Experience

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  African Circular Economy Network

  • Cape Town

  • Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor

    • Jun 2016 - Present
    • Cape Town

    The African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) is a registered Non-Profit Organisation in South Africa (195-590 NPO). Our vision is to build a restorative African economy that generates well-being and prosperity inclusive of all its people through new forms of economic production and consumption which maintain and regenerate its environmental resources. We do this through:ResearchThe research activities of the ACEN will investigate issues, document findings relevant for the African context and its needs. Researchers will be drawn from ACEN members, academics and other stakeholder partners across Africa, but also Europe, Asia or America where needed.Training and AwarenessThe priority of ACEN is to raise awareness and undertake training amongst key sectors of the African economy: public (government, educational institutions), private (corporates & SMEs), and civil society (non-governmental organisations) to promote the concept, benefits, principles and practice of the Circular Economy.Networking and EventsACEN believes that solutions to current challenges require inter-disciplinary skills, multiple stakeholder involvement and regional, African as well as international partnerships. ACEN therefore aims to create platforms where specialists can collaborate to exchange ideas, experiences and solutions. We have hosted several stakeholder engagements to date to enable a global reach. We have had members join the discussion from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (UK), Pavia University (Italy), the South African/European Union Partnership (South Africa), the World Economic Forum (Switzerland) and Green Alliance (UK) to name a few international participants.Knowledge SharingACEN currently disseminates and shares knowledge about the circular economy through LinkedIn and Facebook, and in the future, will also use other online channels to develop a strong base of knowledge and information and extend its reach throughout Africa.

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  Growth International (UK)

  • Brighton, United Kingdom

  • Managing Director

    • Dec 1991 - Jan 2023
    • Brighton, United Kingdom

    Growth International has a focus on the circular economy as a means of living within our planetary boundaries and creating a just and prosperous society. We work in Europe and Africa with business, academia and local governments.

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  SOcial, ENvironmental & EConomic Solutions (SOENECS) Ltd

  • Burgess Hill, West Sussex

  • Associate

    • Aug 2019 - Dec 2022
    • Burgess Hill, West Sussex

    SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL & ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS (SOENECS) Ltd is an independent research and innovation practice set up in June 2014, by its managing director, Dr David Greenfield. SOENECS provides strategic advice and support to the public and private sectors and specialises in the fields of waste management, resource management, climate change, circular economy, renewable deployment, carbon management and partnership delivery. SOENECS has worked with and advised private sector companies, venture capitalists, central, regional and local government. The staff at SOENECS have over 20 years' experience in the public sector and are able to bring a wealth of experience at local, regional and national government level.

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  The Climate Reality Project

  • Brighton, United Kingdom

  • Climate Reality Leader

    • Mar 2019 - Dec 2022
    • Brighton, United Kingdom

    Climate Reality Leadership Corps is made up of individuals ready to make a difference in our planet’s future. I spent three days in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, working with former Vice President Al Gore and world-renowned scientists and communicators learning about the climate crisis and how together we can solve it. The training provided me with the skills, knowledge, and network to shape public opinion, influence policy, and inspire my community to act at this critical time.

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  Circular Brighton and Hove

  • Brighton, United Kingdom

  • Co-Founder

    • Sep 2018 - Dec 2022
    • Brighton, United Kingdom

    Circular Brighton & Hove (CBH) is a multi-stakeholder network of individuals, SME’s, social enterprises, universities, faith groups, third sector organisations and companies. We have a diverse set of skills, experiences and contacts in local government, business, academia and society, living in the Greater Brighton Region. We are united by a common belief that the Circular Economy can have a positive impact, not only on the environment, but also on our society (by reducing poverty and strengthening communities) and our economy (by increasing resilience and supporting business). Circular Brighton & Hove is a collaboration between two Brighton & Hove initiatives: Eco-Dinner Club and Circular Economy Club.

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  Re-think Solutions Ltd

  • Brighton, United Kingdom

  • Strategic Advisor, Circular Economy

    • Feb 2018 - Dec 2022
    • Brighton, United Kingdom

    At Rethink Global I am a Strategic Advisor, Circular Economy. We focus on the circular economy and other sustainable approaches, providing tailored support for business, social enterprise, community and public sector organisations. To learn more about my work here, Catherine and I have a conversation in Episode 45 of the Circular Economy Podcast: www.rethinkglobal.info

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  Circular Economy Club

  • Brighton, United Kingdom

  • Circular Economy Mentor and City Organiser

    • Jun 2017 - Dec 2022
    • Brighton, United Kingdom

    As a Circular Economy Mentor at the Circular Economy Club (CEC) I support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in their transition towards a circular economy through coaching and sharing knowledge. As the CEC Local Organiser for Brighton & Hove, I am working with a wide range of stakeholders to support the city in its transition towards a circular city.

