COMPASS teams
We come from a wide range of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Where possible we employ local people to deliver local services in local communities. All of us are committed to Compass’ vision, values and ethos and strive to bring them to life in our everyday work.
It’s a team effort at every level of Compass. We believe everyone has an important part to play, irrespective of role. What is common to all is our ability to work collaboratively and creatively with people, for people.
To meet our teams, view our services.
COMPASS leaders
Executive Directors
Rachel Bundock – Chief Executive
I’m Rachel, Chief Executive of Compass, Caldicott Guardian and an Executive Director to the Compass Board, leading a team of over 300 staff and volunteers.
I joined Compass in 1999 as a frontline worker and have progressed, taking on a number of different leadership and management roles within different service types and in more recent years as an operational director.
My 20 years experience of delivering, developing and leading a range of health, wellbeing and lifestyle behaviour services for children, young people and adults in both the community and prison settings has given me a real insight and understanding of how different public health services interlink and where there are gaps and opportunities in provision for more joined up work.
This understanding has been a real driver in my passion for developing new and innovative service models which respond directly to people’s needs and I am dedicated to providing flexible and adaptable services that are ‘in tune’ with and respond to peoples’ needs early, before problems escalate.
I have been at the forefront of developing early intervention services, most notably integrated risky behaviour services that provide support with multiple lifestyle and wellbeing issues ‘under one roof’ without the need to be passed between services. In addition I had a real desire to screen and identify health and wellbeing needs early, which motivated me to work with topic experts to develop an innovative school nursing service for all school aged children, using universal screening and analysis of data activity to evidence actual need and deliver services that matter most to pupils, families and schools.
An exciting new chapter for Compass is the development of emotional and mental health and wellbeing training for professionals. By adopting a preventative and early help approach, we are combining Compass’ expertise in training, action learning and delivering public health interventions alongside key industry partners to help reduce mental and chronic ill-health and improve support available for professionals.
My motivation is based on a simple principle that everyone has a unique skill and talent and anything is possible. I have a fundamental belief we need to learn from evidenced need and people’s lived experiences across each stage; from prevention, early help, through to treatment. Each stage informs the other and in turn directs what we do, why and how we do it. The key is then having the right people with you who can help make it happen’. This approach is at the heart of all that we do in Compass.
Olakunle Dare – Finance & Corporate Services Director
Hi, I’m Olakunle. I joined Compass in November 2023 as Corporate Services Director and Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO).
I am a qualified accountant with experience of working in the charitable and education sectors. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification in Financial Management.
Much of my career has been within education; specifically, colleges, with roles such as Head of Finance, Executive Director Finance & Operations, and Deputy Chief Executive for large organisations such as Hackney Community College and Middlesex Learning Academic Trust, where I was responsible for finance, estates, capital investment projects in building new campuses, ICT, health and safety and IG.
More recently, I was Interim Head of Finance for United Response, a charity that provides support to autistic young people and adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs.
I was taken by the mission and ethos of Compass. I understand just how critical it is that children and young people are empowered with the right information at the right time for them to thrive. I hope with my experience and knowledge I will be supporting Compass in its innovative and trailblazing support for the Mental Health Sector.
Senior Leadership Team
Kim Jones – People Director
I’m Kim, People Director at Compass, a member of the Senior Management Team and responsible for leading the HR team to support our staff team and volunteers.
I joined Compass in 2014 and have 20 years experience within HR across private and voluntary sectors. I am a Chartered Member of the CIPD, with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I have worked in senior HR roles for over 10 years spanning SMEs and corporate organisations.
I enjoy being part of the voluntary sector, recognising their unique position to innovate and be flexible in their approach in truly serving the best interests of individuals and communities. Alongside my work at Compass I have also been involved with small voluntary sector organisations working as a counsellor for young people which I have found greatly rewarding.
Our people are key to delivering high quality services within Compass and I am responsible for ensuring we recruit, retain and develop our staff team and volunteers into being the best they can be. I feel privileged to be part of a very talented and passionate staff team at Compass who are inspired by making a real difference to those they work with.
Jan Smith – Operations Director
Hi, I’m Jan and I am the Operations Director and Designated Safeguarding Officer for Compass.
I have over 30 years’ experience in mental health and community care working across the NHS, Local Authority, and community organisations. I have enjoyed professional time as a Nursery Nurse, Registered Mental Health Nurse and in Development and Operational Management roles, working with people across all life stages from birth to the end of life.
Much of my career has been in mental health care settings so working with the skilled MHSTs to develop and provide early mental health and emotional wellbeing support, alongside mental health awareness and education, is a real privilege.
I really value the opportunity to work creatively and flexibly with Compass, to respond to the individual needs of children, young people and families and to see how their experience can – and does – shape and influence our work.
Sue Cody – Quality Assurance Lead
Hi I am Sue, and I joined the Compass team in December 2022 as Quality Assurance Lead and nominated Care Quality Commission lead.
I have over 30 years’ experience of working with children and young people in a variety of different settings. Starting my career in the NHS as a qualified Registered Children’s Nurse, working in Great Ormond Street and The Royal Free hospitals. Following on from this I moved to community nursing roles, working as a School Nurse and Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health Visitor) in London, St Helens, and Liverpool. Developing a passion and special interest in special educational needs and mental health, working with children and young people and their families. Alongside this I have experience working in Primary Care Networks and Clinical Commissioning Units in clinical roles. More recently working in Health Protection in the UK Health Security Agency and as Health Protection Operations Manager for Suffolk Local Authority.
