Chief Executive Officer – Executive Leadership Team

Mike is the Chief Executive Officer of Releasing Potential, having founded the organisation in 2001. Mike is a PE teacher by training and is qualified in a range of outdoor activities at the highest level. Mike still enjoys teaching, and when he can delivers Outdoor Education across the Releasing Potential School as well as professional training as part of the Releasing Potential Institute. Mike has strategic responsibility for the School and for the organisation as a whole.

Senior Executive Officer – Executive Leadership Team

Catherine joined Releasing Potential in 2012 as Operations Manager for what was then a small charity. Catherine’s background is in education, having taught in secondary, tertiary and Higher Education settings. She has worked with vulnerable young people for many years in a range of day services and residential programmes. Catherine oversees all operations for the charity and for Releasing Potential School, and is responsible for Human Resources and Safeguarding across the entire organisation.

Chief Financial Officer – Executive Leadership Team

Jane has been at Releasing Potential since its beginnings as a small charity in 2001. Jane oversees all finances for the organisation and works at our Havant base of operations alongside the rest of the executive team. Jane’s background is in finance, and she has worked for a number of organisations in senior management positions.

Releasing Potential Enterprises

Steve has been at Releasing Potential since its beginnings as a small charity in 2001. Steve oversees a number of small businesses as part of the organisation’s growing portfolio of not-for-profit enterprises. Steve’s background is in engineering, and he has previously worked in business settings in senior management roles.  Steve supports the work of the School, ensuring work placement opportunities are open to students by maintaining profitable small enterprises.

Head of Education – Releasing Potential School

Lara is a qualified teacher and heads up the Releasing Potential School, our registered alternative provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs. Lara also oversees the Releasing Potential Explore programme, which caters for children and young people on an outreach basis. Lara manages a team 25+ staff including the school’s own leadership team and subject leads. She is responsible for the School curriculum as well as a range of other areas within the School.

Head of Professional Services 

Alex joined Releasing Potential in 2016 having worked for many years as a Lecturer in Higher Education. Alex manages the operational and strategic elements of a number of services across the organisation including Releasing Potential Institute. Alex works closely with Releasing Potential School to ensure staff have access to a range of training and development opportunities, and co-ordinates and teaches on courses from Levels 2-7 with the organisation and externally. She is also responsible for data, web services and marketing.