our consultants

CSK Strategies works with a network of independent consultants, from which we build effective, expert Consultancy Teams. We also collaborate with other consultancy companies and organisations. 

Our Principal Consultants

Nirmla Devi | Louise Kilbride | Rajeev Prakash

Nirmla Devi

Nirmla Devi has 20 years experience working in local government, including at Chief Officer Level, within economic development, regeneration and housing. This has included successful management of a multi-agency regeneration partnership delivering a £57m SRB programme in Sandwell which was independently ranked as one of the best SRB programmes in the country This included Smethwick Works which helped 1000 people into work and Smethwick Achievers which provided bursary funds to nurture exceptional talent and ability. Prior to her work in Smethwick, she was involved in developing an effective network of Employment Resource Centres based in a wide variety of communities across the City of Birmingham and in establishing a pioneering strategic approach to community economic development for Birmingham . Most recently, Nirmla led Sandwell's Housing Market Renewal Area work, developing Area Investment Frameworks and effective engagement and participation structures to underpin the housing market restructuring process.

Nirmla can be contacted at nirmladevi@tiscali.co.uk

Louise Kilbride

Community Development | Housing | Health | Education and Training

Louise has a background as a community development practitioner. She has extensive experience in voluntary and public sector management and delivery of services, within the context of tackling inequalities and social exclusion.  As Co-Director of the Centre for Health Action Research and Training (CHART) West Midlands (2000-2004), Louise managed an organisation that successfully delivered research, evaluation, consultancy and training to local authorities and other public and voluntary sector agencies, aimed at tackling health inequalities and promoting well being. She also has significant experience in the field of Social Housing, having worked as Head of Community Regeneration for Focus Housing Group, prior to becoming a freelance consultant.

Since May 1998, Louise has worked as an independent consultant, delivering training, research and consultancy to a range of public and voluntary sector organisations.  Louise frequently works with Paula Smith as the ‘Kilbride Smith Partnership. She is also a visiting lecturer at Birmingham University , University of Central England  and Fircroft College of Adult Education. Louise's key skills include communication, project development and management, partnership development and co-ordination, research and training. A full CV can be obtained from louisekilbride@blueyonder.co.uk

Rajeev Prakash

Regeneration | economic development | business development | programme and project planning

Rajeev is an experienced senior manager of regeneration and economic development, having successfully led and managed major capital and revenue programmes. He is highly skilled at establishing and working with new and multi-disciplinary teams to secure rapid customer focus and the rapid delivery of improved performance and measurable results. The breadth of his experience includes Chief Executive posts in New Deal for Communities and Single Regeneration Budget Partnerships, and Senior Management positions in a number of Local Authorities' regeneration, economic development and planning departments.

While Head of Economic Development at Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, Rajeev directed all economic and business development activities and budgets, and ensured that the area secured Objective 2 status and Assisted Area Status. He subsequently directed a £152m SRB1 programme in Stoke on Trent and a £200m NDC programme in Wolverhampton where the key issues that were addressed included multi-disciplinary working, partnership building, establishing performance management arrangements, and developing and implementing master plans, delivery plans and action plans. Within the first year of operation, Cobridge Community Renewal in Stoke was recognised as the country's top performing SRB regeneration initiative.

Rajeev can be contacted at rajeev@csk-strategies.co.uk

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