Experience

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Deputy Chief Executive - Place

  • Jun 2021 - Present

• Acting Deputy Chief Executive - Place

  • Apr 2020 - Jun 2021

• Head of Development and Regeneration

  • Feb 2018 - Apr 2020

• Economic Development Manager

  • Mar 2010 - Feb 2018

  As a member of the councils' strategic management team, reporting direct to the chief executive, I have responsibility for major projects that have a significant corporate and political involvement across two district councils in one of the most active economic areas in the UK. My key areas of responsibility include economic development, strategic property, regeneration, town centre management, town partnerships, tourism and EU grants. Current projects and achievements… Show more As a member of the councils' strategic management team, reporting direct to the chief executive, I have responsibility for major projects that have a significant corporate and political involvement across two district councils in one of the most active economic areas in the UK. My key areas of responsibility include economic development, strategic property, regeneration, town centre management, town partnerships, tourism and EU grants. Current projects and achievements include: - Managing major redevelopment projects in town and urban centres of Abingdon-on-Thames, Henley-on-Thames and Botley involving council owned land, working with development partners, strategic advisors, legal advisors and local stakeholders - Leading major project on office headquarters and innovative partner arrangements with other public sector bodies - Developed and implementing a business and innovation strategy and associated business communications strategy to fundamentally change the interaction between the councils and business in order to support and encourage economic growth, developed stand-alone business brands for each local authority Vale4Business and SO Business to promote the districts as the place to do business - Leading and advising elected members on the councils' investment in superfast broadband as part of the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire programme for businesses and communities - Leading relationships with over 14,000 businesses in southern Oxfordshire, working alongside OxLEP, FSB, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and other business groups - Working closely with the business community to understand their needs and concerns, particularly in relation to planning, housing and infrastructure and managing that relationship with internal and external colleagues and partners.



South Oxfordshire District Council

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Economic Development Manager

  • Nov 2007 - Mar 2010

  Established a new economic development team for the district council raising the importance of building the local economy, bringing together team of economic development, tourism, town centre management and strategic property professionals. -Developed and implemented business case for creation of market town co-ordinators for three market towns -Oversaw the completion of extensive strategic property review of council’s non-operational and investment portfolios -Successfully… Show more Established a new economic development team for the district council raising the importance of building the local economy, bringing together team of economic development, tourism, town centre management and strategic property professionals. -Developed and implemented business case for creation of market town co-ordinators for three market towns -Oversaw the completion of extensive strategic property review of council’s non-operational and investment portfolios -Successfully bid for £1.89 million LEADER funding for Southern Oxfordshire. Show less Established a new economic development team for the district council raising the importance of building the local economy, bringing together team of economic development, tourism, town centre management and strategic property professionals. -Developed and implemented business case for creation of market town co-ordinators for three market towns -Oversaw the completion of extensive strategic property review of council’s non-operational and investment portfolios -Successfully… Show more Established a new economic development team for the district council raising the importance of building the local economy, bringing together team of economic development, tourism, town centre management and strategic property professionals. -Developed and implemented business case for creation of market town co-ordinators for three market towns -Oversaw the completion of extensive strategic property review of council’s non-operational and investment portfolios -Successfully bid for £1.89 million LEADER funding for Southern Oxfordshire. Show less



