Experience

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  London Pensions Fund Authority

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Board member (non-executive)

    • Jan 2023 - Present
    • London, United Kingdom

    Scrutinising and holding the executive leadership accountable for the administration and investment performance of this £7.7 billion, 97,000-member Local Government Pension Scheme fund.The scope of scrutiny encompasses the joint venture formed with Lancashire County Council, Local Pensions Partnership and its separate administration and investment subsidiaries.

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  Electrical Safety First

  • Greater London, England, United Kingdom

  • Non-executive director/trustee (unpaid)

    • May 2021 - Present
    • Greater London, England, United Kingdom

    Providing governance oversight and scrutiny of directors and senior officers of this campaigning and policy influencing charity, with the aim of improving the standards and safety of electrical goods. Attend board and committee meetings to discuss, review and agree the charity's overarching strategy, financial performance, communications, policy development and campaigning.

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  London Borough of Camden

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Councillor, Cabinet member for finance and transformation

    • May 2014 - Present
    • London, United Kingdom

    I am a senior councillor with Cabinet responsibility for Camden’s finances, service transformation and digital technology, having previously been in charge of health and adult social care.Working closely with senior executive officers, directors and heads of service, I provide leadership, strategic policy direction and decision-making on £1 billion annual budget and £1 billion capital investment programme. As a member of the council’s political leadership team, I give strategic advice and counsel to the council leader other Cabinet members, and senior council executives to shape strategy policy and communications.In addition to finance, my responsibilities include: strategic policy on digital technology and data use, internally and externally; and customer services, licensing, employee relations, corporate property.Achievements include:• securing balanced budget and stable finances, while cutting spending by £75m• establishing new tri-borough shared digital technology service with Islington and Haringey• developing and launching new strategy for adult social services using ‘strengths-based’ approach.Elected member for Fortune Green ward since May 2014. Previously served as member for Regent's Park ward 1998-2002.

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  The Altitude Consultancy

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Owner

    • Dec 2007 - Sep 2023
    • London, United Kingdom

    A policy, public affairs and communications consultancy, providing high-level, integrated, strategic advice and support to clients on business-critical public policy, regulation and reputation-critical issues. For some clients, we are an extra arm of their corporate communications and public affairs departments, working as a part of the team; for others, we are independent, external advisers to senior executives. We provide a bridge, to help clients to move from where they are to where they want to be, assisting them every step of the way in meeting their objectives – from initial policy preparation, through political analysis and strategy development, to political and stakeholder engagement and media communications.

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  Business Network International

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Secretary, Knightsbridge chapter

    • Sep 2012 - Sep 2013
    • London, United Kingdom

    Responsible for maintaining the organisation, smooth-running and discipline of the Knightsbridge chapter of a worldwide business networking organisation. Facilitating the exchange of business opportunities between members and giving weekly presentations on behalf of my own company, Altitude.

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  Jefferson Communications

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Director

    • Jun 2005 - Dec 2007
    • London, United Kingdom

    Gave high-level strategic advice to senior executives across of a range of private and public sector clients on political, policy and communications.

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  Rt Hon John Reid MP

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Special Adviser

    • Nov 1998 - May 2005
    • London, United Kingdom

    Advised Rt Hon John Reid MP on political, policy and communications issues across six Cabinet posts: Transport, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Labour Party Chairman, Leader of the House of Commons and Health.Worked on the Party HQ general election campaigns of 2001 and 2005.

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  Citigate Public Affairs/Westminster Communications

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Account Director

    • Jan 1996 - Nov 1998
    • London, United Kingdom

    Advised a range of public and private sector clients on policy, public affairs and communications issues.

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  Royal College of Nursing

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Parliamentary Officer

    • Oct 1994 - Jan 1996
    • London, United Kingdom

    Advised senior officers on Parliamentary and political developments.Wrote briefing papers and supporting external communications campaigns.

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  Consumers' Association

  • Parliamentary Officer

    • Apr 1993 - Oct 1994

    Wrote Parliamentary briefing papers on various Consumers' Association campaigns and articles for Which? magazine. Briefed policy researchers and senior officers on Parliamentary and political developments.

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  Brian Wilson MP

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Research assistant

    • Jul 1990 - Apr 1993
    • London, United Kingdom

    Researched on general political issues and in specifically on transport and Scottish affairs and devolution.Drafted press releases and liaised with media.Co-ordinated the then Opposition's campaign against rail privatisation.

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  National Union of Railwaymen

  • Euston, London

  • Industrial Officer

    • Jan 1985 - Oct 1988
    • Euston, London

    Providing briefing support and advice to the union's general secretary, assistant general secretaries and national executive committee on negotiations with British Rail senior management on national pay and conditions, and local and individual grievances.

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  British Rail

  • Stirling, Grangemouth, Edinburgh

  • Guard (freight, then passenger trains)

    • Apr 1982 - Jan 1985
    • Stirling, Grangemouth, Edinburgh

    Responsible for the operation of freight and passenger trains - and making them run on time.