Programme Manager - Digital Transformation

• Jun 2023 - Present

Senior IT Project Manager - Digital Delivery

• Dec 2022 - Present

IT Project Manager - Digital Independence

• Mar 2021 - Dec 2022

Joined the Digital Independence programne, focused on separating WorkSafe's systems from MBIE and bringing them house.Working on the migration of specific documents and systems, migrating them into WorkSafe's SharePoint Online.Managing projects from conception through to closure.

Business Owner: Chocolate Consultancy & Events

• Jun 2013 - Present

10+ years industry experience running chocolate making workshops and classes for award-winning British chocolatiers, world famous department stores, and festivals including William Curley, Harrods and The London Chocolate Show.I offer inspiring chocolate workshops and events for the public, alongside consultancy for small to medium chocolate businesses and the wider industry.I regularly judge for Academy of Chocolate, International Chocolate Awards, and more recently the New Zealand Chocolate Awards.My passion for chocolate comes from a deep set love of good wholesome food, a want to help the industry through connecting the right people, and a desire to help the consumer make more informed (tasty, and fun) decisions in their food choices. I take particular interest in bridging the gaps between farmer (producer), maker and eater (consumer) and feel that events, workshops and awarding bodies centred around chocolate can be a fundamental part of engaging and nurturing a fun and positive attitude to food.Every spare moment I hunt for new chocolate makers, shops, farmers and trends and wherever possible explore the world in search of the best cocoa beans. Recent global activities have included festival appearances, guided demonstrations and research trips at Ingemann's "Academia de Cacao" (Nicaragua), Uncommon Cacao’s “Guatemala Chocolate Week” (Central America), Northern Ireland's Chocolate & Fine Food Festival, London's The Chocolate Show, The North West Chocolate Show (USA) and the Grenada Chocolate Festival in the Caribbean. My adventures can be found here: theadventuresofellecoco.comPrevious industry clients include: Damson Chocolate (UK), Tri Island Chocolate (Grenada, Caribbean) and Stamba Chocolatier (Georgia, Caucasus), New Zealand Chocolate Awards (New Zealand).Previous corporate clients include: Harrods, Aston Martin, Laurent Perrier Champagne, Howard Kennedy LLP, PWC (U.K. and New Zealand) and McArthurGlen. Show less

Head Judge - NZ Chocolate Awards

• Jul 2018 - Present

While travelling through the Americas in 2018 I was approached online by the wonderful team behind the NZ Chocolate Awards and asked if I would like to head up their judging panel as head judge for their 2018 awards and beyond.With a background in branding and marketing, and having worked across both couture and bean to bar chocolate, as well as training under industry leader William Curley in pastry, I jumped at the idea to support the team behind the awards.Supporting the team in ensuring they are run transparently, without bias towards any part of the chocolate industry in New Zealand, while letting the awards truly showcase the amazing industry that NZ can offer on the world chocolate stage.Responsible for:• regularly evaluating entry requirements for products to keep in line with both the International Chocolate Awards and Academy of Chocolate Awards• media commentary and appearances to represent and promote the awards and share industry knowledge on hot topics in the chocolate world• produced a judging and tasting guide used for judging both couture and bean to bar chocolates• provide judge training and refresher session on the day before judging commences• provide support and guidance to the event organisers and individual judges and in groups to help them reach conclusions• take part in judging for the supreme award, deciding who is crowned winner for that years' awards. Show less

Senior Chocolate Tour Guide (Chocolate Ecstasy Tours)

• 2013 - 2017

A freelance position for award-winning walking tour company Chocolate Ecstacy Tours. Taking the intrepid and inquisitive around some of London’s most famous chocolate haunts, sharing my industry knowledge and expertise whilst admiring some of the world’s most famous architectural landmarks along the way.• Guide tourists around London's award-winning chocolate shops, sharing my knowledge and passion for chocolate and London history as we go• Training new tour guides in key tips, guiding and presenting techniques and historical and chocolate knowledge Show less

Project Manager

• Jan 2021 - Aug 2021

Broadening diversity in New Zealand’s technology sector through proactive identification, upskilling and work placement of under-represented groups. Specifically Māori and Pacific peoples, especially wahine. www.eaf.kiwi for more information on this unique initiative. Responsible for: • Logistics of bringing trainers together from New Zealand and Australia to lead a 3 month intensive workshop in Wellington NZ for successful candidates • Candidate sourcing, screening, interview prep and structure • Training venue, equipment and technology sourcing • Daily timeline and task management with weekly reporting, working with individuals and organisations across NZ government and technology sectors Show less

