As a Senior Innovation Lead I build alignment across Plexal's portfolio of programmes (including Cyber Runway, NCSC, Digital Growth Grant programmes, HMGCC Accelerator and more), defining the strategic direction of the business and translating this strategy into execution.

In my role as Innovation Ecosystem Lead I deliver research projects, accelerators and innovation programmes for clients such as the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.I am currently leading the delivery of Cyber Runway: the UK’s largest cyber security accelerator, designing, curating and delivering a programme of activity to support the growth of cyber startups from the earliest entrepreneurial stages, to startups gearing up to growth, to companies who are rapidly scaling and looking to internationalise. This activity spans various formats such as intensive in-person bootcamp delivery, virtual programmes delivered in sprints over several months, and all aspects of design, project management and delivery of a series of regional and national events. As Innovation Ecosystem Lead I'm also charged with growing Plexal’s cyber cluster and connecting startups, industry, investors, policymakers and cyber hubs from across the UK’s cyber security ecosystem. This includes working with regional cyber clusters, and connecting with startups, academia and industry by finding opportunities for networking and to consistently creating opportunities to connect with the cyber community. This has been both through curating and hosting events and panels, or by taking part in panel sessions or delivering talks and workshops myself.

As Delivery Lead at Plexal I was responsible for leading the programme management of LORCA Ignite, a super scaling programme for the most successful startup founders that took part in the original LORCA programme. This involved designing and delivering a bespoke programme of activity to engage the founders and help them overcome the challenge involved with leading a company through rapid growth. As part of this I researched and established the use of a new online delivery platform, curated a hybrid programme of workshops and mentorship for the founders, hosted a VIP dinner to give the founders a platform in front of the most senior stakeholders from across the cybersecurity landscape, and curated and delivered a founders retreat. The programme scored consistently high from founder feedback and was instrumental in strengthening key relationships with both the founders and programme stakeholders. I also led the programme management for a series of challenge led activity, working with government stakeholders to establish key challenges across telecoms, connected autonomous vehicles and network security, and running through a rapid research and solution development programme, scouting the startup landscape to identify and accelerate innovative solutions.In addition to this I started to focus on cyber cluster development and community building through targeted community events (such as the Cyber Lates series) and convening activity such as workshops and roundtables.

The Plexal Innovation Services team deliver programmes for clients such as Innovate UK, BT, TfL and UK Government, specialising in forging connections between industry, academia, investors, startups and scaleups. In this role I delivered both Cyber Innovation and Inclusive innovation projects, with complex and varied deliverables across multiple projects.My skillset includes:- Project Management - Innovation Programme Delivery - Accelerators and Incubator Delivery- Workshop and event facilitation - Sponsorship and corporate partnerships- Stakeholder Management - Research Projects- Bid and report writing - Platform/Website DevelopmentCyber Innovation- Delivery of the Full Innovation Project lifecycle, e.g. qualification of opportunities, leading the bid writing team, winning the opportunity, project mobilisation and roadmapping, programme design and development and transition to BAU running of the programme. - LORCA Live - flagship virtual cyber event. Design, project management and delivery of a major multi-day ecosystem event, which took place in both September 2020 and March 2021. Involved developing an online event delivery platform, curating the agenda, speaker outreach, creating an interactive workshop series, outreach and attendee engagement, live broadcast management, and managing key stakeholder relationships.Inclusive Innovation- Development of proposal for major innovation project with BT, leading to the implementation and successful delivery of a research focussed project on enabling those with significant mobility issues to play football through the use of technology (e.g. VR, eye track technology, motion control). - Delivery of a virtual 'hack' project with Creative United to develop innovative solutions for One Handed Instruments. Included the development of an online portal to enable collaboration, the formation and facilitation of sprint teams. - Design and delivery of Inclusive Innovation accelerator programme 'Open Door'

