Experience

FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics)

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Jul 2023 - Present

  FIGO - the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics is the global voice for women’s health and rights. As CEO I work with our President, board, Council, technical committees and over 135 national member societies across five regions to enhance the status of all women, girls and families, enabling them to realise their full potential of education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, professional opportunities and personal wellbeing. Our geographic reach and ability to mobilise our networks enable us to amplify critical insights and facilitate knowledge sharing at a global scale. FIGO advocates on a global stage, especially in relation to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and wellbeing, and non-communicable diseases. We promote a human-rights approach to health care, support efforts to empower women and girls throughout their lifetimes and work towards advancing gender equality worldwide. We put clinical research, experience and evidence at the heart of our initiatives and believe in the power of our diverse global community to bring about real change. FIGO leads on a global programme of initiatives to protect and progress the health and rights of women and girls around the world, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Our work is built on four pillars: education, research implementation, advocacy and capacity building. We support our member societies to grow, strengthen their capacity and collaborate with each other to make a positive impact on the lives of women and girls globally. Show less



BBC

• Italy
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 1 - 100 Employee

• BBC Appeals Advisory Committee Member

  • Nov 2020 - Present

  The BBC's Charity Appeals Advisory Committee is made up of independent experts from outside the BBC with wide experience of the charitable sector who advise and support the BBC in a number of areas, including: - Policy matters relating to all charity appeals associated with the BBC (by broadcast or on other platforms) - The overview (and scrutiny where required) of specific fund-raising projects such as Children in Need, Comic Relief, St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Appeal, emergency appeals and other projects where funds are raised for charities. - The allocation of broadcasting time on BBC Television and Radio to Radio 4 and Lifeline appeals for individual charities The BBC recognises its responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure that the individual charities are financially sound and that donations will be used appropriately, and the Appeals Advisory Committee play a key part in this. Show less



ActionAid UK

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

• Chief Executive

  • May 2021 - Jun 2022

  ActionAid is an international federation working with women and girls living in poverty, with a portfolio of humanitarian, development, advocacy and solidarity work. As CEO of ActionAid UK I led the largest of the 45 ActionAid members, with an annual income of £50 million, 210 UK-based staff and 11 country offices, including Afghanistan and Haiti. Joining ActionAid UK mid-pandemic and in a period of significant turnover at board level, I rapidly identified that the charity faced quite different, and long-standing, challenges to those I had been appointed to address. I focussed on working with colleagues to tackle the entrenched cultural and structural challenges I had inherited, establishing solid foundations for change before leaving to make space for my successor's appointment. I established a framework and foundations for organisational change, including securing a dedicated six-figure, multi-year budget from trustees for action on anti-racism and DEI. I oversaw a root-and-branch review of the HR and People function, significantly strengthening systems, processes and standards and establishing a new Director of People post. I established a new, diverse and inclusive recruitment process for vacant Chair, Treasurer and trustee roles with meaningful participation from staff, and for a restructured, expanded executive team. I commissioned a review of ActionAid UK's organisational Purpose and put in place a new strategy and planning process, creating stronger alignment with Federation-wide strategy. I worked closely with international colleagues in the secretariat team and ActionAid bodies around the world, to develop a new organisational model for federation coordination and leadership, a joint response to the Ukraine crisis and to evolve ActionAid's established decolonisation work. As a Disasters Emergency Committee board member I was part of decision-making and oversight for major appeals tackling crises in Ukraine, Afghanistan and in response to Covid-19. Show less



CARE International UK

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

• Executive Director, Programmes and Policy

  • Jul 2019 - Apr 2021

  I provided strategic leadership for CARE International externally, internally and across the CARE confederation. Senior relationship holder with donors, policy influencers and partners. I led a team of 60 staff and a grants portfolio of c.£170 million, covering CARE International UK's development, humanitarian, policy and advocacy remits. Spokesperson for CARE International UK on development and humanitarian issues. I led an inclusive, democratic process inside CARE International UK to identify, articulate and agree new values and behaviours, with a strong emphasis on inclusion and recognition, performance, kindness and courage. Show less



UK NGO Sector Steering Group on Organisational Culture for Safeguarding

• Co Chair

  • Mar 2018 - Apr 2021

  Leading the development of sector-wide principles, guidance and a digital self-assessment tool to establish and champion organisational cultures which put safeguarding at the heart of NGOs. Working together with Bond, DFID/FCDO and colleagues across the UK NGO sector. Spokesperson for sector on safeguarding culture change and gave evidence twice to the parliamentary International Development Committee. Leading the development of sector-wide principles, guidance and a digital self-assessment tool to establish and champion organisational cultures which put safeguarding at the heart of NGOs. Working together with Bond, DFID/FCDO and colleagues across the UK NGO sector. Spokesperson for sector on safeguarding culture change and gave evidence twice to the parliamentary International Development Committee.