Senior Project Manager - Business Improvement

• Jul 2019 - Dec 2020

Managed the Enrolment Processing programme covering 9 projects in the Business Improvement team for the 2020 General Election. A highly complex collection of projects, with incremental delivery of multiple features, needing an effective, timely and measured approach, appropriate to the fast changing COVID-19 and political environment. Significant events called for fast, accurate decision making, alongside close collaboration with teams, vendors and other government agencies. Key Achievements of the projects: • Office fit out for three locations across New Zealand for Data Entry staff responsible for processing enrolment update forms and digital enrolment transactions • Recruitment of 140 Data Entry staff across New Zealand • Recruitment of Enquiries team staff to handle Enrolment related enquiries • Design and delivery of training modules for Data Entry and Enquiries staff, including redesign of modules to a more e-learning and online platform based learning approach as a result of COVID-19 • Working closely with in house IT staff and external IT vendor to determine and implement iprovements to the enrolment processing system • In collaboration with other teams, vendors, national service providers and other government agencies; design and deliver an Enrolment Update Campaign pack sent out to over 3.2 million New Zealanders, including overseas residents. • Successfully delivered the Enrolment Update Campaign despite issues with international postal deliveries • Development, deployment and monitoring of multiple SMS text campaigns to electors encouraging them to update their details Show less

Senior Digital Advisor - Digital Channels

• Aug 2018 - Jul 2019

As part of the stand up of the new Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) I officially moved to the new ministry (from MBIE), becoming Senior Digital and Communications Advisor for HUD. Key Achievements: • Managed build and maintenance of new intranet for HUD on the SharePoint platform, delivering to extremely tight timeframe and limited budget • Managed scoping and build of new KwiwiBuild website, working closely with the vendor and KiwiBuild counterparts with a challenging spec and limited budget • Managed and delivered upgrade of Ministry of Housing and Urban Development website and other HUD-owned sites to a new all of government hosting platform, being one of the first Ministries in New Zealand to upgrade to the new platform • Developed a refreshed intranet with improved user experience and simplified user journey, incorporating additional features made available to the ministry since initial launch of the ministry’s intranet • Established an area of the HUD website dedicated solely to the publication of documents considered as, and therefor beneficial to, NZ public knowledge (proactive releases). Key Responsibilities: • Working with the business to define user and business requirements for the next stage of the intranet; including updating, reviewing and refreshing content and layout of all areas of the site • Advise the internal Communications team on content supply and upload, managing expectations in terms of timeframe, and requirements • General site maintenance and daily updates across all sites • Consulting with other NZ government agencies for best practice and due diligence regarding proactive releases, ensuring publications were released in a timely manner, yet sensitive to political events, and documents released were beneficial to the customer (NZ public and media) • Analytics and reporting on traffic of site • Working closely with vendors managing budgets, and negotiating and managing HUDs SLAs for all sites Show less

Digital Content Manager

• Nov 2017 - Feb 2018

• Content Management: Managed a more journalistic / editorial perspective to content management within HSBC to drive SEO and create a more personalised experience for users. • Acting Gatekeeper to support best practice for content migration onto new CMS, reducing risk by ensuring only relevant, essential content updates and amends were made to the existing site. • Coordinated e2e content planning across multiple channels, both digital and offline, including social media, reducing risk by remaining relevant with all legal requirements of the bank and wider financial services. • People Management: Managed on site team of 3 content developers and off site total of 4 designers and developers • Responsible for team planning using JIRA management system for regional UK and Poland based teams • Weekly and monthly reporting on progress to management and assessing workflow/s of wider team Show less

Project Manager - Creative Services

• Jan 2017 - Nov 2017

Key Achievements • Event Management: Delivered events across all UK centres to drive digital traffic and physical footfall to each centre. Events include the annual ‘Summer Social’ events held across all UK centres. • Installations: Delivered Christmas installation projects in line with budget, scope and timeframe, across the portfolio of shopping centres throughout UK, Europe and Canada, including procurement of 'statement pieces' such as giant bespoke artificial Christmas trees, assessing requirements for each centre, managing new contract tenders, ensure health and safety standards are adhered to, relevant risk assessments supplied for install and legal contracts are signed. • Photo Shoots: Managed seasonal photo shoot projects, assessing each centre's requirements and budget across the UK and Europe, effectively managing legal implications relating to customer consents within UK and Europe • Print Production: Coordinated all monthly store guide requests for each centre in multiple languages, ensuring the relevant external design agency and print supplier is assigned Show less

Project Manager - Property Branding

• May 2015 - Dec 2016

Key Achievements Multi-channel brand development and management for UK luxury property developer Berkeley Homes: • Digital production: Managed two CRM websites for Berkeley St James, responsible for content and site structure updates using the Wordpress.org platform • Event management: Managed and delivered a variety of highly acclaimed events for one of London's largest housing re-generation projects. Including: new home launches, construction 'topping out' ceremonies, community art projects, local markets, events and festivals • Print production and publishing: Coordinated production of a range of marketing collateral; including brochures, booklets and magazines for new home launches; USBs, bags and Tshirts for a range of events, sourced from a selection of suppliers to the highest standard • Signage production: Managed design, creation and production of large scale hoardings and promotional panels for events and new site launches. Coordinating in-house design teams and external suppliers to meet client needs. Show less

