Archive

Name: Victor Adebowale.

Job: Chief executive, Turning Point.

How long in the job? Since September 2001.

Career highlight: My current role.

Best training ever done: Awareness training with the RNID. It forced you to change your point of view. It gave you a genuine glimpse of the challenges deaf people face, the trainer was excellent and it was intellectually stimulating.

I didn't get where I am today by: Expecting to get where I am today. I was far more concerned with issues.


Over the course of my career I wish I had: Learned more from my mistakes.

I wish I hadn't: Made those mistakes!

I applied for my current job because: I like a challenge and Turning Point represented a massive challenge, nothing short of helping to turn 120,000 lives around.

The best move I've ever made was: Opting for the not-for-profit sector. I knew there was a better way of doing things, of meeting social challenges.

The single most inspiring person I've met during my career is: David, a service user in one of our learning disability services who is brilliant. He is the most direct, straight-talking person I've ever met. Whatever we're discussing he tells it to me straight.

I aspire to be: Relevant and effective.

Me and my career: My role is incredibly varied. It involves a lot of contact with the likes of policy makers. I'm currently chairing a Home Office committee looking at the impact of stop and search procedures on different communities. I co-chaired a committee with health minister Rosie Winterton looking at ethnic minority mental health issues. I sit on several groups including the advisory council on the misuse of drugs, the mental health task force and the learning difficulties task force. Then there is the major part of my role, overseeing a not-for-profit organisation with a £55m annual turnover. Being a chief executive is all about the people you have working with you. Leadership is what happens when you are not around and fortunately I have an excellent team. Over my career I've worked in housing, regeneration and homelessness but social care is a constant theme.


CURRICULUM VITAE
2001-current: Chief executive, Turning Point.
1995-2001: Chief executive, Centrepoint.
1990-5: Director, Alcohol Recovery Project.
1988-90: Regional director, Ujima housing association.
1985-8: Housing manager, Patchwork housing association.
1983-5: Estate manager, Newham Council.