I am really looking forward to working in the voluntary sector and feel very privileged to be part of the Compass team. I have always been passionate throughout my career to ensure effective and high standards of care are provided for children and young people. I am looking forward to working closely and collaboratively with colleagues, service users and partners to continue to co-produce high quality and innovative practice, developing evidence-based approaches. Promoting a culture where quality is everyone’s business.
Sue Berry – Assistant Director Operations (Derby and Derbyshire)
Hi, I am Sue and am delighted to have joined Compass in December 2022 as Assistant Director of Operations for Derby and Derbyshire Changing Lives. I am a qualified social worker and originally worked for Leeds City Council when I first qualified. Since then, I have worked in a variety of organisations, from very small voluntary organisations to my last organisation Barnardo’s where I worked for over 20 years! I worked my way through the organisation starting in a part time post in Derby City on a Sure Start initiative to working as an Assistant Director overseeing a large portfolio of work including MHSTs and emotional health and wellbeing services for children. I have implemented large and small contracts for Barnardo’s covering a whole variety of services. I am looking forward to working in Compass and was attracted to the organisation both because I had worked with Compass staff in my previous role and always had a good experience, and because the values of Compass very much reflect my own.
Lauren Nixon – Assistant Director Operations (North)
Hi. I’m Lauren, Assistant Director of Operations for our services in the North of England. I am delighted to have joined COMPASS in April 2024.
I started my career as a youth worker, supporting children and young people to have a voice in local decision making processes in their locality areas. Since then, I have worked in a variety of organisations, from education settings to Young Offenders Institutions, the voluntary sector and Local Authorities – where I most recently led the transformation of the children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing system in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
Through these roles, I was able to develop and deliver services to meet the needs of young people, predominantly in the areas of substance use, barriers to education and emotional health and wellbeing. Although I have worked in a range of different settings, my work has always been focussed on supporting young people with vulnerabilities, and ensuring that services are developed in collaboration with the young people who use them, ensuring that their voices are heard.
I am experienced in system transformation and service design and am excited to work in COMPASS and have the opportunity to be innovative and creative in order to develop and implement the best possible services for children and young people. I have worked with COMPASS colleagues previously and have always been impressed by their values and commitment, I am excited to work in a charity who’s values reflect my own.
Jane Wright – Assistant Director Operations (Midlands and South)
Hi, I am Jane, Assistant Director for our services in the Midlands and South, having joined Compass in July 2022.
I started my career in health and social care working with homeless people in the Oxford network and then gravitated towards young people’s services where I had the opportunity to work for West Berkshire Children’s Services, Action for Children, Hounslow Children’s Services and KCA in Kent. Through these roles I was able to develop and deliver young people’s services responding to substance misuse, youth offending, children affected by parental substance misuse, those at risk of exclusion from mainstream school and those with other vulnerabilities.
I also have extensive experience in implementing and transforming services across community-based drug and alcohol services and prisons and always strive to ensure that services are safe, accessible to all and of high-quality, giving clients the best chance of achieving their goals and reaching their full potential.
I am excited to have joined Compass and to be back in a role that is focussing on the needs of children, young people, and their families and am looking forward to working with the wider teams to develop and deliver services that make a positive difference to young people’s lives.
COMPASS Board
Compass has a Unitary Board of Directors, made up of eight Non-Executive Directors and three Executive Directors from the Senior Management Team (Chief Executive, Finance Director and Operations Director for Specialist Services):
Non executive directors
Claire Wesley – Chair of the Compass Board
Claire is a solicitor who specialised in tax and worked with a variety of UK and international businesses on all aspects of share/bonus plan advisory work and was a partner at PwC and Deloitte. Claire has been a Governor at St Peter’s School in York, Vice Chair of Ryedale CAB (& Trustee of CAB Mid North Yorkshire following the merger of Ryedale) and is currently a member of the University of York Remuneration Committee and involved with the Arts Society as Chair of The Arts Society Ebor and Secretary for the North East Area. Claire is also a member of Compass’ Audit & Risk Committee.
Dr David Webster – Vice Chair of the Compass Board
David has a background in medical research and development. He became Technical Director and subsequently Managing Director of Smith and Nephew UK and Ireland. He was a Council member of the Association of British Healthcare Industries and has been an adviser on bio-science projects to several Yorkshire universities.
David was a member of the NICE Appeal Panel for 13 years and a non-executive director of the East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust. David is also a member of Compass’ Audit & Risk Committee.
Claire Wood
Claire is a retired nurse with 37 years experience in the NHS, which included 12 years as an Executive Nurse in both Acute and Primary Care Trusts and 2½ years as the Chief Executive of the East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust.
Claire is educated to Masters level in Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care.
Since October 2008, Claire has been appointed to a number of voluntary roles in the public sector.
Len Pendle
Len started his career in various biological research roles in the healthcare industry for a Global Medical Healthcare company specialising in Orthopaedic implants, trauma repair, minimally invasive surgery and advanced wound products.
He then transitioned into senior roles in facilities management and finally as Human Resources Director within the same sector.
Len is currently a Pensions Trustee and a listening volunteer with Samaritans and has held a number of posts within this organisation including Trustee and Branch Director.
Simon Kingsnorth
Simon has a background in Human Resources and runs his own consultancy following over 20 years in the Financial Services and Healthcare industries. He was previously a non-executive board member of Leeds Mind and is driven by helping businesses to build engaged and inclusive workplaces where everyone can do great work. He holds an MBA and a MSc in Psychology and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.