About Jon Carling Consultancy

My work primarily draws of the experience I gained in 25 work in the North East, and also from the post-graduate qualification in economics I gained from Strathclyde University in 2008. 

My CV includes:

- 7 years as Head of North East Regional Information Partnership (NERIP)  the regional observatory for North East England, based at One North East, between 2004 and 2011. I led a team of statisticians, economists, geographers and social researchers, and together we produced much of the evidence base to support regional strategies. I represented the English regions on two decision-making committees of the Office for National Statistics  

- 2 years as Chief Executive of the Commission for Rural Communities - a national body that advised Government on the effects of national policies on rural areas. The organisation continued to deliver productively whilst going through a closure process between 2011 and 2013. This was my first post as CEO, following the closure of One North East, and I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned from it in equal measure

- 3 years as Chief Executive of North Yorkshire and York Forum - a VCSE infrastructure organisation that contract-managed and funded a wide range of VCSE partners to support local projects (2013-2016). I went into the role after redundancy, and discovered a whole new sector and a new way of working. It was inspirational!

- 4 years working for the Police and Crime Commissioner (6 months as acting Chief Executive) for County Durham and Darlington. Back in the public sector working in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the North East, spending a lot of time in different communities

- 4 years as Chief Executive of Catalyst, the VCSE infrastructure organisation for Stockton-on-Tees (2020-2024). Possibly the most rewarding job I ever had, working with some brilliant people in the community running VCSE organisations, and also in the Council and other public bodies. There's a real sense of partnership and collaboration in Stockton, and it is energising.

My skills are in leadership, coaching, financial management, and in research, evaluation and data analysis. Most importantly, I enjoy meeting people and building constructive partnerships. I'm an enabler, a facilitator, and a doer.