I am a committed and multi-skilled professional with extensive knowledge of policy, funding, practice and theory within the field of HE employer/business engagement. I am currently working on strategic projects and funding relating to place-based economic development. I was instrumental in developing Northumbria's degree and higher apprenticeships portfolio. Experience of higher-level skills, student and graduate enterprise and employability, local growth and external funding environments. PhD from Lancaster University focusing on high-level skills policy and degree apprenticeships. I am passionate about how Northumbria University can play a strong role in supporting local economic growth through working in partnership with businesses, local authorities, North of Tyne Combined Authority, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Office for Students (OfS), UUK and other key stakeholders. I have effective and proven bid-writing and project management abilities and have led on successful funding applications worth in the region of £8m over the last ten years.