Leadership series: Paul Evans

Through the CORE Leadership Series, we share the stories, insights, and journeys of inspiring industry leaders.

In this episode, Krishnan Doyle, Managing Director at COREcruitment, seats down with Paul Evans, Chief Executive Officer at Carlisle Support Services to explore an incredible journey from the frontline to the boardroom. Starting out as a young security officer in Sheffield locking and unlocking buildings, he now leads a 5,000-person organisation named Company of the Year 2025.

We dive deep into the reality of engineering a massive business turnaround, the operational mechanics behind their remarkable 58% internal promotion rate, and what it truly takes to professionalise the UK security sector while working alongside the government.

Beyond business strategy, this conversation tackles the raw, human side of leadership: tackling the structural challenges of the outsourced services sector, navigating the rise of AI and technology in facilities management, and delivering genuine mental health and wellbeing support to frontline night-shift workers.

Whether you are an aspiring leader in facilities management or a seasoned executive, this interview is packed with invaluable insights on authentic, people-first leadership.

About Carlisle Support Services: prominent UK providers of outsourced workforce and facilities management solutions. Headquartered in Luton, they partner with major brands and organisations across the country to deliver bespoke, tech-supported staffing solutions. Their primary operations span security services like manned guarding, corporate and retail cleaning, events stewarding, and specialised rail infrastructure support such as revenue protection and station maintenance. Operating on a B-2-B model, they deploy thousands of front-line operatives across the transport, retail, healthcare, and public sectors.