Serving as an integral member of NHM's Senior Leadership Team, in my current capacity as the Head of Research Innovation at the Natural History Museum (NHM), I am dedicated to driving innovation that aligns seamlessly with NHM's long-term vision. Working in close collaboration with key stakeholders, I play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academia, policy, and commerce. My primary mission is to translate academic excellence into tangible environmental & societal impact and sustainable revenue streams, firmly rooted in NHM's overarching mission.Central to my responsibilities is the development of a robust innovation business plan that covers research, commercialisation, and societal impact. I actively nurture an innovation-driven culture within NHM, promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and driving the identification of new innovation opportunities. A significant portion of my current focus is dedicated to a major acceleration project, the NHM Biodiversity Intactness Index licensing venture, reflecting my commitment to pioneering initiatives with a profound and wide-reaching impact. To this regard I am also a member of the TNFD’s Data Catalyst.A critical aspect of my role centres on the establishment of strategic partnerships and agreements. This involves extensive engagement with a diverse array of external stakeholders, such as industry leaders and government agencies. These partnerships are pivotal in cultivating an expansive innovation ecosystem that complements NHM's mission and vision. I also have a track record of thought leadership, actively engaging in presenting, participating in panel discussions, and representing NHM at senior levels in global events. These events include prestigious gatherings such as the COPs, GEO BON, World Economic Forum, and Climate Week. My involvement in these global forums reinforces NHM's position as an influential player in the field of biodiversity and environmental science, further advancing our mission.

In this role, I focused on commercialising the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) research. My primary goal was to help businesses make sustainable, net-positive biodiversity decisions. Forging strategic collaborations with corporations, financial institutions, and tech companies, I developed solutions that delivered both ROI and environmental benefits.Projects under this initiative generated valuable research and provided commercial funding for the Natural History Museum. Our work had a significant global impact on biodiversity and influenced policy decisions. During this time, I lead BII being incorporated within the TNFD framework as well as other policy outputs such as State of Nature 2023.

As a trustee, I am deeply committed to advancing our mission of protecting wildlife and promoting sustainable practices. In my position, I work closely with the Board and Executives to drive innovative initiatives that enhance the Zoo’s impact on both local and global scales. My focus is on fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations, securing sustainable revenue streams, and ensuring the long-term success of our conservation projects.As a trustee, I also carry significant legal responsibilities, including overseeing the charity’s activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and safeguarding the organisation’s assets. My involvement with Chester Zoo reflects my dedication to translating academic excellence into tangible environmental and societal benefits, aligning with the overarching goals of the North of England Zoological Society.

As a Knowledge Partner with the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB), I play a role in ensuring the effectiveness of initiatives to harness biodiversity credits for global benefit. Working alongside diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples and local communities, I provide informed and evidence-led critique and support to advance innovative solutions for nature investment. The IAPB panel plans to deliver its first outputs at the CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia, where they aim for their contributions to drive transformative change towards a sustainable, nature-positive economy.

I was awarded an honorary title to sustain my partnerships and investigations at the university. These involve my former postdoctoral positions and multiple PhD projects which I co-supervise.

During my post-doctoral position, I investigated the impact of human-made structures (MMS) such as oil and gas platforms, wind turbines, and wrecks, on microbial ecology and benthic macrofauna in the North Sea. This research was carried out as part of the FuECoMMS project, which received funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) as part of the INSITE joint industry project. This project aimed to provide scientific evidence to inform international decommissioning policies and decision-making processes. I collaborated with several esteemed institutions, including the University of St. Andrews, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science, and the Scottish Association for Marine Science, as well as industry partners and stakeholders such as Shell, Repsol, INEOS, DNV-GL, and the Shetland Oil Terminal Advisory Group.During this time, I also continued the pivotal research initiated by the NERC-funded project "PRINCe." This project was dedicated to unravelling the intricate relationship between phosphorus, sediment structure, and microbial communities in nitrogen processing. My core responsibilities revolved around conducting thorough molecular analyses of nitrogen-cycling microbial communities, shedding light on their complex interactions and contributions to the nitrogen cycle.

