IT’S quite unlikely that the young Darren Knight who was always getting into scrapes would recognise the one he has become as Chief Executive Officer of Bolton CVS.

The role as head of the town’s Community and Voluntary Services organisation, however, is one which Darren, aged 38, has grown into and which takes the town forward into a positive future.

Darren was born in Clayton le Moors near Accrington and has one sister. His childhood was happy with loving parents and extended family nearby. His earliest memories, however, all seem to revolve around a list of injuries sustained by the lively lad in his various activities!

Darren was a keen runner and a member of the Lancashire team until he was around 16 and his interest waned. He went to Accrington Moorhead Secondary School and did “surprisingly well” in his GCSE’s so he started an apprenticeship as a trainee accountant but eventually realised that this was not for him.

This coincided with him, at 17, coming out as a gay man. His family were very supportive and Darren moved to live in Manchester city centre. He had a series of jobs “trying to find my feet, really”. By the mid-2000s, though, when Darren was 25 he started to think more seriously about the path he wanted to take in life.

He got a job with the Lesbian and Gay Federation in Manchester working in front-of-house “in quite a lowly role” but impressed when he came up with fundraising ideas and put them into practice. He was encouraged to take a business studies degree at Manchester Metropolitan University and attended two nights a week for the next four years to gain his qualification.

Realising Darren’s potential, the charity promoted him. He was with them for eight years and finished as Head of Policy and Engagement. “I learned a lot about me here and also that I needed to listen more,” he recalled. The role also showed him the importance of equality and the value of individuals as well as about the voluntary sector - putting him on the first step of his current career.

A job as Development Manager with homeless charity Shelter followed, again in Manchester. By then, Darren had met the man who was to become his husband and they moved to Bolton because of its green spaces and accessibility to the city.

Darren spotted the advert for the job as CEO of Bolton CVS in 2015 and decided to apply. He got it but realised he had big shoes to fill, taking over from long-term CEO Karen Minnitt whose achievements included leading the organisation into their new home, The Hub on Bold Street in the town centre.

“Yes, it was very exciting – quite daunting in some ways – but Karen always reassured me that I was the right person for the job,” he stated.

And so it has proved to be. Darren took over at a time when local authority cuts were making a drastic difference to voluntary organisations and community groups - and those cuts started at home for CVS.

“It was difficult,” admitted Darren, “but I think we also learned from this situation and were able to continue in other directions.”

In fact, CVS has thrived under his guidance into fresh areas and initiatives for a broad section of the local voluntary sector. He has brought in new organisations to The Hub and instigated systems to sell CVS expertise alongside its free services.

There are now 21 members of staff working for CVS plus an impressive voluntary team. There are also 502 member organisations “but there are 1,500 in the town so we have to find ways to engage with them all,” explained Darren.

He does not view his sexuality as important in his role although he feels that it has allowed him to experience and understand inequalities of life for many people.

“I was beaten up a couple of times when I was younger for being gay,” he said, matter-of-factly. But he uses his own background and knowledge to help him fight homophobia – in fact, all extremes – and promote inclusion and personal respect.

Darren is full of praise for the warmth and acceptance of Bolton as a town and constantly impressed by the wealth of voluntary organisations and individuals keen to support them. As he concluded: “It’s really all about working together to make life better.”

Caption: TOP JOB – Darren Knight, Chief Executive Officer of Bolton CVS