Sir Martin Narey DL
Non-Executive Director
Sir Martin Narey DL is well known for his extensive experience of managing change within the public sector. Having advised the Government on many landmark criminal justice and social transformation projects, he brings a new perspective to Innovate Services.
Sir Martin is renowned for his dynamic approach in strengthening public sector services. In his Board-level advisory role, he is helping Innovate elevate its services so that it can have a hugely positive impact – not just on a local authority level but throughout the SEND and social care landscape.
Following his career as a Prison Governor, and with a strong appetite for penal reform, Sir Martin Narey has held several prominent Home Office advisory and criminal justice roles since the 90s.
Between 1998 and 2003 he held the most senior position within the Prison Service. Firstly, as Director General of the Prison Service, and then as the first CEO of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). During his time at NOMS, he received The UK Chartered Institute of Management’s Annual Gold Medal for Leadership. He was the first public sector recipient of the annual award for over ten years.
His interest and transition into social care started when he accepted the role of Chief Executive of Barnardo’s in 2005, where he remained for five years. During his time at Barnardo’s, he chaired The Campaign to End Child Poverty, and saw Barnardo’s grow by almost 40% to become, once again, the UK biggest children’s charity.
His departure from the charity in 2011, saw him focus his attention on social care, and in particular, adoption on which he advised the Prime Minister and Department for Education. Since then, he has continued to act as an advisor to the Government on a range of children’s social care issues.
With a strong understanding of frontline pressures, he has published reports about the training of children’s social workers, residential care for children and, most recently the fostering system in England (2018).
Sir Martin Narey is a visiting Professor at the Universities of Durham, Manchester Metropolitan and Sheffield Hallam and enjoys sharing his passion with students.
Although Martin lives a busy life style he always finds time to enjoy soaking up the sea air at home in the beautiful seaside town of Whitby in North Yorkshire with wife of 42 years Jan, his two adult children, and three grandchildren.