Oxford City Council

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Tourism Officer

  • May 2004 - Nov 2007

  Lead contact for tourism in Oxford, responsible for the strategic development and management of the tourism product in a global profile city attracting over 8 million visitors per annum. Daily interaction with tourism-related businesses, other local authorities, national tourism partnerships, key business figures and key Oxford commercial enterprises (e.g. BMW Mini, Oxford Airport, University of Oxford etc), County Council officers, external agencies (SEEDA, VisitBritain, TSE etc) local and… Show more Lead contact for tourism in Oxford, responsible for the strategic development and management of the tourism product in a global profile city attracting over 8 million visitors per annum. Daily interaction with tourism-related businesses, other local authorities, national tourism partnerships, key business figures and key Oxford commercial enterprises (e.g. BMW Mini, Oxford Airport, University of Oxford etc), County Council officers, external agencies (SEEDA, VisitBritain, TSE etc) local and national media (newspapers, radio and TV). Provided evidence to government tourism select committee. - Set-up “Destination Oxford” – first central conference desk for county, recognised in the UK as an innovative development by BACD and MIMA - Implemented Residents Survey and promotion activity to improve local perception of tourism - Expanded and developed Oxford Marketing Group, tourism forum - Lead redevelopment of official tourism website www.visitoxford.org - Lead a branding exercise to make Oxford key place to visit, live and work in partnership with Universities, local business and other agencies - Input to national legislation and procedures relating to tourism and economic development driven by UK government, SEEDA, VisitBritain, Tourism South East and internal policies of Oxford City Council. Show less Lead contact for tourism in Oxford, responsible for the strategic development and management of the tourism product in a global profile city attracting over 8 million visitors per annum. Daily interaction with tourism-related businesses, other local authorities, national tourism partnerships, key business figures and key Oxford commercial enterprises (e.g. BMW Mini, Oxford Airport, University of Oxford etc), County Council officers, external agencies (SEEDA, VisitBritain, TSE etc) local and… Show more Lead contact for tourism in Oxford, responsible for the strategic development and management of the tourism product in a global profile city attracting over 8 million visitors per annum. Daily interaction with tourism-related businesses, other local authorities, national tourism partnerships, key business figures and key Oxford commercial enterprises (e.g. BMW Mini, Oxford Airport, University of Oxford etc), County Council officers, external agencies (SEEDA, VisitBritain, TSE etc) local and national media (newspapers, radio and TV). Provided evidence to government tourism select committee. - Set-up “Destination Oxford” – first central conference desk for county, recognised in the UK as an innovative development by BACD and MIMA - Implemented Residents Survey and promotion activity to improve local perception of tourism - Expanded and developed Oxford Marketing Group, tourism forum - Lead redevelopment of official tourism website www.visitoxford.org - Lead a branding exercise to make Oxford key place to visit, live and work in partnership with Universities, local business and other agencies - Input to national legislation and procedures relating to tourism and economic development driven by UK government, SEEDA, VisitBritain, Tourism South East and internal policies of Oxford City Council. Show less



The City of Edinburgh Council

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Economic Development Officer

  • Apr 2001 - May 2004

  Responsible for management and delivery of economic strategy, analysis and primary research to ensure the delivery of the council’s economic policy objectives and priorities. Preparing a wide range of briefing papers for elected members and external organisations, including presentations to third parties. Key tasks include supervising research studies and preparing briefs for external consultants. Undertaking primary research including development of new innovative projects to ensure delivery… Show more Responsible for management and delivery of economic strategy, analysis and primary research to ensure the delivery of the council’s economic policy objectives and priorities. Preparing a wide range of briefing papers for elected members and external organisations, including presentations to third parties. Key tasks include supervising research studies and preparing briefs for external consultants. Undertaking primary research including development of new innovative projects to ensure delivery of the Council’s economic policy objectives and priorities. - Project management of an innovative strategic project developing a series of scenarios for Edinburgh City Region in liaison with partners and high level steering group - Primary research to understand the views of high-level individuals within Edinburgh’s key sectors into the issues relating to maintaining a buoyant economy - Input into the Structure Plan review and Cities Review policy documents - Supervision of consultants undertaking a monitoring and evaluation study of the Edinburgh Urban Villages programme - Liaison with the Edinburgh and Lothian Local Economic Forum and participation on the Local Economic Intelligence Task Group. Show less Responsible for management and delivery of economic strategy, analysis and primary research to ensure the delivery of the council’s economic policy objectives and priorities. Preparing a wide range of briefing papers for elected members and external organisations, including presentations to third parties. Key tasks include supervising research studies and preparing briefs for external consultants. Undertaking primary research including development of new innovative projects to ensure delivery… Show more Responsible for management and delivery of economic strategy, analysis and primary research to ensure the delivery of the council’s economic policy objectives and priorities. Preparing a wide range of briefing papers for elected members and external organisations, including presentations to third parties. Key tasks include supervising research studies and preparing briefs for external consultants. Undertaking primary research including development of new innovative projects to ensure delivery of the Council’s economic policy objectives and priorities. - Project management of an innovative strategic project developing a series of scenarios for Edinburgh City Region in liaison with partners and high level steering group - Primary research to understand the views of high-level individuals within Edinburgh’s key sectors into the issues relating to maintaining a buoyant economy - Input into the Structure Plan review and Cities Review policy documents - Supervision of consultants undertaking a monitoring and evaluation study of the Edinburgh Urban Villages programme - Liaison with the Edinburgh and Lothian Local Economic Forum and participation on the Local Economic Intelligence Task Group. Show less



Midlothian Council

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Project Support Officer

  • May 1998 - Apr 2001



Argyll and Bute Council

• United Kingdom
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Technical Support Officer

  • Dec 1996 - May 1998