Chris Sands is an award winning designer, marketer and branding expert.

He created the Totally Locally concept & campaign in 2009 for his home region of Calderdale. It had such an economic impact on the area that he was asked by other towns to do it for them. So he decided to give it away for free in a step by step guide and kit. Since then it has grown dramatically.

In July 2015 Chris was presented with an Honorary Doctorate from The University of Staffordshire for his work with the free Totally Locally initiative.

In 2013 Chris, and business partner Nigel Goddard, created the Valley of Lights event to create economic vibrancy after tremendous flooding hit the Upper Calder Valley twice in 3 months. Valley of Lights brought 12,000 people onto the street to celebrate their community. A Totally Locally Shop kit was given to every business in the area. Many shops reported their best ever Christmas (after the floods had devastated many businesses).  Valley of Lights went on to win the Association of Public Service Excellence Award for best community and neighbourhood initiative in the UK. It also created £1.5 million in PR for the region.

Chris has spoken at conferences and run workshops on engaging communities, branding, place making, town regeneration and sense of place across the UK and in Australia and New Zealand.

He was awarded the Inspire award for Inspirational people of Calderdale in 2014.