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  Tomorrow's Company

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

  • Senior Advisor - Tomorrow's Inclusive Development

    • Sep 2014 - Dec 2022

    - There is an urgent need to re-imagine and re-think how to tackle global poverty.- While there is a growth in cross-sector partnerships and collaboration, and some progress is being made, present structures, policies and efforts to combat global poverty are failing to make sufficient progress. - Differences and ‘telling’ each other how to act rather than common interests and shared purposes continue to be emphasised. - There is opportunity to move beyond the traditional terms of engagement across all sectors, opportunity for new thinking and new action across all sectors.- Transforming global international development and poverty reduction requires that all participants work together across organisations within sectors and across sectors in an inclusive way. - Each sector has much to offer the other: no one sector can succeed alone. - There needs to be a new dialogue and a new architecture for collaboration between companies, development NGOs and governments to bring about the needed systemic change at the pace and scale demanded by the urgency of global poverty.- And a need to move from ‘today’s development’ to ‘tomorrow’s inclusive development’. - This involves moving quicker, learning quicker, adapting faster and joining together to realise the potential of 'inclusive development' to transform the scale, speed and effectiveness of a collective response to global poverty.

  • Ambassador

    • Sep 1997 - Sep 2014

    Promoting the work of Tomorrow's Company to businesses and community groups.

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  Vision for a Nation Foundation

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Interim Chief Financial Officer

    • Jun 2014 - Dec 2017
    • London, United Kingdom

    Vision for a Nation provides access to vision assessments, affordable glasses and a referral system at local health centre level in Rwanda. This interim assignment will provide financial management and administration support to the management team in the UK and the programme team in Rwanda.

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  Hemsley Fraser

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Associate Trainer

    • 2004 - Jul 2016
    • London, United Kingdom

    I was an Associate Trainer at Hemsley Fraser running a 2-day management training programme (both open and in-house) on the Balanced Scorecard which I have run in the UK, Guernsey and Ghana. I adopt a very practical approach so that delegates take away with them a scorecard and strategy map to assist them in communicating strategy in their own organisation.

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  GrowthAccelerator

  • South East England

  • Growth Coach

    • Dec 2013 - Feb 2016
    • South East England

    A registered and approved Growth Coach for GrowthAccelerator helping ambitious businesses achieve rapid and sustainable growth by providing tailored expert advice. More information is available at www.growthacceleartor,com

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  The African Pulse

  • London and Cape Town

  • Trustee

    • 2004 - Feb 2016
    • London and Cape Town

    Chair of board of trustees of a UK-registered charity developing and delivering HIV & AIDS education programmes in Southern Africa

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  RedR

  • London

  • Interim Finance Director

    • Apr 2013 - Nov 2013
    • London

    Responsible for Finance, IT and Facilities team as part of the Senior Management Team of 4 other departmental directors and the CEO.

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  Tearfund

  • Teddington, London

  • Interim Finance Director

    • Nov 2010 - Sep 2011
    • Teddington, London

    Key responsibilities: leading team of 15 people; member of Senior Management Team; all matters finance; support of front-line staff;Activities / Achievements: integration of finance teams to support operational staff; improved forecasting; new format for annual report; mentoring colleagues.

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  N1 Creative

  • London

  • Head of Finance (part-time)

    • Oct 2007 - Nov 2010
    • London

    Responsibilities: cash flow, strategic planning, forecasting systems, mentoring Financial Controller.Achievements: Managed 3 periods of cashflow challenges; with MD rationalised the organisation and developed strategy; installed finance systems and forecasting procedures.

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  Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Member of the Corporate Responsibility Committee

    • 2007 - 2010
    • London, United Kingdom

    Supported the Committee to develop strategies and resources for members to access and relay to their clients.

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  Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

  • London

  • Acting Head of Corporate Planning and Resources

    • Mar 2005 - Sep 2005
    • London

    Key responsibilities: Managing a team of 15 people covering Finance, HR, IT and Facilities.Achievements: year-end accounts, compilation of budgets and forecasts, selection and implementation of new accounting system.

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  Business Link London City Partners

  • London

  • Acting Head of Finance

    • 1998 - 2001
    • London

    Responsibilities: leading a Team of 10 people in Finance, Quality and IT; member of the Senior Management Team, attended board meetings.Achievements: Financial management, year-end forecasting, business planning, management information project,

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  Arcadia Group Ltd

  • London

  • Financial Controller

    • 1988 - 1991
    • London

    Responsible for planning and forecasting for Burton Retail, Champion Sport, and Top Shop / Top Man.

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  COOPER ESTATES LIMITED

  • Finance Director

    • 1986 - 1988

    Production of monthly management and annual statutory consolidated accounts. Investment appraisal for new additions to the property portfolio. Trouble shooting issues with overseas investments.

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  Mitchell Cotts

  • Johannesburg

  • Finance Director

    • 1983 - 1986
    • Johannesburg

    Initially Group Finance Controller responsible for consolidation of group results and communication to the UK holding company. Promoted to Finance Director of Freight Division.

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  Price Waterhouse

  • Audit Manager

    • 1978 - 1984

    Managing teams of up to 10 staff on audit and special assignments; training students towards accountancy qualifications; investigations and acquisitions.