SAVING MONEY BY DOING THE RIGHT THING

JOIN US IN RESHAPING THE FUTURE OF COMMISSIONING

Welcome to a new era of collaborative commissioning. Let’s make it happen.

The LDA Commissioners Network was founded to address the pressing need for a collaborative and innovative space dedicated to improving the commissioning of services for people with learning disabilities and autism.

With the challenges in the sector becoming increasingly complex, we recognised the need for a platform where commissioners can come together to share ideas, learn from best practices, and take meaningful steps towards achieving better outcomes for individuals while ensuring the efficient use of public resources.

About Us

Chris Watson brings a wealth of experience in strategic commissioning and leading large-scale change programmes across the social care sector. As the founder of Self Directed Futures and Chair of the SDS Network England, Chris has been at the forefront of championing person-centred approaches that improve lives and empower individuals and their families.

His extensive background in transforming systems and processes has helped local authorities and organisations unlock efficiencies while staying true to core values of personalisation, citizenship, and human rights.

Ashleigh Fox brings deep expertise as a Registered Nurse for Learning Disabilities and Transforming Care Director at Catalyst Care Group. With hands-on experience in delivering high-quality care solutions, Ashleigh is deeply committed to approaches that reduce dependency on paid support, prioritise long-term sustainability, and focus on achieving real outcomes for people with complex needs.

Her leadership and advocacy have consistently emphasised the importance of ethical practices, innovative service delivery, and fostering meaningful change in how care is structured and provided.

Jake Banbury brings lived experience and an unwavering commitment to inclusion to everything he does. As an autistic person and co-chair of the LDA Commissioners Network, he uses his voice to advocate for greater understanding, representation, and equity across health and social care.

With a background in customer-facing roles and over eight years of experience as a steward at Exeter City Football Club, Jake is known for his calm presence, quick thinking, and compassion in high-pressure situations.

His journey, shaped by resilience and honesty, reflects a deep desire to make a difference. By speaking openly about mental health and neurodiversity, Jake fosters empathy and advocates for recognising the strengths and potential in everyone.

Together, we bring complementary perspectives

Chris, with a commissioner’s strategic focus on systems change; Ashleigh, with the practical insights of a service provider working directly to meet the needs of individuals and families; and Jake, with lived experience and a powerful commitment to inclusion and advocacy for neurodiversity. This partnership ensures that the LDA Commissioners Network not only addresses the technical aspects of commissioning but also remains grounded in the day-to-day realities of care delivery and the lived experiences of people who rely on these services.

Our Vision

Our shared motivation for creating this network lies in the urgent need for innovation and collaboration. Commissioners often face challenges in:

Navigating Complex Systems

Balancing Budgets

Meeting the growing demand for personalised support

The LDA Commissioners Network aims to address these challenges by providing a space where commissioners can access new ideas, tools, and approaches, while engaging with like-minded professionals who share a commitment to improving lives.

This network is not about abstract theories or high-level policies; it is about practical solutions, actionable insights, and tangible outcomes. We aim to create a community where commissioners can learn from innovative practices, showcase effective approaches, and collectively drive systemic change. Central to this vision is a commitment to values-driven commissioning—ensuring that every decision is guided by the principles of personalisation, respect, citizenship, and human rights.

The LDA Commissioners Network is also carefully curated to maintain a high standard of quality and purpose. From the organisations we partner with to the sponsors we work alongside, everyone involved must align with the ethos of doing what is right for people while being conscious of the public purse. This ensures that the network remains a trusted space for commissioners to explore new ways of working.

Join LDA Network

Our guiding ethos is simple: saving money by doing the right thing. We believe that innovative, personalised, and efficient approaches can simultaneously deliver better outcomes for people and reduce costs for commissioners. By building a network of like-minded individuals and organisations, we aim to unlock the potential for real, lasting change in how services are commissioned and delivered.

The LDA Commissioners Network is more than a professional forum—it is a movement towards ethical, impactful, and sustainable commissioning. Together, we can reshape the landscape of services for people with learning disabilities and autism, ensuring that resources are used wisely and that every individual has the opportunity to live a good life.