Martin Kinsella, 1957-2016
It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the death of Martin Kinsella.
Rarely has a life cut prematurely short, had as great an impact as that of Martin Kinsella, former CEO of P3, who died on 21st August 2016 at the age of 59.
He was an inspirational leader and this devastating news will leave a gaping hole in the lives of the many people he reached through his charitable work with P3.
Mark Simms, the current CEO of P3 said: “Martin had few equals in his energy, drive and capacity for challenging social injustice; his commitment to social reform in all his endeavours; his courage and entrepreneurial appetite for risk; his brilliant and intuitive commercial judgment; his humanity and generosity of spirit; the ferocious loyalty and friendship he gave and drew from those around him; his charm and waspish humour.
“From this small yet challenging beginning, these values – that everyone in society deserved the chance to reach their potential – have never changed as P3 has grown to become a national, award-winning charity, with over 600 staff, working with thousands of individuals on a daily basis.
“Under Martin’s stewardship we (P3) grew from supporting homeless people in a single city in the Midlands to helping people all over England with a wide variety of needs. The Charity has won many national, regional and local awards and accolades; but most importantly we hear stories from clients on a daily basis who have had their lives turned around.”
Martin passed away peacefully following a hard-fought battle with cancer surrounded by his partner Karen and his three children, Rebecca, Calum and Georgina.
He will be greatly missed by his colleagues and service users, past and present, on whose lives he left an indelible and meaningful handprint.
About Martin Kinsella
Martin Kinsella knew there was a better way to manage the ‘Good Shepherd Trust’, a homeless hostel in Wolverhampton and took responsibility for the centre in 2002.
Convinced that the people in the service deserved more, Martin set about forming People, Potential, Possibilities (P3 Charity) for socially excluded and vulnerable people. His unique vision was one that would change lives and one that everyone in the organisation continues to undertake every day.
Under Martin’s leadership P3 developed into one of the UK’s leading charities and he was awarded the MBE for his services to charity. He had the ability to communicate and interact at all levels, and was able to speak truth to power during trips to Downing Street where he met with both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Martin’s final address to the sector as the outgoing chief executive of P3:
“Many people talk about what can't be done, but I'm keen to prove what can. It had always been my plan to set up a charity to provide quality services that make a difference to vulnerable people's lives. I founded P3 13 years ago and I think it's this can-do attitude that has got us through. We've gone from being a local organisation in Wolverhampton to become a national charity and social enterprise with a turnover of £20m this year.
“Some people in the sector don't like talking about money, but I think those millions of pounds represent the hundreds of thousands of service users whose needs we are meeting. All charities should have the obligation to develop, innovate and help more people.
"I've seen a lot of charities close because of financial illiteracy or thinking someone will write a big cheque and bail them out. It's all about spending what is available in the most productive way. The trick is to always offer more and devise new services to compensate for those you might lose.
“Respecting staff is fundamental: they are our greatest asset, which is why we've twice topped the Sunday Times list of the 100 best medium-sized companies to work for. You need to be clear what is expected of staff and then equip them to do the job.
“I don't want to leave now, but I was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and I have not got the necessary energy to continue pushing the charity forward. Thankfully, I am handing over to very capable, dedicated people who will work towards changing more lives than ever while I focus on my recovery.”
