Chris Sarginson Bsc (Hons) Psyche

Chris is a founder director of Gallant2000 Ltd. She previously worked for the NHS for many years during which time she worked as a specialist in organisational development. Whilst working for the NHS, Chris studied to become a psychologist, with an interest in Equality and Human Rights.

I found people’s behaviour and how they formed attitudes about different concepts around Equality and Human Rights fascinating. I loved learning about people. I wanted to find what made them tick.

Equality is important for everyone without exception. I have evidenced much injustice and discrimination and have done my best to stamp it out where ever I have worked. Discrimination can and does reduce a person’s performance, suppressing aptitude and talent.

Chris believes that everyone has talent. During her life, Chris has worked with thousands of people to motivate, challenge and stretch them to evidence their talents. With this in mind, Chris has co-designed training programmes such as ChanginGear, which has received outstanding results.

I feel that talent should not be wasted and we should be recognising what people can do instead of what they can’t do. This is vital in promoting equality.

Equality is a massive topic one which can make a difference to all of us and more importantly to the society in which we live. Most of us have faced inequality at some times in our lives, and the consequences of facing it can scar us to a point where our performance suffers. Once this hits us we then spiral into a situation where it can be too difficult to escape.

When working with her, the professional attitude she has shines through. Chris’s beliefs and values also become very clear in any work that she undertakes. The main one is the drive for high standards. This was clear when Gallant2000 became an accredited centre for the NCFE. Chris created and designed standards for disability and made sure Gallant2000 lead the field in this concept. She is passionate that people should evidence their knowledge and become rewarded for their achievements.

Chris has professional experience that has assisted her in understanding people and how they perform. Chris has the ability to enable people to understand and adopt the mindset required for change and engage in Equality.

When asked for a quote that sums up Chris, she said

I am very committed, energetic and enthusiastic about inclusion and Equality in particular. Witnessing the positive changes people have made to their lives by the work we have carried out together fills me with pride.

Recently she has co-written and published material around Disability Equality.

George Rowley BSc Hons. PGCSoc.

George is a founder director of Gallant2000 Ltd. He previously worked as a senior director in the commercial and community sectors as a specialist in Equality and Human Rights. His work and research centres around the impact of the issues on individuals, organisations and society.

George has worked in the Equality and Diversity field in various capacities for over 20 years. This has involved extensive working with TECs and LSCs and has been heavily involved in supporting disabled people in NVQ programmes.

George has spent this time researching and learning from a variety of projects and a wide range of individuals and situations. Working within a community psychology framework but also being heavily influenced by social policy theories and the application of these to projects. He is innovative and creative; working on various models of equality and social inclusive practices.

George says

These are exciting and challenging times, we have a fantastic opportunity to make a real change in society with the ideas embedded within Equality and Human Rights.

George is an interesting, intelligent and inspiring individual, who has provided people with an opportunity to increase their skills and knowledge in the equality field. Many of his clients have said he has changed their lives forever and people have found themselves responding to the life changing patterns that have improved their lives.

George has developed many theories and models many of which are embedded within programmes that he has designed and developed.

His academic background covers a range of disciplines this includes Chemistry, Humanities and Arts, Psychology and most recently post graduate work in Social Policy. He has also studied in depth the theories and practices of NLP. This has involved some study with Richard Bandler (the founder of NLP) and he has the Practitioners, Master’s and the Advanced Specialist Trainer in NLP certificates.

He brings to Gallant2000 not only his experience in this field over the past 20 years but also experiences gained in a variety of life situations. He brings a professional and humorous approach with the ability to think clearly. He is honest in the feedback he gives, discreet and loyal to all his clients.

Recently he has co-written and published material around Disability Equality.

George says

I have an enthusiasm and passion to see people achieve. I have a hatred of Social Injustice, and I have a drive to reach out and touch individuals so they experience a positive change in their life.

Clenton Farquharson

Twelve years ago I had the experience of being attacked and stabbed numerous times. This led me to acquire my disability. Since this time I have gone through an emotional roller coaster, firstly of feeling absolutely desperate and that my world was at an end and that I was completely useless. But over the last seven years this has completely turned round and I now have a mission to promote Social Inclusion, Equality and Disability Equality. I believe passionately and strongly about these issues and of their importance to this society, to people here, and on a global scale.

I came into this field of working in Social Inclusion not simply because I am black disabled man. I saw how some barriers were in place through the attitudes and behaviours of people in society. I now understand that a process is needed to enable full Inclusion to take place. The gift I bring to this is the passion and emotion that I have for the subject.

To achieve my mission I work on building and developing other people’s knowledge and understanding on the barriers disabled people face as well as working as Chief Access Consultant and Examiner for Gallant2000 Ltd.

Over the past ten years I have become an expert in accessibility issues working in a variety of sectors and disciplines. I have combined knowledge based on training, personal experience and practical insights gained in the field of disability. This has contributed to the creation and design of the Access Auditor Practitioner Level 4 (NCFE) programme.

Clenton says

I bring a very practical straightforward approach to translating how the theories of Equality and Diversity, operate in our lives and work. It’s not the theories, it’s the mindset. Don’t let what you don’t like get in the way of what you might find. Be willing to do what others wont do. There are no traffic jams on that extra mile. My aim is that social inclusion is achieved when individuals or communities do not suffer from the negatives effects of unemployment, poor skills, low income, poor housing, crime, and inequality in health provision.

I spend my life combating the injustice experienced by marginalised groups. This has led me to become a member of boards where I can use my experience and knowledge to influence change. My current public appointments include Equality 2025, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the user led project, that is being led by the Department of Health.

My interests include working towards achieving Social Justice and in any spare time I am also an ardent Birmingham City Football supporter.