About Us
Chrysalis's expertise is recognised as leading the field, and as such has a tailored approach to scheme funding, investment, environment & support design, development, operational delivery and long-term management, all whilst meeting the groups charitable and commercial objectives, driving in and maintaining the highest levels of accountability, risk mitigation and the highest levels of prudent and transparent governance possible.
This allows us to set comprehensive targets and strategies throughout the Group with a clear focus on the discreet delivery of each organisations clear objectives and specialist services, and to drive deliberately each area towards growth and sustainability. We are able to deliver and protect our charitable objectives through our 'not for profit' structure, whilst creating separate investment opportunities through the commercial arms of the businesses. This ensures that risks are ring-fenced and opportunities are fully explored whilst we protect the governance, strength, reputation and viability of the entire Group.
The Group's service providers are designed to address numerous treatment, support and care demands such as learning disabilities, autism, offenders with support needs, acquired brain injury, addiction, domestic abuse, preventing and responding to homelessness, mental health and other complex support needs, through our specialist services often alongside our specialist purpose designed high quality, structured supported housing. We have been collectively providing these services for over 20 years and have vast experience of helping people who are vulnerable, who are underserved by mainstream provisions and who have challenging and complex life experiences. We provide safe, individually designed, structured accommodation to those who need access to appropriate support and/or treatment, in order to aid recovery and or increase independence.
We have a network of direct and indirect delivery partners across England & Wales including major Integrated Commissioning Boards (ICB) and commissioning bodies such as local authorities and NHS commissioners, specialist developers, investors alongside excellent specialist CQC registered care and support providers from across the U.K.
Our Mission
To safeguard and promote the wellbeing of our service users and communities across the UK, providing high quality, good value, sustainable services and homes, demonstrating that commercial opportunity and activities through the group can underpin our commitment to deliver for social good.
Our Vision
To actively grow and diversify our business as a leading ethical customer focussed provider of high-quality specialist, structured supported housing and related services through the external provision of our strong expertise, attracting larger levels of investment.
Colin Mackell - Group CEO
Colin is the founder of Chrysalis Supported Association having established and led the organisation since 2003, delivering a range of good quality specialist services and supported accommodation projects. He is an established commercial and social entrepreneur, and is a published author. He holds a BSc Hons degree in Psychology & Health Science, a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Addiction Psychology & Advanced Addiction Counselling, and holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Existential Psychology, Philosophy and Psychotherapy. He is an Accredited Psychotherapist and Member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy, a member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association. He is also a L4 Registered Manager, specialising in addiction and recovery.
His specialist areas involve management of specialised therapeutic clinical interventions, relapse management, symptomatic detoxification, and training clinical and non-clinical teams within adaptive and responsive therapeutic services. He has worked as consultant, manager and practitioner in various settings including residential rehab and community based specialised supported accommodation environments. He has extensive Housing Management experience and has managed developments and adaptations personally as a landlord, developer and professional, growing these from new entities to tens of millions in turnover and gross value. He offers decades of unique insights and practical expertise in attending to the complex needs of both service creators, providers and those that support this process. He offers training and workshops across multiple domains and delivers these in the UK and Italy.
Anne Tew - Group CFO
Anne is an experienced Accountant, Company Secretary, professional business strategist and executive mentor with over 30 years of experience across a range of industries including the NHS, housing, testing laboratories, manufacturing, wellness and conservation. She has successfully led projects to achieve business turnaround, investment fund raising, restructuring, growth and development as well as setting up and improving systems and processes. She has worked on the public markets fundraising across two continents, completing a reverse takeover in Canada and redomiciling a public company to Guernsey.
Anne has worked as an Executive and Non-Executive Director, for public, private and not for profit groups and companies including the NHS and Social Housing. She has also advised boards on financial and governance matters as the Company Secretary or as an external consultant.
Malcolm Evans - Group Chairman
Malcolm became Chrysalis Group Services Non-Executive Chair from July 2023 after previously the Chair of Chrysalis Supported Association Ltd since 2019. He has had long career in Blue Chip Companies, holding several Senior and Board level positions in Finance and Commercial roles. He has decades of experience in Strategic Development, Acquisitions, Financing, Company re-structuring and growth platforms in the Housing, Leisure and Health sectors. Over the last 20 years he has held several NED positions, including for NHS Somerset and Arc Homes, an independent private subsidiary under Knightstone (now Live West) which he started, helping the housing association access funds from the capital markets over a 10-year period. He has worked with local authorities and private companies in the development and delivery of properties and affordable homes, focussing on the funding and structuring of housing schemes and regeneration programmes.
He currently advises a local council as Responsible Finance Officer in Budgeting, Expenditure Control and Development under the Local Plan and has been a member of PwC Non-Executive Director programme for the last 15 years.
Kevin Barker-Lee - Non-Executive Chairman
Kevin is a seasoned financial services professional with over 25 years of experience. He has held senior roles in HR, culture, organisational development, and wealth management at Lloyds Banking Group. Kevin’s leadership skills, strategic vision, and deep understanding of the banking industry are complemented by his external involvement in the voluntary sector.
Governance
The Group operates within a Group Governance Framework. Both Chrysalis Supported Association and Opoka as not-for-profit operate their own Boards for independent governance. Chrysalis Group Services acts as the overarching supervisory board incorporating board activities for all commercial companies. Chrysalis Group Services also has its own independent Audit and Risk subcommittee to consider the three not for profit organisations risks and financial controls independently.