Experience

Home-Start UK

• United Kingdom
• Individual and Family Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director of Network Impact

  • Mar 2021 - 2 years 10 months



The Parent-Infant Foundation

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

• CEO

  • Oct 2018 - Feb 2021

  - A full review of the charity’s operations leading to clarity of purpose, significant organizational change, a coherent five-year strategy to grow parent-infant relationship support across the UK, and a new brand. - Alongside the growth in parent-infant teams with the network growing from 8 to 36, we revitalized our campaigning work, becoming a leading voice in the first 1001 days sector, striving to make a difference for every baby through effective policy change. - Recruitment and… Show more - A full review of the charity’s operations leading to clarity of purpose, significant organizational change, a coherent five-year strategy to grow parent-infant relationship support across the UK, and a new brand. - Alongside the growth in parent-infant teams with the network growing from 8 to 36, we revitalized our campaigning work, becoming a leading voice in the first 1001 days sector, striving to make a difference for every baby through effective policy change. - Recruitment and development of an expert, innovative and high-performing team. Creation of strong internal communication mechanisms and connectedness to support a home-working, flexible and inclusive approach. - Review and improvement of our governance and operational processes to support sustainability and growth. - Shifted funding from a single founding donor to over 50% diversification of funds including two multi-year grants.

• Interim CEO (Parent-Infant Partnership (PIP) UK)

  • Sep 2017 - Sep 2018

  Northampton, United Kingdom



Mental Health Foundation

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Interim Strategic Lead (maternity cover) for Mums and Babies in Mind project

  • Jan 2017 - Sep 2017

  The Mums and Babies in Mind project supported local leaders in four areas of England (Blackpool, Haringey, Southend and Gloucestershire) to improve care and quality of life for mums with mental health problems during pregnancy and the first year of life, and their babies. During this maternity cover post I worked with practitioners, commissioners and local women in each area through their service improvement journey through supportive training days for local leaders, enabling peer… Show more The Mums and Babies in Mind project supported local leaders in four areas of England (Blackpool, Haringey, Southend and Gloucestershire) to improve care and quality of life for mums with mental health problems during pregnancy and the first year of life, and their babies. During this maternity cover post I worked with practitioners, commissioners and local women in each area through their service improvement journey through supportive training days for local leaders, enabling peer support and sharing best best practice. The Mums and Babies in Mind project was led by the Mental Health Foundation in partnership with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, and funded by the Big Lottery. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/projects/mums-and-babies-mind http://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/mumsandbabiesinmind/about/ #mabim Show less



NCT Charity

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 100 - 200 Employee

• National Perinatal Mental Health Project Manager

  • Jul 2016 - Sep 2017

  National I led this Dept of Health funded project to develop, deliver and evaluate safe, effective and sustainable peer support for women experiencing mental health difficulties in pregnancy and early parenthood. The 'Parents in Mind' project was developed and delivered in three sites, with a focus on local partnership working. This included: development of the evaluation with the research partner organisation recruitment of a project leaders at each site development of the volunteer… Show more I led this Dept of Health funded project to develop, deliver and evaluate safe, effective and sustainable peer support for women experiencing mental health difficulties in pregnancy and early parenthood. The 'Parents in Mind' project was developed and delivered in three sites, with a focus on local partnership working. This included: development of the evaluation with the research partner organisation recruitment of a project leaders at each site development of the volunteer journey with project leaders and NCT trainers incl, effective safeguarding and supervision practices, volunteer training, volunteer management and support local networking to embed the programme within local systems and pathways and to secure ongoing funding for the projects sustainability. In addition I worked across the charity to help embed perinatal mental health as a core element of antenatal and postnatal support, including early development work on the successful #HiddenHalf campaign. Show less



Dr Beckie Lang

• Independent Consultant

  • Sep 2004 - Sep 2017

  Working on a variety of projects in both the private and public sector relating to nutrition, mental health, project and policy development. Part time.



Institute of Performance in Practice (iPiP)

• Programme Director

  • Dec 2015 - Jun 2016

  Warwick, UK Support on a range of health promoting projects: - Baby Be Smoke Free - Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group Mapping project - Funding application preparation



