Charles is a hyper-growth focused digital entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of HelloSelf, the digital therapy and psychological coaching platform that partners with the UK’s leading healthcare providers to deliver online, evidence-based therapy at scale.
The business was founded in 2018, bringing together the worlds of Technology, AI, Neuroscience and Psychology to push past the boundaries of traditional therapy and accelerating the access to high-quality and effective care whilst reducing pressure on the expanding need for mental health services across the country. HelloSelf uses a secure video platform that connects patients with a team of expert psychologists and CBT therapists, allowing them access to 1:1 therapy sessions, as well as a personalised SelfPlan.
Prior to this, Charles was part of the leadership team at leading fundraising platform JustGiving, which he helped to become one of the fastest growing social technology companies, steering the business through its successful acquisition by Blackbaud in 2017 for £95m. In 2007, he also founded Kinship Networking, a social creative consultancy that worked with clients including Vodafone, ASICS and Sky, which he exited to SapientNitro in 2011.
1. What values are most important to you as a leader?
Impact – focus on change.
Curiosity – interest in first principles discovery.
Trust – makes exploration together less risky.
2. Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
My Brain Haemorrhage – a constant reminder that time is short so focus on impacting as many people positively as possible… as soon as possible.
3. Best piece of advice you have been given?
Fall in love with problems not solutions – as a founder the solution has to change but the mission problem remains.
4. What would you tell your younger self?
You’ll be fine… time to be brave.
5. What has been your most important or profound lesson as a leader?
It’s all your fault / you need to be the most confident and least confident person in the company at all times.
