Experience

MMF (Music Managers Forum)

• United Kingdom
• Musicians
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive

  • Dec 2015 - Present

  The Music Managers Forum is the largest representative body of artist management in the world. We work to educate, inform and represent UK managers as well as offering a network through which managers can share experiences and opportunities.The MMF provides a collective voice for music managers with the music industry and government. This role ranges from helping to unlock investment and open up new markets, to encouraging a fair and transparent business environment and driving a global agenda in the digital age.I sit on the UK Music Board, am a founder of the European Music Managers Alliance and the Council of Music Makers (CMM). I am also an external reviewer for the Government Communications Capability reviews of government departments and in 2017 contributed to the Treasury review.



Design Council

• United Kingdom
• Design
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director of Policy & Research

  • Oct 2014 - Nov 2015

  Provided strategic leadership for Design Council's Policy & Research activities, managed a high-performing team of 9 specialists. Key achievements included: Led the future of design debate for the Design Council's 70th anniversary leading to a series of thought leadership articles on the Design EconomyDeveloped the Design Council’s evidence base on the value of design by commissioning and publishing two leading new research reports on Design in Manufacturing focusing on the Aerospace and Automotive Sectors with subsequent policy recommendations for government at the Design Council's Summit in June 2015. Initiated a critical study on the economic contribution of design to the UK economy which will highlight the wider benefits of design to productivity across all sectors, not just the creative industries and will publish in the autumn. Worked closely with the CEO and other members of the Executive Board in the development of the Design Council’s strategy and led public affairs engagement with the new government post-electionResponsible for delivering the £3.4m Design for Europe Programme supported by the European Commission www.designforeurope.eu which has the aim of raising awareness of design-driven innovation and the benefits to business and the public sector across all 28 EU member states including organising a high-profile and successful conference with over 200 key stakeholders in Brussels in May 2015Developed commercial and non-commercial partnerships with key organisations such as Innovate UK, the Research Councils and KTN as well as the wider design industry, building long-term, strategic relationships that are mutually beneficial. This role was Maternity Cover to November 2015



Which?

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Head of Public Affairs

  • Jul 2013 - Sep 2014

  Devised and implemented the public affairs strategy for the consumer champion Which? in Westminster, Scotland and Europe and built a new team to join up political engagement across the organisation. Responsibilities included: positioning Which? as the leading consumer voice among decision-makers; representing Which? at high-level external events and meetings; managing engagement for Executive Director and Chief Executive; providing expertise and advice for teams across both the business and charitable arms of Which? on navigating the institutional environment. Managed a team of 6 located in London and Edinburgh including EU public affairs. Led work on influencing party manifestos on behalf of consumers for the 2015 general election as well as spearheaded efforts to influence the EU/US Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership on behalf of UK Consumers in London, Brussels and Washington.



Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Assistant Director/ Chief Communications Adviser

  • Jun 2009 - Jun 2013

  Appointed to Policy Pool handling high priority projects. Key achievements included: Policy development for Lord Heseltine’s £1.4bn Regional Growth Fund. Managed the transition of Grants for Business Investment from the Regional Development Agencies into BIS and proposed revision of the Industrial Development Act; Project management of UKTI’s transition of inward investment support from the RDAs into a third party contractor; Set up the Low Carbon Construction Innovation and Growth Team with senior business leaders. The emerging findings were launched in March 2010 to a positive reception from industry and supportive trade press coverage; Delivery and launch of Lord Mandelson’s Advanced Manufacturing package in July 2009 to business and media. Revised the Manufacturing team’s communication strategy and organised the Manufacturing Strategy ‘One Year On’ event with Ministers and 100+ senior business delegatesIn July 2011 moved to the Communications Directorate to take on the role of Chief Adviser to the Communications Director. Strategy development for BIS Communications. Introduced account management to the department and organised capability review. Led for BIS on the Statutory Register for Lobbyists and G8 presidency. Role also included managing resources (£5.5m admin budget and +90 staff), representing and providing support and advice to the Director.



Cadbury plc

• Supply Chain Manager, Europe

  • Oct 2007 - May 2009

  Managed major European Supply Chain reconfiguration and optimisation project for Cadbury's gum business. Facilitated business change and delivered solutions to European SC issues to maximise commercial success, competitive advantage, cost effectiveness and efficiency. Worked with colleagues across 7 countries and across functions to implement project to agreed timing and costs with no disruption to business services across Europe.

• Public Affairs Manager

  • Jan 2006 - Oct 2007

  Established advocacy priorities for trade, environment and agriculture and corporate governance on key issues to the business notably sugar reform and export refunds. Worked closely with internal functions to ensure position effectively benefits the business. Represented and communicated Cadbury Schweppes’ views in meetings with senior stakeholders across Westminster, Whitehall and with the EU institutions. In conjunction with CSR Director and Supply Chain developed Cadbury Schweppes’ first ever climate change strategy - “Purple Goes Green”. Gained Board commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2020 and implemented communications campaign – press releases and briefings, internal articles etc. Guided outreach with politicians, NGOs and trade associations. Management of consultancy agencies in London and Brussels (control of budgets, setting priorities).



FleishmanHillard

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Consultant

  • Oct 2002 - Dec 2005

  Management of Food/Consumer/Media practice. Provided strategic advice to a range of leading European companies about the impact of EU policy on their business. Devised public affairs strategies; issue management, political audits and advocacy campaigns with stakeholders where appropriate.Responsible for accurate invoicing, budget management of key client accounts and new business development.Ran secretariat of EU trade association: representing the association on EU consultative groups, writing position papers, chairing board meetings, event (seminar) organisation. Project managed inter-office Europe-wide research projects.Clients included: InBev, Discovery Networks Europe, SMA nutrition, Cadbury Schweppes, Sainsbury, Food Processing Machinery Europe (FPME).



Europe Analytica

• Belgium
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Consultant

  • Oct 2000 - Oct 2002

  Informed media clients on EU policy developments through regular newsletters and briefings as well as e-mail updates; actively involved in representing the European Publishers’ Council and lobbying on relevant policy issues. Attended industry group meetings such as the Right-holders’ Coalition, the Fair Trade Alliance and the European Services Forum as well as Parliamentary Committees and Commission Conferences. Organisation and attendance at outreach meetings with MEPs and Commission Officials and Permanent Representatives for clients.The role also included the writing of bids for new clients, hiring of staff and the general management of the Brussels office.Clients included: European Publishers Council, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), ITN, News International, Tesco Supermarket.