which I have helped to design and build from scratch. 

My responsibilities have spanned organisational development, operational management, governance and coaching high performance teams whilst overseeing core business functions such as finance, strategy, HR, communications and fundraising.

I’m an accredited EMCC Practitioner and a coach I am dedicated to helping leaders to discover the best within themselves in order to achieve more than they think is possible.  I am a member of the Association of Coaches and have over 20 years experience of having professional conversations and coaching.

As a leader I am committed to improving society through innovation and deep engagement with the most challenging issues facing individuals and communities. I have been privileged to study to a high degree in business disciplines and I delight in using those skills to help create significant projects and organisations which deliver sustained transformation with people at the centre. 

Throughout all of my leadership experience I have been able to indulge my real passion which is to help individuals, teams and organisations to grow and thrive.

I work part time as CEO of Arch Health CIC. Holding a senior leadership role adds authenticity, empathy and a healthy sense of realism to my work with other leaders.

 
 

EDUCATION

  • Diploma in Transformational Coaching

    2022
    European Mentoring & Coaching Council (Catalyst)

  • MA in Business Administration (MBA)
     2010-2012
    Durham University Business School

  • Diploma in Executive Coaching
    2007
    Manchester University (Centre for Educational Leadership)

  • MA in Theology 
    2004-2006
    Sheffield University (Cliff College)

 

Skills

 
 

Communications


Financial & Business Management



Executive Coaching


Strategic Planning

 

 EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

CEO (Co-Founder) - Arch Health Community Interest Company
February 2017 - Present

As one of 5 founding directors I have led a team of executive and clinical colleagues in the creation of this specialist homeless healthcare provider. 

Throughout my time in this role I have overseen the development of all organisational governance, internal business systems, financial controls, strategy and organisational culture. This significant and award winning public sector service achieved a ‘5 star Outstanding’ rating in its first CQC inspection – an accolade which is held by only a few primary healthcare services in the country. 

I started work on this project with colleagues in 2016 (prior to employment) and since then I have led major change, worked with a wide range of stakeholders, accessed new funding and initiated pioneering projects which address health inequalities in the city. 

CEO / Founder - Justlife Foundation 
October 2010 – December 2019

My role at Justlife started with a very personal story of loss. I worked with colleagues to respond to a local need in a troubled area of Manchester. In the decade which I spent at Justlife I initiated action and articulated vision for this brand new organisation, gathering highly skilled board members and established Justlife as a credible national influencer in supporting people living in temporary and emergency accommodation in England.

I took a lead role in all aspects of organisational development from inception to the delivery of a national network of partners leading the way on this aspect of homelessness.

My work included the development of critical partnerships with major donors and funders to grow and sustain the organisation over a nine year period before successfully transitioning to new CEO in December 2019.

MBA Student – Durham University Business School
January 2009 – September 2012

In 2008 I was awarded a scholarship from the Independent Newspaper to study for an MBA at Durham University Business School. Having left school at the age of 16 with no formal qualifications this opened up a world of learning and personal development that I never dreamed possible. I graduated from this course in 2012 having completed all the required core modules; Finance, HR, Information, Economics and others including Entrepreneurship, Business Ethics, Social Marketing, Managing Change and Project Management. 

I concluded the course with a dissertation exploring the role of third sector organisations in urban regeneration.

Consultant & Trainer – Freelance 
January 2009 – September 2012

Whilst studying at Durham Business School and starting Justlife I designed and delivered leadership training for Coop College under the Institute of Leadership and Management programme. This national programme covered subjects including, change management, strategy, people management, emotional intelligence and leadership.

Amongst other projects, during this time I also delivered a major Community Oriented Primary Care project in a deprived area of  Blackburn which connected 150 local community partners with a GP surgery  in order to improve public health.

 
“If you want someone who is a great listener and kind friend as well as being someone who has built incredible organisations from scratch and is able to analyse people, business models and systems with amazing insight, Gary is the best coach you could hope for!”
— Jake Hayman
 

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