Meet the CJ Founds Associates Team

We collaborate with our clients to provide an integrated approach to programmes and project success, bringing a fresh, innovative and assured approach to delivery.

Our wide-ranging skillset and expertise, both in-house and through our trusted Associate Network, enables us to deliver technical excellence, creative solutions, and fast track delivery.

Our reputation is founded on trust, respect, and integrity, with over 30 years of award-winning, successful project delivery, effective leadership, and strong industry relationships.

CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Chris Founds

Managing Director

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CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Nathan Spilsted

Place and Planning Lead

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CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Sarah Founds

Technical Director

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CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Ryan Smith

Highways Delivery Lead

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CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Hannah Cheyne

Business Manager and PMO Lead

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CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Hayley O'Brien

Project Manager

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CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Alana Gaughan

GIS and Data Lead

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CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Trevor Challen

NEC Contract Supervisor

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CJ Founds Associate Ltd

About Chris

Managing Partner

Chris brings over 30 years of senior-level executive experience from both public and private sector. He has delivered major transport and digital infrastructure projects; and has operated as Highways Director, Programme Manager, Business Development Director, and in various advisory roles.

A Civil Engineer by background and more recently specialising in project and programme management, Chris has advised a range of infrastructure projects for Combined Authorities, National Transport Bodies, County Councils, Contractors and Consultants. Chris specialises in delivering complex infrastructure and brings a confident and trusted approach with clients.

Chris leads our training and skills academy. He is Co-Owner and Lead Managing Consultant at CJ Founds Associates.

About Chris

Skills and expertise

  • Programme and Project Management
  • Procurement management
  • Work winning
  • Learning & development
  • Technical Advisory
CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Meet Nathan

Place and Planning Lead

Nathan has over 20 years of public sector experience and has worked in strategic development delivery, development management, planning policy and economic development.

A chartered Town Planner by background, Nathan’s in-depth knowledge across many work areas enables him to uniquely matrix across numerous disciplines to provide leadership and informed decision-making to facilitate successful project delivery for clients.

Meet Nathan

Skills and expertise

  • Programme Management
  • Placemaking / Master planning
  • Planning / Urban regeneration
  • Economic Development
  • Infrastructure Delivery (inc Digital)
  • Local Authority processes and governance requirements
  • Stakeholder management
CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Meet Sarah

Technical Director

Sarah provides technical engineering expertise and delivers sustainable transport solutions for walking and cycling projects, together with Road Safety Engineering advice, including Local Safety and Traffic Calming Scheme Design recommendations.

With a thorough understanding and background of public sector delivery, Sarah provides expert knowledge for clients to support engineering delivery.

Meet Sarah

Skills and expertise

  • Traffic and Transportation Engineering support
  • Accident Investigation and Prevention advice
  • Safety Audit management
  • CCTV Engineering solutions
  • Project Management
  • Technical Advisory
  • Active Travel
CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Meet Ryan

Highways Delivery Lead

Ryan has excellent experience working in a multidiscipline construction environment ranging from health and safety, construction and highways. Ryan has substantial experience in Local Authority highway maintenance and improvements schemes and has a breadth of experience managing capital projects including high profile strategic, sustainable infrastructure.

Meet Ryan

Skills and expertise

  • Experienced Local Authority Project Manager
  • Experienced Highway Engineer
  • Programme Management
  • Contract Management
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Project Financial Management
  • Project Processes and Controls
  • Change Management
  • Contract Site Supervision
  • Collaborative working
  • Highway Specification Practitioner
CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Meet Hannah

Business Manager and PMO Lead

Hannah has a 12year history within a project management office, with many years of experience in both supporting Project Managers and in leading specific delivery tasks.  Her strong background as a qualified Project Manager has provided her with essential knowledge and experience of how and what a PMO should deliver in order to obtain project excellence.

Hannah takes responsibility for managing the day-to-day activity of the business, including administration, training, corporate and wellbeing.

Meet Hannah

Skills and expertise

  • Assurance and Governance
  • Project Controls expert
  • Project Management
  • Systems and Processes
  • Collaborative working
  • Document management
  • LEAN methodologies
  • Business and commercial management
  • Culture Change Specialist
  • Finance and Accounting
CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Meet Hayley

Project Manager

Hayley has excellent experience working on projects of varying nature, with many years of experience both in supporting project managers and leading projects of her own. Hayley provides the essential knowledge and experience of how and what a PMO should deliver in order to obtain project excellence.

With a background in delivering social and community benefits as an integral part of project delivery, Hayley leads on CSR activity across the business.

Meet Hayley

Skills and expertise

  • Project Management
  • Project Controls
  • Project Support
  • Project Coordination
  • Collaborative working
  • Relationship Building
  • Risk Management
  • Local Authority processes and governance requirements
CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Meet Alana

GIS and Data Lead

Alana has gained 4 years of experience in using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and conducting data analysis. She has utilised these skills throughout her degree and has continued to develop them over the last 6 months since she joined CJ Founds.

Alana’s strong educational background and previous managerial experience have equipped her with a comprehensive skill set. As GIS is becoming an increasingly important asset for visual communication and efficient project delivery, her proficiency in this area is a valuable asset to our team.

Meet Alana

Skills and expertise

  • Expertise in QGIS
  • Data processing and formatting
  • Excel proficient
  • Collaborative working
  • Strong communicator
  • Independent researcher
  • Database portal navigator
  • Focused and innovative
  • Licensing and data copyright knowledge
  • Eye for design and visual communication
CJ Founds Associate Ltd

Meet Trevor

NEC Contract Supervisor

Trevor brings a wealth of Contractor understanding and construction delivery knowledge in his role as NEC Supervisor. Trevor has successfully worked for various Civil Engineering Contractors across West Sussex and has an excellent working knowledge of the infrastructure network and assets across the region.  Trevor brings a very good awareness of Contractor delivery and is highly skilled in value engineering, monitoring performance and compliance, testing and inspection.

Meet Trevor

Skills and expertise

  • Site Supervision
  • Contract Management
  • CEMAR and NEC practitioner
  • Clerk of Works and Inspector
  • Health & Safety / Zero Harm / Welfare
  • Risk Assessments
  • Commercial Management
  • Projects Controls
  • Local Authority processes and governance requirements
  • Collaborative working