Resources & consumption theme lead (voluntary)

• Jul 2020 - Present

Reading Climate Change Partnership/Reading Climate Action Network is responsible for Reading Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. Third strategy launched in November 2020. Role as Resources & consumption theme lead is to finalise and lead delivery of the Resources and consumption strand of Reading's Climate Emergency Strategy and Action Plan for the next five years. Mix of engaging, enthusing, storytelling and progress chasing. Want to develop the theme in ways that enthuses individuals, groups and organisations to increase ambition and align activities, encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration in the process. Show less

Caretaker and facilities coordinator

• Jun 2017 - Present

Dolphin School is a 200 pupil co-educational independent schools near Reading, 3 - 13 years. General caretaking with a few additional responsibilities aimed at helping the school review its approach to facilities coordination. Learning lots about the opportunities and challenges of taking a holistic approach to sustainability in a school. Although I cannot take all the credit, am proud that the school is now talking about the importance of zero-carbon in new buildings, commissioning advice on how to reduce its carbon footprint across existing buildings, is considering signing up to become an Eco-school and has made leadership for sustainability a consideration in selecting its next Head of Geography. Show less

Volunteer

• Oct 2015 - Oct 2021

A hub (currently mostly in the cloud) for individuals and groups working towards a more sustainable Reading on the ground. We connect and collaborate wherever we can. Led or supported projects to develop a 'pop-up' exhibition in Reading Museum (Resourceful Reading), revamp the web site and Facebook page, champion Refill and refilling in Reading. Recently been exploring use of Zoom to encourage roundtable conversations amongst sustainability groups about how to better work together to #buildbackbetter. Currently exploring how we can work as a group to support development and delivery of the Resources & Consumption theme of Reading's Climate Emergency Strategy. Show less

Senior consultant

• May 2012 - Aug 2015

Whilst my main role was to support delivery of NANM's contract with Local Trust (to develop and deliver an annual programme of networking and learning activities for residents involved in Big Local), as a member of the Shared Intelligence staff team I also worked on a variety of consultancy projects, including: - researching and writing an umbrella literature review on regulation, audit and inspection in Wales to inform subsequent fieldwork - carrying out telephone and fact to face interviews with Town and Parish Clerks as part of a review of reviewing a County Council's pilot to devolve elements of its highways budget (to inform whether and how to extend devolution to other local councils and/or which services to devolve) - helping organise a series of consultative workshops to feed into development of a Growth Boroughs skills strategy to inform future collaborative working across the boroughs, including writing up findings. Show less

Programme manager

• May 2012 - Aug 2015

Primary role was to manage the development and take part in the delivery of an annual programme of networking and learning activities for residents involved in the Big Lottery funded Big Local, including establishing a structured approach to event planning that actively promotes collaboration. In the last few months we also piloted the use of online meetings and webinars as ways to both widen participation and increase the range of opportunities for Big Local residents to share their own experience as well as engage with learning from beyond the Big Local programme. In addition, I cleaned the mailing list used for NANM eNewsletter mailings and transferred it to MailChimp as well as rebuilding the NANM Wordpress web site theme in the Genesis theme framework. Both as part of creating a simplified platform for NANM network communications. Show less

Skills advisor

• Sep 2003 - Feb 2011

CABE was the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space, providing information, advice and encouragement to communities, local authorities professionals working to create better buildings and places. As one of two skills advisors within a dedicated team managed contracts for the delivery of specific skills projects, advised colleagues on approaches and options in developing learning activities within their broader programmes as well as worked with external partners to gather intelligence and influence wider agendas. In addition, between May 2006 and March 2008 acted as Head of skills to cover for the post holder’s secondment to a development role in another organisation. Key achievements? - Managed a staff team of three and annual programme budget of c£230,000, complemented by up to £190,000 annual income from delegate fees and sponsorship (as Acting head of skills, 2006 - 2008) - Oversaw the appointment of a delivery partner, development and then launch the 'CABE Space leaders programme'. During its five years, this 3.5 day residential programme attracted a total of 421 delegates and achieved consistently high satisfaction ratings (http://www.cabe.org.uk/public-space/leaders) - Managed contracted research into 'Minority ethnic representation in the built environment professions', the outcomes of which have been influential in developing thinking within and beyond CABE (research undertaken by Royal Holloway/Equalities Research and Consulting Ltd) Show less

Adult Learning Plan Project Manager

• May 2000 - Sep 2003

The City Council delivered its adult and community learning programme through contracts with a range of community schools, colleges and voluntary sector organisations. Planning, development and funding were managed by a small team in the City Council led by its Lifelong learning policy officer. The City Council delivered its adult and community learning programme through contracts with a range of community schools, colleges and voluntary sector organisations. Planning, development and funding were managed by a small team in the City Council led by its Lifelong learning policy officer.

Porter

• Oct 1999 - Apr 2000

Having proved reliable on the Boat Show, I was invited by Rentokil Initial to consider other assignments and joined the Portering team at University of Southampton. My role was a mix of general portering and driving the vans. Although tough getting there from the Isle of Wight, enjoyed working with the people on the team. Having proved reliable on the Boat Show, I was invited by Rentokil Initial to consider other assignments and joined the Portering team at University of Southampton. My role was a mix of general portering and driving the vans. Although tough getting there from the Isle of Wight, enjoyed working with the people on the team.

Southampton Boat Show Security

• Sep 1999 - Sep 1999

Signed up to work on the Boat Show in Southampton as fill-in whilst job hunting (having moved temporarily to the Isle of Wight). Applied for the job partly because I was getting a bit bored of job hunting, but also because I fancied working on a Boat Show! Signed up to work on the Boat Show in Southampton as fill-in whilst job hunting (having moved temporarily to the Isle of Wight). Applied for the job partly because I was getting a bit bored of job hunting, but also because I fancied working on a Boat Show!

Assistant Co-ordinator, TLTP National Co-ordination Team

• Apr 1997 - Feb 1999

The TLTP coordination team was responsible for monitoring projects funded through the three phases of the higher education funding bodies' Teaching and Learning Technology Programme. Alongside monitoring progress, the team also published reports and organised events to promote the sharing of good practice between projects as well as to disseminate learning beyond the programme. [Functions of the team were merged with those of an equivalent team coordinating the Fund for the Development of Teaching and Learning, FDTL, based at the Open University in Milton Keynes] Show less

Careers advisor

• Apr 1991 - Apr 1997

Training advisor

• Apr 1987 - Apr 1991

Training officer

• Jan 1986 - Jan 1987

Office volunteer

• Sep 1985 - Jan 1986

Student placement, Quantity surveying

• Jul 1983 - Jul 1984

School Office Assistant

• Jul 1981 - Sep 1981

Full-time volunteer

• May 1981 - Jul 1981

Office junior

• Jan 1981 - May 1981

School Office Assistant

• Nov 1980 - Dec 1980

Office junior

• Sep 1980 - Nov 1980