CHRISTABEL CHARLES
Chief Of Staff | Strategic Advisor | Executive Operations & Family Office,LinkedIn.com/in/christabelcharles
Summary
Commercially astute Chief of Staff, strategic advisor, and operations leader with experience supporting founders, CEOs, CFOs, CLOs, Boards, and UHNW principals across listed companies, fintech, venture-backed, and high-growth environments. Experienced operating across executive operations, private office leadership, governance, organisational transformation, stakeholder management, and property-related initiatives. Combines commercial judgement, discretion, and strong relationship-building with a hands-on approach to execution in complex, fast-moving environments. Founder of a multi-award-winning executive operations and talent business, with a track record of helping senior leaders navigate growth, operational complexity, and competing priorities in highly confidential settings.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Founder & CEO
SideSparkz
06.2022 - Current
- Built and scaled a premium executive operations and talent platform delivering executive support, operational expertise, and fractional leadership solutions.
- Lead sales, partnerships, relationship management, team growth, and operational delivery across the business.
- Built a 2,000+ talent network and waitlist, partnering with founders, executives, and premium clients navigating growth and operational complexity.
- Developed partnerships including NatWest Accelerator, Barclays Eagle Labs, IONOS, and ComplyCube.
- Gained recognition in publications for contributions to leading UK talent platforms and emerging companies shaping future of work.
Director of Operations (Senior Leadership Team)
Diversity X VC
11.2023 - 12.2024
- Led team of 15 as only SLT member with direct reports post-organisational restructure, enhancing leadership structure.
- Facilitated operational transformation and strategic execution, contributing to successful British Business Bank funding initiatives.
- Delivered 100% programme completion success, with approximately 40% of participating founders securing funding following Demo Day.
- Grew the founder community to 3,000+ members and developed partnerships including Dell and a major British banking institution.
Strategic Development Advisor (Property & Investments) - Retained
Confidential Principal Client
London
12.2024 - Current
- Advised on development strategy, planning pathways, and project repositioning across residential assets.
- Coordinated architects, planning consultants, contractors, lenders, and specialist advisors to ensure timely project delivery and maintain momentum.
- Drove commercial challenge, negotiation, and value optimisation to improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary expenditure.
- Partnered on financing and lender positioning discussions, helping shape commercially informed decisions.
Business Manager to CFO & CLO / Acting Senior Office Director
Planet (Planet Payment)
06.2022 - 10.2022
- Partnered directly with the CFO and CLO during a period of significant organisational transformation.
- Redesigned travel and expenses policies across multiple jurisdictions, improving governance and delivering a 15% reduction in overstated expense claims.
- Negotiated c.50% savings on office lease exit penalties and reductions in dilapidation costs.
- Led global hotel procurement, securing 21-25% savings with Edwardian Hotels, Meliá Hotels International, and Accor Group.
Chief of Staff & Private Office Lead to Chairman (UHNW)
FNZ UK Ltd (Contract)
12.2018 - 06.2019
- Oversaw private office administration including household staffing, budgets, PAYE, residence oversight, and Fine Art collection management.
- Managed complex business, personal, and household priorities across multiple jurisdictions.
- Collaborated with Company Secretary to strengthen governance and streamline Board preparation processes, improving overall efficiency.
Chief of Staff to Executive Chairman (UHNW) | Deputy Company Secretary
Ferroglobe PLC (Nasdaq Listed)
07.2017 - 12.2018
- Managed executive and private office priorities including international travel, private aviation, household management, and property oversight.
- Achieved £500,000 in annual savings by overseeing multi-million-pound departmental budgets, optimizing resource allocation and expenditure.
- Led cross-departmental initiatives to enhance communication and collaboration.
- Coordinated strategic planning sessions with executive leadership teams.
- Managed projects to streamline operations and improve efficiency across departments.
Business Development Manager (Banking & Leveraged Finance)
Allen & Overy LLP
10.2015 - 07.2017
- Managed complex international travel, executive priorities, and stakeholder coordination for senior Partners.
- Executed global client events and training programmes with the Global Head of Training to enhance client relationships and knowledge sharing.
- Conducted market analysis to identify growth opportunities and trends.
- Collaborated with legal teams to align business development strategies with firm goals.
PA to Equity Partners (including Head of Department)
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP (Contract)
01.2015 - 10.2015
- Coordinated executive priorities, international travel, and stakeholder engagement to ensure seamless operations.
Legal PA - Data Privacy & Intellectual Property
Hogan Lovells LLP
09.2014 - 01.2015
- Supported legal team within a leading global law firm, coordinating operational, business development, and executive priorities.
PA / Legal Secretary - Litigation, Employment & Dispute Resolution
DWFM Beckman Solicitors
07.2013 - 09.2014
- Supported senior Partners across legal operations, recruitment, onboarding, and stakeholder coordination.
Education
BA (Hons) - Business Studies
London South Bank University
09.2014 - 07.2017
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Relationship management
- Operational transformation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Effective communication
- Team leadership
- Influencing skills
- Corporate governance
- Contract negotiation
- Strategic development
- Project management
- Strategic thinking
- Investor relations
- Crisis management
- Portfolio management
- Financial analysis
Selected Career Highlights
- Chief of Staff to a UHNW Executive Chairman, Nasdaq-listed global organisation, Supporting both corporate and private office priorities.
- Director of Operations, Diversity X VC, Managing a team of 15 and overseeing operational delivery across the majority of SLT.
- Key Role, Successful delivery of a $20 million share repurchase programme, working alongside Goldman Sachs and Jefferies.
- Operational Savings, Delivered £500,000+ in operational savings through budgeting, supplier negotiations, and operational improvements.
- Founder & CEO, SideSparkz, Multi-award-winning executive operations and talent platform, supporting founders, executives, and HNW/UHNW stakeholders.
Awards
- Founder of a multi-award-winning business recognised across executive talent, innovation, and future of work sectors.
- Featured in publications showcasing leading UK talent platforms and emerging UK businesses shaping the future of work.
- Recognised through multiple business awards including founder and company excellence categories.
- Speaker and panellist across founder, scaling, operational leadership, and future of work events.
Timeline
Strategic Development Advisor (Property & Investments) - Retained
Confidential Principal Client
12.2024 - Current
Director of Operations (Senior Leadership Team)
Diversity X VC
11.2023 - 12.2024
Founder & CEO
SideSparkz
06.2022 - Current
Business Manager to CFO & CLO / Acting Senior Office Director
Planet (Planet Payment)
06.2022 - 10.2022
Chief of Staff & Private Office Lead to Chairman (UHNW)
FNZ UK Ltd (Contract)
12.2018 - 06.2019
Chief of Staff to Executive Chairman (UHNW) | Deputy Company Secretary
Ferroglobe PLC (Nasdaq Listed)
07.2017 - 12.2018
Business Development Manager (Banking & Leveraged Finance)
Allen & Overy LLP
10.2015 - 07.2017
PA to Equity Partners (including Head of Department)
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP (Contract)
01.2015 - 10.2015
BA (Hons) - Business Studies
London South Bank University
09.2014 - 07.2017
Legal PA - Data Privacy & Intellectual Property
Hogan Lovells LLP
09.2014 - 01.2015
PA / Legal Secretary - Litigation, Employment & Dispute Resolution
DWFM Beckman Solicitors
07.2013 - 09.2014