I bring a unique combination of skills to any project or organisation: thinking analytically (what are we trying to achieve?), thinking creatively (how best can we achieve it?), and thinking practically (how will we get there?). When needed I bring together and manage ad-hoc teams of highly experienced designers, developers, film-makers and other creative professionals.I divide my work into three areas:Strategic analysis and advice/planning:I identify the key challenges facing a project, business or organisation, and propose strategic and creative solutions to address them. This can be specifically related to digital media or communications, or broader strategy and development.Digital solutions:I design and develop websites, mobile apps and other online tools. I work with clients to identify what is needed and why, then assemble and manage a team to design and deliver the product. I specialise in taking difficult concepts and creating intuitive, engaging user experiences.Idea-lab:I work collaboratively to develop ideas into viable products, from web apps and platforms to innovative storytelling and campaigning concepts.

Brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007, The Elders is an independent group of former heads of state and Nobel Laureates - including Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu and Kofi Annan - who work together for peace, justice and human rights worldwide. As part of a small team supporting The Elders' mission, I managed all aspects of digital communications. I joined early in the organisation’s development and built a strong digital capacity, developing the website and digital team, growing our online audience, and increasing impact year by year. My team delivered innovative, consistently high-quality content across a diverse range of issues and platforms, from a sustainable development-themed web chat on Chinese micro-blogging platform Sina Weibo, to video blogs about the search for victims of communal killings in Cyprus. Showing initiative and leadership on strategic communication and organisational issues, I was recognised as a strong manager and team player. I played a critical role in building an ethic of inclusive teamwork, in successful recruitment, and in the professional development of staff. I built and managed multiple relationships, external and internal, that benefitted the organisation: from Elders and their staff, to colleagues and contractors, academics and activists.Responsible for a six-figure budget, I was commended on my effective management of contractors to get the best value for money. I delivered multiple technical projects, including a full website redevelopment, and played a key role in developing an organisational database and IT infrastructure. By championing the potential of digital to contribute to strategic goals - delivering presentations to Elders and donors, leading social media workshops with policy staff and senior management - and continually seeking to learn, improve and try new tools and ideas, I succeeded in making our web and social media channels a cornerstone of The Elders' communication and advocacy.

ActionAid International co-ordinates the organisation’s work against poverty in over 40 countries. As an independent contractor based in New Delhi, with periodic assignments throughout the region, I was responsible for the strategic development and strengthening of digital communications capacity for ActionAid’s affiliates and country programmes across Asia. Implementing the roll out, testing and development of a new microsite Content Management System, I managed the content creation and build of websites in six countries; India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia and China. I also provided technical, creative and communications training to national programme staff, and advised on how to develop and utilise this growing online presence, including in response to emergency situations.Working with the international media and images teams, I collected and produced written and visual content to communicate the impact of ActionAid’s work on the ground, visiting various projects throughout Asia, as well as covering international advocacy efforts such as the G8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan. Over my eighteen month tenure I built solid, on the ground knowledge of development issues, activism and advocacy at both local and global levels. Developing an ability to quickly perceive and grasp complex social, cultural and political contexts, I was able to assess, understand, and adapt to staff and communication needs in each country, and tailor training and content accordingly. Faced with the challenges and ethics of collecting stories and photos in the field, I learned how to deal sensitively and appropriately with subjects and people, and to deliver effective communications in various geographical and social contexts. I also acquired invaluable experience regarding the applications, opportunities, and limitations for digital tools and technology in these environments.

ActionAid is an international NGO working to fight poverty and injustice worldwide. Working with the UK communications and publications team, I supported the Web and E-comms Manager with day-to-day running of the website and digital communications, including content creation, campaigning, email and fundraising activities. Responsible for creating and publishing all content on the AAUK website, I managed the site update schedule, delivering content plans to support organisational priorities and goals. I collaborated with key staff in the planning and preparation of material to go online, and provided creative, editorial and technical support where needed. Building on the skills developed in previous editorial roles, I created compelling digital content from complex information and on sensitive topics. Understanding the value of building partnerships and consensus within an organisation, I successfully promoted the benefits of digital communications to colleagues, and gained their increased involvement and investment in developing website content. Acquiring new insight and knowledge of global development issues, working at ActionAid gave me solid experience and understanding of the role of communications, campaigning and advocacy within the sector, and the potential opportunities for (as well as institutional barriers preventing) the effective use of digital tools and platforms as part of this. From the ‘Who Pays?’ Supermarket campaign to the development and launch of ‘MyActionAid’ - a social fundraising platform - I also benefitted from involvement with projects that successfully explored this potential.

