Ben Smith spent 6 years working in finance for the NHS including 2 years for NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland managing their VCS contracts. Managing their grant scheme for VCS organisations delivering health improvement initiatives in Leicestershire, he provided advice, support and guidance to the sector.

Joining Voluntary Action LeicesterShire’s Policy Team in 2010 Ben took the lead for Children Young People and Families (CYP and F). Core to this is a partnership with Leicestershire County Council to develop the County’s Community Budgets programme for families with complex needs. Currently he is developing a CYP and F Forum for VCS organisations covering both Leicester and Leicestershire, that will provide a singular mechanism for information provision, partnership development and cross sector engagement.

Ben volunteers as Finance and Accounts Director for European Disaster Volunteers, a charity that is currently working in Port au Prince, Haiti with volunteers to deliver sustainable disaster recovery programmes.