Experience

Genetic Alliance UK

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

• Chief Executive

  • Jul 2022 - Present

  I lead a UK-wide charity with a mission to work with organisations and individuals to ensure that the needs and preferences of all people affected by genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions are recognised, understood and met. Genetic Alliance UK is the largest alliance of organisations supporting people with genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions in the UK. Our members and the people they support are at the heart of everything we do. We advocate for fast and accurate diagnosis, good quality care and access to the best treatments. We actively support progress in research and engage with decision makers and the public about the challenges faced by our community. We run two long standing projects: – Rare Disease UK, a campaign focused on making sure the new UK Rare Diseases Framework is as successful as possible, and to ensure that people and families living with rare conditions have access to a final diagnosis, coordinated care and specialist care and treatment. – SWAN UK supports families affected by a syndrome without a name - a genetic condition so rare it often remains undiagnosed. We are the only dedicated support network for these families in the UK. Show less



Tuberous Sclerosis Association

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

• Chief Executive

  • Jun 2017 - Jun 2022

  I led a UK-wide patient organisation with a mission to provide 'help for today and a cure for tomorrow' for people affected by the rare genetic disorder Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). Key achievements include: - Developing and delivering a five-year strategy focused on improving health and care for people living with TSC and their families (www.tuberous-sclerosis.org/about-the-tsa/mission-and-vision). - Significantly improving the quality of specialist information and support services through a new website, refreshed digital channels and new Support Line to help individuals understand what TSC is, how it may affect them, and where to access help from the NHS and social care. - Developing a research partnership strategy to gather and use evidence from patients and carers to improve treatment and care, and drive over £725,000 of external investment into TSC research. - Balancing the books to ensure the charity is financially sustainable, including addressing a long-term structural deficit by halving both headcount and expenditure while simultaneously increasing the number of people we reach with our information and services by 25 per cent. Show less



Tonic Life Communications

• London, United Kingdom

• Senior Director

  • Jan 2016 - Apr 2017

  I joined this specialist healthcare communications agency to sharpen my income-generation skills by establishing a public affairs practice and providing senior management support during a major period of change. Key achievements included developing a strategy for the Nursing and Midwifery Council to engage senior midwives during and after legislative changes in midwifery supervision and practice resulting from public concerns at Morecambe Bay NHS Trust. Private sector clients included Eisai, Indivior, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin and Olympus. Show less



Portland

• United Kingdom
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Partner and Head of Portland Health

  • Feb 2013 - Dec 2015

  At this top end communications agency I developed my income-generation skills by establishing a health unit from scratch. I built a team of 10 staff. We gave strategic advice on communications, policy and stakeholder engagement for Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Asthma UK, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Macmillan; and advised on best practice in patient and public engagement for the Care Quality Commission. Private sector clients included ABPI, Alexion, Benenden, Bupa, Care UK, Pfizer, Sanofi and Shionogi. Show less



NHS Confederation

• United Kingdom
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Director of Communications and Engagement

  • Sep 2009 - Jan 2013

  In this high profile members’ organisation my initial responsibilities as Director of Communications were for media relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, editing, publishing, websites, social media, corporate and internal communications. After promotion to Director of Communications and Engagement in 2011, I also had responsibility for member and partner engagement, commercial relations, marketing, conferences, events and exhibitions. I managed 63 staff across two sites and a budget of over £5 million. Key achievements included establishing and leading the high profile Commission on improving dignity in care for older people in hospitals and care homes to improve care ahead of a highly critical public inquiry report anticipated following public concerns about Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. Show less



Hanover Communications

• United Kingdom
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Communications Consultant

  • May 2008 - Aug 2009

  After a long period at NICE, this role gave me further private sector public affairs consultancy experience. One key achievement was developing a strategy for the National Screening Committee to communicate complex antenatal and cancer screening decisions to the public. After a long period at NICE, this role gave me further private sector public affairs consultancy experience. One key achievement was developing a strategy for the National Screening Committee to communicate complex antenatal and cancer screening decisions to the public.



NICE - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

• United Kingdom
• Public Policy Offices
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Director of Communications

  • Aug 2001 - Apr 2008

  I joined this high profile public sector body as Corporate Communications Manager, and I was promoted in 2004 to Communications Director responsible for media, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, editing, publishing, websites, social media, corporate and internal communications, conferences, public enquiries and freedom of information. I managed fifty-six staff across two sites (including a high number of home workers) and a budget of over £4 million. I joined this high profile public sector body as Corporate Communications Manager, and I was promoted in 2004 to Communications Director responsible for media, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, editing, publishing, websites, social media, corporate and internal communications, conferences, public enquiries and freedom of information. I managed fifty-six staff across two sites (including a high number of home workers) and a budget of over £4 million.



Fishburn Hedges

• United Kingdom
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Communications Consultant

  • Apr 2000 - Jul 2001

  Working in this public relations consultancy introduced me to the private sector. One key achievement was providing a 24/7 press office service for a private hospital chain. Working in this public relations consultancy introduced me to the private sector. One key achievement was providing a 24/7 press office service for a private hospital chain.



Action for M.E.

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

• Press & Campaigns Manager and Acting Chief Executive

  • Mar 1999 - Mar 2000

  After five months with this patient advocacy charity, I was promoted to Acting Chief Executive. Working closely with trustees, I led our 18 staff through major change and recruited a permanent Chief Executive. After five months with this patient advocacy charity, I was promoted to Acting Chief Executive. Working closely with trustees, I led our 18 staff through major change and recruited a permanent Chief Executive.



Liberal Democrats

• United Kingdom
• Political Organizations
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Communications Officer

  • Jan 1996 - Sep 1998

  My role with party leader Paddy Ashdown MP included organising party political and budget broadcasts, producing the general election manifesto, and running a regional advertising campaign.

• LDYS Communications Officer

  • Jul 1995 - Jan 1996

  I was elected to a one-year sabbatical post to produce a monthly members' newsletter, manage media enquiries about policies, and support the organisation's bi-annual members' conferences.