Experience

Raspberry Pi Foundation

• United Kingdom
• Education Administration Programs
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Head of Impact

  • Aug 2022 - Present

  The Raspberry Pi Foundation empowers young people to use technology for good. We design learning experiences; provide curriculum, resources and training for teachers, volunteers and community organisations working in education and non-formal settings; and we conduct research that informs and improves computer science education globally. As Head of Impact I make sure we have the evidence we need to be confident in the difference we're making, to target our efforts where they're needed most, to continuously improve, and to share findings with our partners. My team delivers evaluations on a wide range of programmes that includes Code Clubs in India, vocational training for refugees in Kenya, curriculum resource used by teachers in England, activities for youth groups in the US, and a competition in Europe that gives young people the opportunity to run their computer programs on the international space station. Show less



UKFIET - The Education and Development Forum

• Education Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Committee Member

  • Jul 2021 - Present

  UKFIET aims to promote and strengthen international education and development for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, and other differences. It is a membership body that serves as a resource to policy-makers in multi-lateral, government, and non-government organisations, and to other institutions and agencies. Executive Committee members work voluntarily, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, to deliver UKFIET's portfolio of activities. In November 2022 I organised an event on education and climate justice. Activists from parts of the world most affected by climate change, academics, policymakers, donors and NGOs engaged in critical dialogue and futures thinking on how education can and should be transformed to ensure it remains vital, relevant and equitable in the years to come. Since the event we have published three blogs, and through a collaboration with the University of Bath are developing further opportunities for organisations working on education and climate justice to collaborate and deliver change. Show less



National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)

• United Kingdom
• Research Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Globalisation Programme Director

  • Jul 2020 - Aug 2022

  Directed an organisational change programme to transform NFER into a truly global education not-for-profit. Recognising the success and potential demonstrated by the Centre for International Education, the Senior Management Team committed to an ongoing programme of investment.- Successfully engaged senior leaders from every directorate (including the CEO and Board of Trustees), securing shared ownership of the strategy and the commitment of resources and a cross-functional programme team- Established a programme structure with multiple work streams, programme board, and reporting mechanisms to the senior management team, and adapted this as the programme moved from strategy design to implementation- Developed an ambitious commercial strategy and established a new business development team- Directed an extensive programme of investment in marketing and communications, technical innovation, and corporate functions such as legal, risk, safeguarding and duty of care Show less

• Head of International Education

  • Sep 2016 - Aug 2022

  Responsible for developing a strategy and establishing a new team to create a positive impact on global education through high impact research. When I began the role, NFER had a rich history over 70 years of improving education outcomes by providing evidence-based insights for policymakers and practitioners, focused primarily on the UK.Over the course of my time in post I:- Established the Centre for International Education, building a team of 12 highly regarded experts in education, research, assessment and international development, from the ground up- Developed a multi-million pound portfolio of new business focussed on low-middle income countries, particularly in Africa- Led business development and field visits into new markets, building client and partnership relationships, and writing bids- Directed large, complex projects involving fieldwork and partnerships across multiple countries, overseeing research design, operations, publication, media and stakeholder engagement. This included UK delivery of several major international education studies such as PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and IELS across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.- Established new business processes and corporate capabilities to ensure effective operations in new environments and manage risk- Served as a member of the Research Department's Senior Leadership Team, which includes around 100 staff, contributing to overall management and strategic direction Show less

• Head of Impact

  • May 2013 - Aug 2016

  NFER is a charity that exists to improve outcomes for young people. I worked closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to establish a new team created to innovate and lead change, in order that we can better fulfill this role.The team succeeded in raising the profile of NFER and its research, with increasing levels of engagement with senior policymakers, appearances before the Education Select Committee, a growing profile on social media, and a greater focus across the organisation on translating research findings into key messages and tools for policy and practice. My responsibilities included setting the Impact Team's overall strategy and objectives, working closely with senior management; establishing a dynamic, creative team culture, capable of adapting quickly to a changing external environment and new opportunities as they arose; and providing thought leadership, combined with a hands-on delivery role in many of the activities outlined below. The team had a dual role, working internally to support and challenge colleagues, and externally to create new opportunities to have a positive impact on education policy and practice. We did this by: * Commissioning and delivering new research, synthesis and commentary to provide insight into contemporary education issues * Leading a stakeholder engagement strategy, resulting in collaborations, strategic partnerships and new sources of income that increased our reach and influence * Developing new approaches to knowledge mobilisation, through innovative outputs, communications and engagement with the intended users of NFER's research* Advocating the role of evidence in education policy and practice, e.g. by taking a lead in supporting a more evidence-informed teaching profession. Show less

• Senior Research Manager

  • Sep 2009 - May 2013

  Research and analysis for policy-makers, funders and practitioners in education, children's and youth services. My particular expertise is in applying statistical and economic thought to policy design and evaluation. Project work covers a range of policy areas, including school improvement, early intervention, access to Higher Education, and engaging disaffected young people. The common theme is providing the evidence to ensure that resources are invested in ways that provide the maximum value for money and the greatest positive impact on children and young people.I delivered a diverse range of workshops and seminars on topics including including Statistical Analysis with SPSS; Logic Models for Evaluation; Randomised Controlled Trials; Value for Money analysis; and Writing for Policy Impact. Show less



Steer

• United Kingdom
• Business Consulting and Services
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Assistant Consultant // Consultant // Senior Consultant

  • Sep 2005 - Aug 2009

  Consultant to government, service operators and investors in the transport sector, providing evidence and analysis to support sound investment, wise decisions, and informed policy-making. Focused in particular on transaction support, including demand, revenue and cost forecasting models for infrastructure and service improvement, economic and business case development, and bid evaluation. Conducted several Europe-wide research projects for the European Commission to inform policy development. Consultant to government, service operators and investors in the transport sector, providing evidence and analysis to support sound investment, wise decisions, and informed policy-making. Focused in particular on transaction support, including demand, revenue and cost forecasting models for infrastructure and service improvement, economic and business case development, and bid evaluation. Conducted several Europe-wide research projects for the European Commission to inform policy development.