With partner, Jan Visser, we transformed a lightship (a stunning fireman red ship with a lighthouse on top) into a live music venue, restaurant & pub. Over the last 7 years we have built the turnover up from €300k to €1 million (in 2019). Over the years we have systematically focussed on professionalising every aspect of the ship's business, whether it be management training or investing in back office systems.Aside from guiding the strategic direction of the ship along with my parter, my specific role in the business is to manage the personnel and financial aspects. 2020's COVID-19 crisis has been a challenge on both these fonts, but we have found solutions to ensure the business will survive despite being closed down by the Dutch government for 6 months.I am also the managing director of Stichting Vessel 11, the non-profit foundation that directs the live music programme on the ship. In normal years we put on around 100 shows a year in the alternative pop genre as well as comedy nights and other cultural performances. For the past 5 years Stichting Vessel 11 has been awarded ever increasing subsidies from the Department of Art and Culture. I am responsible for the strategic direction, the financial management, fund raising and personnel management, as well as servicing the board of directors.

Adviser to the UK Executive Director's of the World Bank and IMF on a range of policy issues including fragile states, health, education, social policy, the results agenda and Africa-wide policy.Evaluated World Bank and IMF programmes in Africa and prepared briefing for the World Bank and IMF Executive Board discussions. Regularly represented the UK at the World Bank and IMF Board meetings.Devised the operational strategy for the UK Executive Directors office in the World Bank. The plan was approved by the Secretary of State for International Development.

Established a fully devolved DFID office in Kinshasa, with a staff of 32. Managed the design phase of a $3 million building. Put in place all DFID’s human resources and financial management systems.Oversaw the design and implementation of a rising conflict-sensitive transitional programme of $45 million focussing on humanitarian assistance, support for elections, conflict resolution (including working with the military), health and education.Liaised with Congolese Government Ministers and officials and other Aid Agencies to develop and implement a Country Strategy and worked with the international community and government to coordinate and integrate development assistance programmes.Jointly led (with UNDP) the donor coordination group supporting the drafting of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, completed in December 2005.

Carried out a major reorganization of DFID’s policy division so that it became interdisciplinary and responsive, changing it from a division with six separate departments, to a single system of multi-disciplinary teams which were objective driven and would dissolve once a specific piece of policy work had been delivered.

One of two private secretaries to the Secretary of State for International Development covering the full range of issues facing her, both political and development-related. These ranged from multilateral negotiations on IDA and debt relief, to issues related to specific country programmes and policy, such as budget support in conflict countries.