During the 2006 series the Big Brother website attracted over 5 million unique visitors every day. As the Editor of a rolling news service to web, mobile, and interactive TV platforms, I managed a multidisciplinary team of writers, sub-editors, video and photo editors, producing news stories, photo stories, videos and SMS updates, and was responsible for the creative direction and editorial quality of all digital content. Building on my experience of working on the show in 2005, I developed a strong team ethic and identity, embodied by high morale and collective pride in the quality, consistency and success of the team’s output, balancing an atmosphere of irreverence and humour (appropriate in the context) with dedication and professionalism. This was especially valuable given the trying environment created by an extended, gruelling shifts schedule.For ‘The Match’, I managed the same team on location at Newcastle United FC’s Academy, additionally producing short videos for broadcast, overseeing interactive voting during the live show, running competitions and publishing newsletters on a daily basis.

Which? is the largest consumer body in the UK, with over 600,000 members receiving its monthly magazine and over 250,000 online subscribers.Gaining first-hand experience of the challenges of managing large-scale content migration projects, I worked as part of a team transferring all website content - thousands of product reviews, advice and other articles - to a new Content Management System, as part of the launch of a new website. Responsibilities included rebuilding and revising pages to conform to new templates, re-writing and editing articles where applicable, checking for accuracy, and tracking progress.

In 2005 Big Brother was one of the most-watched shows on UK TV, with viewing figures of over four million per episode. I worked on the ever-eventful night shift, managing a small team producing up-to-the-minute news stories, images and video for the website and Channel 4 mobile portal.As Editor I was responsible for ensuring content was fresh, entertaining, humorous, and risqué, while meeting guidelines for house style and tone, and reflecting fairly interactions and events in The Big Brother House. The high public-profile of the show, along with its history of courting controversy, required my being acutely aware of potential legal issues (we published video content 24 hours ahead of the edited TV show); acceptable broadcasting/web standards; the current (tabloid) news-cycle; and to continually consider the welfare and public representation of the housemates.The role really developed my understanding of editorial influence and responsibility - even in a purely entertainment-driven environment - as well as teaching me how to tease a snappy, clickable headline out of even the most mundane content!

Leading a team of six sub-editors producing TV features and listings for several major UK newspapers, I was responsible for the quality, consistency and accuracy of work delivered, organising team resources effectively, and ensuring all deadlines were met. My responsibilities also included liaising with feature writers, picture editors, and the training and development of staff.The role honed my team leadership skills, from the effective management of staff and production processes, to keeping the team focused, motivated, and efficient while maintaining a high standard of output.

BBC Worldwide is the commercial arm of the BBC. Working as part of an efficient, deadline-focused production team, I was responsible for the layout and sub-editing of TV listings pages and entertainment features for various national media publications. I developed sharp editing skills, a keen eye for detail, and learned how to work effectively as part of a team in a pressured environment.

‘FlyCasual’ was the business umbrella for a multi-disciplined creative collective, from musicians and DJs to designers and animators, pooling their efforts in two enterprises: - An independent record label: with an innovative outlook, a DIY ethic and an emphasis on creative freedom, releasing the music of members and showcasing the work of the designers. - A design studio: providing web and print design services, from stylish websites for high-profile clients to posters and branding for local businesses and promoters. As a co-founder, director, and active member, my role was incredibly varied. I became adept at building and managing professional and creative relationships, dealing with clients, suppliers, designers, musicians, journalists, promoters and DJs. Developing strong organisational and logistical skills, I acquired, equipped, and managed the FlyCasual offices, as well as leading on the planning, budgeting, manufacture and distribution of music releases, and associated PR campaigns and live events.Heading the design and build of a website for Glassworks Ltd, one of London's leading post production agencies, I rapidly improved my design and technical skills while building project management expertise; working with a team from visual concepts through to technical solutions, and managing the client relationship and budget.A fun and fulfilling experience, it was also a steep learning curve, where I gained invaluable, sometimes painful, experience of the challenges of running a co-operative, creatively-focused business. While enjoying early critical and commercial success, both projects eventually came to an end as members moved on to new challenges.

Glassworks is a high-end post-production facility supplying digital animation and visual effects expertise, from award-winning commercials to film, promos and digital material. As anybody who has been a runner knows, the role covers almost anything; supporting the creatives, producers, administrative staff and clients in whatever way is needed, for whatever hours are needed. My time at Glassworks taught me a great deal about what is required to deliver cutting-edge creative projects to demanding deadlines. Faced with limited opportunities for promotion, I successfully pitched to the Managing Director to design and build a new company website, resigning my position to pursue the opportunity.