Plexal is a place for the innovators of the world: the makers, creators, thinkers, coders, rule-breakers and change-makers.What was once the Press Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games has been transformed into a bustling mini-city that has its own indoor park, high street, town hall and a room dedicated to making and prototyping.Why? Because cities are melting pots where innovation thrives: places that bring people from all walks of life together. And we believe that diversity breeds the best ideas.We’ve designed a workspace just for tech startups and scaleups, giving them plenty of quiet spots like our snugs and phone booths to get their head down and work, but also lots of opportunities to talk to the right people and get the advice they need from the professional services companies based at Plexal.Our in-house innovation services team can usually be found matchmaking businesses and delivering workshops, sprints, accelerators or incubators to get the ideas flowing (and scaling).And because we have our own 200-seater events space and plenty of room, there’s usually a party, conference, meetup or hackathon taking place at Plexal on any given day.

CC Young & Co is a firm of Chartered Accountants providing accounting and taxation services to the music, film and entertainment industry. The role of PA to Associate Director was a new position to both the director and the company, which involved helping to set up a new office and implementing administrative processes in additional to traditional PA responsibilities.Personal Assistance: Email Management, Diary Management, Team Management, Travel Bookings, Expenses, Preparation of reports and documents for meetings, Client Correspondence, Project Management and Research, Assistance with ad Hoc client requests.Practice Work/Compliance: Engagement Letters, Professional Clearance, Disengagement Procedures, WIP, Billing Process (SPS and CCH Central proficient), Debtor Control, Timesheets, Sales/Purchase invoice administration, General Administration Tasks.

Initially part of a small company (DLR Legal) which was later acquired by Consilio, the role involved managing the office, and creating and implementing the administrative and financial processes required to manage short term, urgent legal document review projects. Project Coordination: Processing timesheets, expenses and external invoices, Maintain accurate COGS records, Producing weekly and monthly financial forecasts and reports for the Finance team, Preparation and transmission of client invoices, Maintaining an excellent relationship with recruitment candidates in order to retain loyalty, Providing support to the Sales and Operations Directors and the Head of Recruitment, Arranging domestic and foreign travel and accommodation.Recruitment: Setting up and maintaining Bullhorn CRM and recruitment database, Staffing and logistics for new projects, Coordination of the candidate on boarding procedures, maintain an excellent relationship with recruitment candidates in order to retain loyalty.Office Management: Oversee IT set up for new projects, Maintain office supplies and refreshments, Deal with purchase invoices related to the office, General office administration and support.

A 1:1 Senior PA role within the Commercial department of News International (now News UK). The role combined comprehensive assistance to the commercial director, with managing the admin team providing support to the department of 200 people. Personal Assistance: Extensive diary and email management, Meeting organisation and preparation, International/national travel arrangements, Conference calling, Event/conference organisation, Internal processing (HR, Invoices, Holiday, Expenses, Report writing/amending documents, Agendas and Minutes.Admin Manager: Line manager to junior PA/Admin team, performance reviews, training & progression, Managing Barter account, Managing supplier accounts, Department restructures & organisation charts, Recruiting and writing job descriptions.

A part time PA role supporting the EA to the Editor, as well as providing direct assistance to the Editor and Deputy Editors.Personal Assistance: Diary management for Editor and Deputy Editors, Liaising with high profile, VIP and celebrity contacts of the editor, Arranging national and international travel and compiling itineraries, Intercepting all confidential legal faxes, First point of contact for all staff members on editorial floor and interdepartmentally, Gatekeeper to all phone calls, Event organisation.

* Initiating and maintaining relationships with West End advertising agencies and direct clients* Selling advertising across a portfolio of newspapers and supplements* Project Management including budget forecasting, profit and loss analysis, lead generation and flat planning* Performing complex research and data-analysis using NRS and TGI data to support sales proposals* Creating and presenting PowerPoint presentations to board level* Pitching and negotiation face to face and over the telephone

* Managing a small sales team working on educational magazines and newspaper supplements* Managing business development of major client accounts and overseeing larger projects, including sponsorship and competitions with Blue-Chip companies* Launched numerous new publications, resulting in a significant amount of incremental revenue* Delegating responsibilities across the team* Delivering team deadlines and budgets