Experience

Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT)

• United Kingdom
• Mental Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Communications & Policy

  • Feb 2023 - Present

  I'm delighted to have started a new role with the leading organisation for family therapists in the UK, leading on external communications and engagement. I'm delighted to have started a new role with the leading organisation for family therapists in the UK, leading on external communications and engagement.



St Helens Council

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Cabinet Member for Economy, Business & Skills

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  Playing my part in the exciting regeneration of St Helens as we progress our partnership with English Cities Fund, develop our plans for the Town Deal, and deliver key employment opportunities at Parkside, Glass Futures, Omega West and elsewhere. Committed to ensuring we spend more of our budget on local firms, and using our powers and funding to support good quality local jobs and apprenticeships. Leading the development of our Inclusive Growth & Skills Strategy, working with stakeholders to drive fairer and greener growth for our Borough. Responsible for business support, employment services including our Ways to Work Service, and adult education.

• Councillor

  • May 2018 - Present

  A Labour Party Councillor for Parr Ward on St Helens Council



Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Deputy Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Growth & Third Sector

  • Jan 2019 - Present

  Chair of the Social & Solidarity Economy Reference Panel Board Member of the Chrysalis Fund Chair of the Social & Solidarity Economy Reference Panel Board Member of the Chrysalis Fund



Self-employed

• North West

• Freelance

  • 2018 - Mar 2023



4Children

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of External Affairs

  • Jan 2016 - Sep 2016

  • Member of the Senior Management Team for a charity delivering services to children and families in 150 settings across the UK, with around 1000 staff. • Led a programme of work on the future of support for Britain's families, including campaigning for better childcare support and help for parents, and to protect Sure Start Children’s Centres. • Managed a team delivering policy, public affairs and research, events and conferences, and all aspects of communications, including marketing, publications and internal communications. • Responsible for strategy development, stakeholder management and corporate relationships. • Devised and delivered a plan for internal and external communications during a major period of change which resulted in the transfer of all the charity’s contracts to alternative providers and 4Children going into administration.



House of Commons

• United Kingdom
• Political Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Political Adviser, Labour Party

  • Jan 2013 - Sep 2015

  • Advised the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Leader of the Opposition, and Shadow Cabinet on Wales and devolution. • Responsible for political and parliamentary strategy, media relations and policy and manifesto development. Wrote articles, speeches and briefings. • Experienced in developing policy in a devolved context, and in managing political stakeholders. • Advised the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Leader of the Opposition, and Shadow Cabinet on Wales and devolution. • Responsible for political and parliamentary strategy, media relations and policy and manifesto development. Wrote articles, speeches and briefings. • Experienced in developing policy in a devolved context, and in managing political stakeholders.



Mildmay Community Partnership

• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director/Trustee

  • Jan 2011 - Mar 2015

  Local regeneration charity which runs community projects and manages the award-winning Mildmay Community Centre Local regeneration charity which runs community projects and manages the award-winning Mildmay Community Centre



The Factory Community Project and Children's Centre

• Islington, London

• Management Board Member

  • Oct 2010 - May 2014

  Trustee of the innovative community project and children's centre on the Islington/Hackney border. Trustee of the innovative community project and children's centre on the Islington/Hackney border.



Islington Council

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Labour Councillor and Chief Whip

  • May 2010 - May 2014

  Key achievements include the rebuilding of Newington Green primary school, the completed rebuild of the Mildmay Community Centre and the formation of the Newington Green Traders Association. During my time on the council I was Chief Whip and Carer's Champion, and sat on the Overview and Health Scrutiny Committees. Key achievements include the rebuilding of Newington Green primary school, the completed rebuild of the Mildmay Community Centre and the formation of the Newington Green Traders Association. During my time on the council I was Chief Whip and Carer's Champion, and sat on the Overview and Health Scrutiny Committees.



Daycare Trust

• London, United Kingdom

• Deputy Chief Executive

  • Jan 2010 - Dec 2012

  Daycare Trust was the national childcare campaign. During my time as Deputy CEO, I was responsible for communications, policy, research and projects. I successfully led the delivery of large scale projects, including a major grant from the Department for Education and research funding from the Nuffield Trust, carried out in partnership with the University of Oxford. I raised significant sums of grant funding and sponsorship, and maintained relationships with key stakeholders in government, business, the trade unions and voluntary sector. I advised the Government on policy and research, and sat on a number of committees and advisory groups. I represented the organisation in the media, regularly appearing in print and on tv and radio, including interview with Sky News, BBC News, Radio 4's Today Programme and Five Live. Key achievements included successfully campaigning to extend the free entitlement to early years education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds; highlighting the cuts to Sure Start across England, gaining extra funding for childcare in Universal Credit. I also helped negotiate the merger between Daycare Trust and the Family and Parenting Institute which took place in January 2013 (forming the Family and Childcare Trust), including leading on staff consultation and working with other staff and trustees on developing a strategy for the new organisation .



University College London Hospitals

• London, United Kingdom

• Governor

  • Sep 2010 - Jun 2012

  Islington Council's representative on the Governing Body of UCLH Foundation Trust Islington Council's representative on the Governing Body of UCLH Foundation Trust



William Tyndale Primary School

• London, United Kingdom

• School Governor

  • Sep 2007 - Feb 2012

  During my five years as a school governor I served on the finance committee and chaired the curriculum committee. During my five years as a school governor I served on the finance committee and chaired the curriculum committee.



Carers UK

• Policy & Public Affairs Manager

  • Jul 2006 - Jan 2010

  I campaigned to improve the rights and entitlements for the UK's six million unpaid carers who look after friends and relatives. I worked with government, businesses, older people's and disability charities to improve services and try to stop carers having to put their own health, finances and career at risk because of their caring role. Key responsibilities: drafting policy responses (eg to government consultations), conducting research (regular surveys of carers), media relations (conducting live tv and radio interviews and briefing journalists), representing the organisation on taskforces and coalitions. Key areas of interest: social care reform, community care law, benefits and pensions, flexible working and employment.



CBI (Confederation of British Industry)

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Policy Officer

  • Mar 2004 - Jul 2006

  I worked on employment policy and public service reform at the UK's leading business organisation. I worked on employment policy and public service reform at the UK's leading business organisation.



Social Market Foundation

• London, United Kingdom

• Intern/Researcher

  • Oct 2003 - Mar 2004