Management
Don Serratt – CEO and Founder
Don Serratt is the founder and CEO of Life Works with over 20 years business, finance and management experience, along with 25 of years of continuous sobriety. Don has decided to use his personal experience and passion for recovery to help others face their addictions, trauma and self-destructive behaviours by bringing together the best possible staffing and therapeutic techniques in a comfortable and safe environment. Don holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas and a Masters in International Relations from Cambridge University.
Chris Cordell – Operations Director
Chris Cordell has over 18 years of managerial experience, the last 7 of which have been at a senior level for a leading UK Third Sector substance misuse organisation. With a degree in Social Psychology, post graduate certificate in management and qualifications in leadership development from Deloitte, Chris has demonstrated a high degree of vision and strategic operational leadership. He has developed and managed multi- site substance misuse services; delivering robust financial management and exponential organisational growth alongside high quality and effective treatment.
Prior to starting at Life Works, Chris was responsible for leading a staff team of 80 employees, including consultant psychiatrists, specialist substance misuse doctors, psychologists and a team of nurses and substance misuse workers. As the CQC Registered Manager he had responsibility for countywide provision of substance misuse treatment for West Sussex. Chris has also held a number of advisory roles including most recently being part of the advisory group, along with Director of Policy and Research (UK Drug Policy Commission) and the Head of Drug Strategy Unit Delivery Team at the Home Office, in contributing to the “Whole Person Recovery: A user-centred systems approach to problem drug use” – a national investigation into UK Drug Policy.
Gabrielle Epstein – Clinical Director
Gabrielle is a Psychologist with over 25 years experience specialising in substance misuse. Gabrielle has held many senior positions including Head Psychological Consultant at Odyssey House Therapeutic Community, Melbourne and Consultant Psychologist for the Western Healthcare Network Victoria. Gabrielle has lectured in post- graduate medical and pharmaceutical education and provided training and consultancy to police, mental health staff and a wide range of clinicians and organisations including advising on National Occupational Standards. Gabrielle has developed and implemented innovative service systems and has lead on clinical governance for a range of organisations. Gabrielle has been responsible for county wide treatment systems in the UK and has extensive experience in ensuring the delivery of high quality services; most recently as Deputy Director for the South East of England for Addaction one of the UK’s largest addiction treatment providers.