Tommy's

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

• Health and Research Manager

  • Sep 2011 - Nov 2015

  home based Providing evidence based information for the public and health professionals on 5 lifestyle factors that can make a difference to pregnancy outcome; diet, exercise, weight management, smoking cessation and mental health. I developed campaigns and research projects to support healthy pregnancies. Key roles: - Development of a communications and activity plan to achieve maximum reach among health professionals about the Tommy’s midwifery information service. - Development and delivery… Show more Providing evidence based information for the public and health professionals on 5 lifestyle factors that can make a difference to pregnancy outcome; diet, exercise, weight management, smoking cessation and mental health. I developed campaigns and research projects to support healthy pregnancies. Key roles: - Development of a communications and activity plan to achieve maximum reach among health professionals about the Tommy’s midwifery information service. - Development and delivery of the successful Making Maternal Mental Health Matter campaign – raising awareness and bringing parity to physical and mental health in pregnancy. - Management of a Dept of Health funded project to identify, develop, deliver and evaluate an acceptable and effective approach to support smoking cessation in young pregnant smokers. - Proactive stakeholder engagement and relationship management within government departments, policy teams, royal colleges, other charities and organisations aligned with Tommy’s aims. - Proactive gap analysis and subsequent development of resources for women with diabetes in pregnancy, mental health difficulties and pregnancy post bariatric surgery. - A recognised spokesperson for Tommy’s on public health topics in pregnancy; nutrition, exercise, weight management, smoking cessation and mental health in the media, at scientific conferences and events related to Tommy’s aims. - Representative for Tommy’s on national policy and practice groups; Smoking in pregnancy Challenge Group, Maternal Mental Health Alliance, Big Lottery’s A Better Start nutrition advisory group. - Line management responsibility for the Tommy’s midwifery manager. Show less



Association for the Study of Obesity

• Lead, Strategic Review

  • Nov 2012 - Mar 2015

  I conducted the first strategic review for the organisation and prepared a three year strategic plan for the trustees. I remained in post to support the trustees in implementing the Plan. This saw the development of the new website; compiling a communications strategy and starting a social media presence; and supporting the regeneration of the Association's regional groups.



University of Warwick

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Fellow

  • Jun 2010 - Aug 2012

  Coventry, United Kingdom I managed the EMPOWER study - Preventing obesity in infants at high risk through healthy weaning practices. This was a Dept of Health funded feasibility study conducted in Leeds and Birmingham to test the feasibility and acceptability of a health visitor based lifestyle intervention for obese mums and their babies. This involved picking up the project part way through and seeing it to completion by collecting data, data analysis, management of the project steering group, providing regular… Show more I managed the EMPOWER study - Preventing obesity in infants at high risk through healthy weaning practices. This was a Dept of Health funded feasibility study conducted in Leeds and Birmingham to test the feasibility and acceptability of a health visitor based lifestyle intervention for obese mums and their babies. This involved picking up the project part way through and seeing it to completion by collecting data, data analysis, management of the project steering group, providing regular reporting to funders, dissemination of the project. My final 8 months were spent working as a Research Fellow on the Families for Health Study - a RCT to test a family based, parenting led, weight management programme for overweight children. This involved seeking ethical approval, setting up the sites to deliver the intervention, recruiting families and data collection. Show less



The Coca-Cola Company

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Nutrition Comms Manager

  • Apr 2008 - Sep 2010

  Based in corporate identity, public affairs and comms (CIPAC), I linked health policy and research into the business teams. Key issues were sugar reduction, portion control, caffeine in specific groups, hydration. I continued to work with the company for a further year as a consultant.



Medical Research Council

• United Kingdom
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Nutrition Communications Manager

  • Aug 2007 - Mar 2008

  Maternity cover



Association for the Study of Obesity

• External Affairs Officer

  • Apr 2004 - Mar 2008

  One of two members of staff for this small membership-based organisation. Key roles: Working with the trustee board to develop the three time/year conference days Media spokesperson and link to others across the membership on all aspects of obesity and weight management Preparation of consultations relating to obesity on behalf of the organisation (NICE, DH, FSA etc) Representation of the organisation with government departments and arms length bodies, professional groups, the… Show more One of two members of staff for this small membership-based organisation. Key roles: Working with the trustee board to develop the three time/year conference days Media spokesperson and link to others across the membership on all aspects of obesity and weight management Preparation of consultations relating to obesity on behalf of the organisation (NICE, DH, FSA etc) Representation of the organisation with government departments and arms length bodies, professional groups, the media. Provision of all communications to the membership through e-marketing and the website Management of the website. Show less



Teesside University

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research fellow

  • Feb 2004 - Feb 2006

  Research programmes focused on: prevention of obesity in children maternal obesity Also a media spokesperson for the University on issues relating to nutrition, obesity and health



Medical Research Council

• United Kingdom
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Communications Nutritionist

  • Jul 1999 - Sep 2003

  Cambridge, England, United Kingdom Development of a comms function working to disseminate internal research into policy and practice, and to provide an independent evidence based nutrition function for external partners. Significant media work across print and broadcast becoming a turn to spokesperson.