Amref Health Africa - UK

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive

  • Aug 2015 - Jun 2019

  Transformed the UK arm of this leading health charity from a failing organisation with an unsustainable deficit business model to a respected, solvent NGO ready for further growth. Developed and delivered an ambitious three-year turnaround strategy. Established a strong organisational focus on culture and values. Spearheaded a new brand approach including commissioning groundbreaking photographic series from Dean Bradshaw, helping change the conversation about depictions of Africa and aid. Led Amref's global review of safeguarding policy and practice. Amref Health Africa UK is a registered charity and limited company whose primary focus is the development of sustainable health programme partnerships and income-generating activity to support Amref's work as the leading health NGO in Africa. Amref generates over £5 million each year in fundraising income from institutional grants, trusts and foundations, corporate partners and individual giving. Show less



Unicef UK

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 300 - 400 Employee

• • Apr 2015 - Aug 2015

  Responsible for the development and delivery of Unicef UK's communications strategy, I led the Communications area at UK and its component teams: Brand, Media, Ambassador Relations, International Programme Engagement and 7: The David Beckham Unicef Fund.Working at senior level within both the UK organisation and Unicef internationally, I provided strategic leadership across a range of high-profile and high-value programmes and initiatives.

• • Jul 2014 - Apr 2015

  As a member of the Strategic Leadership Group at UNICEF UK, I headed the International Programme Engagement team which leads UNICEF UK's involvement with development programme work around the world. This included ensuring that UNICEF UK remains focussed on supporting UNICEF’s global programmes for children strategically and in line with the organisation’s priorities as well as enabling UNICEF UK to maximise income in the UK by providing high quality donor-facing communications and appeals. Responsibilities included strategy development and implementation, influencing and negotiation at senior level domestically and internationally, team leadership and budget control. Show less



Independent

• Uganda
• International Trade and Development

• International Development Consultant

  • Nov 2011 - Jul 2014

  Independent international development for health consultancy, specialising in strategy, communications, leadership and management trouble-shooting. Projects included: - Specialist Strategic Communications advice to the Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health's Public-Private Partnership programme - Specialist Strategic Communications advice to the HMIS programme in the Swaziland Ministry of Health - Leading a major health sector evaluation in Swaziland - Editing national health reports for the Swaziland Ministry of Health - Strategic advice and implementation around organisational development, communications and fundraising for Bushfire International Festival (Swaziland) - Resource mobilisation with the Swaziland Red Cross Contracting organisations include: Futures Group (USA), IHM (Swaziland), JSI (USA/Swaziland) Show less



John Snow, Inc. (JSI)

• South Africa
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Lead Process Evaluation Consultant

  • Nov 2011 - Jul 2012

  I led the process evaluation of a c. $15 million PEPFAR/USAID national male circumcision for HIV prevention campaign in Swaziland I led the process evaluation of a c. $15 million PEPFAR/USAID national male circumcision for HIV prevention campaign in Swaziland



Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa, Swaziland

• Director of Development

  • Dec 2009 - Mar 2011

  This pioneering school targets young people of great potential but significant disadvantage to offer the best secondary education in Southern Africa, via an extensive bursary programme. I provided strategic leadership on fundraising and advocacy in South Africa and the UK working with two voluntary boards of trustees and in the USA via a small 501c (3). I created and delivered a programme of change to increase the school's fundraising capacity, which enabled us to secure over $850,000 in donations in under 18 months. I worked with Governing Council and was part of the senior team at the school. I was based in Swaziland but travelled regularly to the UK, South Africa and USA. Show less



Warley Woods Community Trust

• United Kingdom
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Trustee

  • Jul 2007 - Jan 2010

  My responsibilities included fundraising, budget scrutiny and leading the organisation and operation of a major annual community fundraising and participation event My responsibilities included fundraising, budget scrutiny and leading the organisation and operation of a major annual community fundraising and participation event



Leaps & Bounds - Inspiring Change

• United Kingdom

• Marketing and Audience Development Consultant

  • Apr 2008 - Oct 2008

  Leaps & Bounds inspires and supports vulnerable young people to change their lives for the better, through a unique combination of challenging personal development, mentoring, and the highest quality arts projects. Working across the whole organisation I created strategies for marketing and audience development. I led the delivery of these strategies, creating new processes for this young and emerging charity. I developed new partnerships to generate new audiences, leading to sold out performances at the culmination of two major projects, and creating a legacy of supporters and advocates for the future. Show less



mac (Midlands Arts Centre)

• Communications Director and Chief Executive

  • Apr 2000 - Apr 2008

  As Communications Director: - Strategic and operational management of the organisation. - Leadership of the Communications, Fundraising, and Information and Sales teams. - Strategic responsibility for income generation, audience development, branding, corporate profile of organisation, and external advocacy. - Total budget responsibility of c.£500,000pa - Deputising for mac’s Chief Executive - Developing, implementing and monitoring policies for the organisation as a whole. In 2007 I stepped up into the Chief Executive role, leading the organisation through a period of significant change as we prepared for the start of the major three-year redevelopment of the mac site and facilities. Show less


Foursight Theatre
• United Kingdom
• Board Member

  • Jul 2001 - Oct 2005


Birmingham Hippodrome

• United Kingdom
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marketing Manager, Capital Appeal

  • Aug 1998 - Mar 2000

  My role encompassed devising, implementing and budgeting the presentational strategy for the £2.35 million capital appeal, writing and producing all supporting materials, devising and implementing the high-profile media strategy, identifying companies to target for fundraising approaches, and devising and running a campaign of individual giving. Our initial target of £2.2 million was exceeded before the deadline, and a legacy of revenue funders was created for the future of the theatre post-development. Show less