Digital Project Manager

• Sep 2013 - May 2015

Key Achievements • Multichannel re-brand and overall company restructure for market-leading global engineering firm IMI plc: o Supported the client with strategic implementation of a new LEAN approach to engineering business management, to reduce waste and improve productivity and effectiveness of their work force o Supported the migration of over 10,000 users across several countries to a new Sharepoint intranet system o Re-design and production of legal documents, site signage, stationery, merchandising, marketing / advertising collateral delivering on-time and to budget globally • Digital production: o Managed and coordinated a team of in house designers, external web developers and consultants on various projects including; o Intranet and website builds, site transformations for IMI plc, interactive educational console games for schools subjects in maths and English for Sparx, promotional videos for Vitec Videocom • Event management: o Produced highly acclaimed events within budget for corporate conferences; including venue hire, recruitment and co-ordination of staging/AV and videography teams, supply and delivery of conference items world-wide • Print media production: o Delivered monthly print media submissions across a global roster of yachting magazines o Produced annual glossy coffee table magazine for super yacht company BURGESS Yachts o Developed a growing ‘cascade’ of booklets, pamphlets, brochures and newsletters for IMI plc o Produced the annual report for IMI plc Key Responsibilities: • Managed in-house design team of 5, and 3 external web developers • Coordinated regular digital updates including e-banners, site restructure or migration, general maintenance across a roster of client websites: Vitec Videocom, Sparx, IMI plc companies and BURGESS yachts • Created detailed project plans with well-defined tasks, milestones, client sign offs and specifications, assisting in communication of project progress to management Show less

Chocolatier & Pastry Chef, Workshop Tutor, Marketing & Events Manager

• Jun 2011 - May 2013

Key Achievements• Co-managed transfer of company website to an interactive platform, improving customer purchase by 35%• Developed and ran the company’s hands-on workshop schedule• Planned and executed events which directly increased sales, includingo In-store film shoots for British reality tv show ‘Made in Chelsea’o Store and product launcheso Festival stallso Press releases and marketing materials through print and social media• Managed and delivered Harrods first in-store hands-on cookery class schedule• Co-ordinated and developed product launches for o Three seasonal Afternoon Tea ranges at The Halkin Hotel and o Laurent-Perrier in-store champagne dessert bar launch at William Curley BelgraviaKey Responsibilities:• Delivered media campaigns across social media channels, the corporate blog and e-newsletters• Assessed marketing campaign effectiveness using Google Analytics• Brand Awareness: briefed partner companies and staff on new products / ranges and the brand itself• Press releases, online content and in-store signage and coordinated/ marketed promotional events• Built successful client relationships through design and delivery of events, classes, corporate workshops and industry presentations for Harrods, The Halkin Hotel, Aston Martin and Laurent-Perrier Champagne Show less

Trainee Chocolatier

• Jan 2011 - Jun 2011

Training in the William Curley kitchen under award-winning chocolatier Alistair Birt and award winning pastry chef Sarah Frankland.Learning the fine art of the chocolate and pastry industry from the experts.- Developed a keen eye for detail and flavour development- In-depth depth knowledge of sanitation principles, food preparation, and nutrition.- Assisted in menu planning and prep, inventory management, projections and developing recipes based on customer insights.

Chocolate Workshop Instructor

• Oct 2009 - Jan 2011

• Designed and delivered corporate team-building and experience days for a variety of clients including o Apple, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Marks and Spencer • Trained new staff in presentation technique, resulting in high brand ranking in experience days listings • Delivered bespoke cooking classes on weekends for individuals • Designed and delivered corporate team-building and experience days for a variety of clients including o Apple, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Marks and Spencer • Trained new staff in presentation technique, resulting in high brand ranking in experience days listings • Delivered bespoke cooking classes on weekends for individuals

Assistant Director

• Jan 2010 - Dec 2010

Films included; Madonna’s “W.E”, Johnny English Reborn and Captain America. Shoots in London, the Home Counties, Wales and France • Supported Director, DOP (Director of Photography) and key cast members • Managed and directed movement and activities of background artists (extras) • Carried out some scene setting duties (stand in work) when stand ins were not available / booked. This included setting scenes at Sotheby’s, preparing a fight scene before involvement of stunt doubles, and a dance scene involving Cartier jewellery • Liaised with location manager and location unit across multiple shoot locations including prep of location signage prior to shoot and safe lock up / exit of location post shoot •Preparing and maintaining locations during shooting m, including herding sheep (yes, you read that correctly). • Management of the public during some shoots in public thoroughfare • PA to Rowan Atkinson on Johnny English shoots for one month • Assistant director (dailies) on Johnny English managing cast and crew, and liaison with the public in some shoots to prevent / reduce interference • Produced daily progress reports for production office and supplied call sheets and script to cast and crew Show less

Supporting Artist / Stand In / Body Double

• 2004 - 2009

Starting out my film career as a supporting artist / extra, I made many positive connections with film crew and assistant directors resulting in multiple repeat bookings, including roles as stand in and body double in TV series and movies in the UK. This formed a lucrative income while studying at sixth form and university, particularly during holiday periods. It taught me great time keeping, professionalism and compassion even in incredibly stressful and trying situations. It also taught me to stand up and speak up when I thought something wasn't right, which earned me respect and resulted in being offered a role as a supporting Assistant Director / Runner on Madonna's film WE in 2010. Show less