SUBU is a charity and trading company with around 45 salaried staff, 100 student staff, 100s of volunteers, four trading operations in retail and hospitality, and a turnover of c£4.5m.I lead the strategic and operational aspects of the organisation, while providing guidance and support to the sabbatical officers who lead on representational matters. My responsibilities focus on the proper and effective running of the group, including its actions around strategic delivery, governance, finances, employment, reputation, legal standing, and direction of colleagues.

Supporting the chief executive and sabbatical officers through expert guidance and insight to help UCSU remain a strong and effective charity.

The highlight of my time at Solent Students' Union was transforming an underperforming organisation into a healthy and effective charity for its members and staff.Achievements include:• An explosion in student satisfaction rates. In the 2023 National Student Survey (NSS), which measures final-year student satisfaction, Solent Students' Union scored 71%, jumping 19 places nationally and moving from a below average score to in line with benchmark. This coincided with achieving one of the top 25% most-improved scores. This score improved again in 2024, rising a further nine places nationally.• A better place to work. Staff attrition reduced to its lowest point in recent history. During the period 2017-2022, the average length of service was 17 months and a staff member would leave every 19 weeks. This improved to an average of 55 weeks between leavers.• Enhanced influence and impact for members. Through better relationships across the institution, the number of committees and boards to which the Union was invited increased by over 200%.

I oversaw the strategic planning and delivery of charitable and commercial objectives with £700k+ turnover to a student population of 6,500 based at UCA’s four campuses in Surrey and Kent. This required the provision of effective leadership and support to the permanent staff team and guidance to elected officers.Achievements include:• Turning around the financial position of Union from a cumulative £127k deficit during the previous three years (of which a £60k deficit was made in the year prior to my appointment) to operationally break-even in two financial years.• Securing over £65k funding for key activities during the Covid-19 response.• Securing a 15% increase to the block grant.• Creating structural processes throughout the organisation to improve project management and budgeting, which was been successful in professionalising delivery to members and increasing engagement activity.• Diversifying income through the acquisition of campus retail and hospitality units.• Substantially reducing staff turnover through the introduction of a people strategy designed to make UCASU a rewarding place to work. Historically the Union would experience two to three departures per year; this reduced to two in four years.• In a survey of the student population, 85% of respondents stated they trusted UCASU to look out for their interests. Trust and relevance are key components of the strategic plan.June - October 2018 I acted as Interim Chief Executive.

Responsibilities• Overall development and delivery of the organisation’s operations, including marketing and advertising, graphic and digital design, web and social media, events programme, fundraising and sponsorships, finance, and commercial outlets across four campuses in Surrey and Kent.• Managing a team of four full-time and two part-time staff members, and student volunteers.• Increasing revenue to fund the charity’s mission and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities• Ensured the work of the charity was communicated in a compelling and timely manner to members and key stakeholders through the most appropriate medium.• Maintained, developed, and structured the organisation’s website, including troubleshooting and editing or writing code where necessary.• Handled all graphic design across digital and print media, and video production for use online.• Be part of the event planning process throughout the academic year, and lead on the marketing for weekly and major events, supporting the financial objectives for the organisation.

Since going freelance in 2007 I have provided high-quality photography for national and international brands, frequently with instant or same-day turnaround. My portfolio is based in music performance, but also includes major corporate clients and studio-based work.My design work can be found across the higher education, local government, and arts charity sectors.Responsibilities• Generating new business and serving a range of needs for existing clients.• Consulting on campaigns, fulfilling client briefs to deliver high-impact, high-quality creative collateral.• All business-related administration and marketing.

Working primarily for Capital, Heart, XFM/RadioX, and Classic FM brands, I covered live music, recorded sessions, and artist portraiture. This included some of the biggest names in entertainment such as Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber, at festivals, stadia, and areas around the country. I eventually rose to become one of the principal photographers for brand events such as Capital's Summertime Ball and Jingle Bell Ball.

Responsibilities• Planning and management of all tour-related activities, from travel routes to accommodation.• Liaison with venues, crews, suppliers and staff.

Responsibilities• Oversaw the development and production of a comprehensive student media offering, using new and traditional platforms. • Managed a team of volunteers, which at its peak involved over 300 students.

Working within a team of around 30 to mentor 700 pre-university students every summer.