During my doctoral research, I employed state-of-the-art techniques in molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and statistical analysis to evaluate the effects of oil contamination, remediation strategies, and shipwrecks on microbial community diversity and abundance in both in situ and laboratory environments. This research played a pivotal role in advancing our comprehension of the environment's inherent capacity to break down hydrocarbons, consequently contributing to the enhancement of post-oil-spill monitoring protocols.As a participant in the EnvEast Doctoral Training Programme, I successfully completed the Advanced Doctoral Training programme, further enriching my academic journey. Additionally, I achieved the publication of all my data chapters, thereby disseminating the findings of my research to a wider audience and furthering the body of knowledge in this field.

I hold an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology with First Class Honours from the University of Essex. Although I completed this program many years ago, my passion for marine biology and my academic achievements have continued to shape my career and interests.One of the highlights of my academic journey was my third-year project, in which I employed statistical methods to investigate the influence of neutral and niche processes on the community composition of wildflowers, invertebrates, and coral reef fish across different habitats. This research led to the development of a novel concept known as the "niche-to-neutral continuum," which allows for the evaluation of habitats based on their ecological characteristics.Despite the years that have passed since my undergraduate studies, the knowledge and skills I gained during my time at the University of Essex have remained integral to my ongoing engagement in the field of marine biology. My academic foundation continues to inform and inspire my work and contributions in the world of marine science.

I assumed the overarching responsibility for a sizable and multifaceted business with a multi-million-pound turnover, a workforce of over thirty dedicated professionals, and operational expenditures reaching into the millions. My central focus revolved around maintaining the highest standards of health and safety, not only within the establishment but also on public roads, ensuring the well-being of both staff and the broader community.Simultaneously, I spearheaded rigorous financial planning and auditing to safeguard the financial integrity of the business. These measures involved meticulous budgeting, expense control, and adherence to best financial practices, contributing to our transparency and accountability.Striking a balance between optimal operational procedures, prudent financial management, and unwavering commitment to health and safety, my strategic approach not only optimised productivity but also reinforced the overall success of the business.

I was entrusted with the pivotal responsibility of evaluating the pricing strategy for the UK markets, encompassing both downtown and airport locations. This assessment was closely aligned with revenue management and the overarching company strategy. My primary objective was to foster the expansion and growth of the UK network, all while conducting a comprehensive analysis of competitor activities.In my pursuit of achieving key performance indicators (KPIs), I recognised the indispensable role of market and competitor analysis. This was instrumental in identifying opportunities, exploiting potential gaps, and refining our existing practices to maximise our market position and competitiveness.During my tenure, I introduced an innovative partner system and a corresponding financial model. The implementation of this system resulted in a remarkable 95% reduction in resource demand while simultaneously elevating customer satisfaction and cashflow levels. This achievement was a testament to our commitment to efficiency and customer-centric strategies.

I held the overarching responsibility for the comprehensive operations of our stations. My focus extended to the development and training of our staff, as well as delivering exceptional service to our valued customers. This was all in service of driving revenue, implementing rigorous cost control measures, and optimising the efficient utilisation of our resources. Additionally, in my role as a senior manager, I played a crucial part in the management of the London area, ensuring that all our stores were running with maximum efficiency.During my tenure, my commitment to excellence was evident in my accolades, including the Avis Budget Group Airport of the Year award. This esteemed recognition encompassed various key performance indicators such as profit, health and safety, utilisation, customer service, and audit. Notably, our financial performance excelled, with an 87% increase in both top-line revenue and bottom-line profit against plan. Simultaneously, we successfully expanded our market share, underscoring our impact and success in the market.

In my capacity as the overseer of store operations, I managed a sprawling 15,000 square feet of merchandised floor space, contributing to an annual turnover exceeding £7 million. This entailed the effective leadership of a staff base of up to 45 dedicated individuals.One of the highlights of my tenure was the organisation of multiple outreach days, which combined community engagement and press/media establishment through a blend of in-store and digital activities. The results were truly remarkable, as these initiatives led to a noticeable increase in both customer footfall and revenue.

As the leader of this high-velocity retail outlet, I managed annual fuel turnover exceeding £12 million and a retail turnover of £1 million. I balanced optimal staffing levels, adhered to rigorous health and safety standards, and oversaw meticulous financial planning and auditing. Our commitment to safety, financial accountability, and efficient resource allocation ensured both customer satisfaction and operational success.

In my role overseeing a specialised retail outlet in the Wine and Spirits industry, I had the privilege of spearheading revenue growth and exceptional customer service through a dual focus on expert knowledge and local community engagement. During my tenure, I obtained a Personal License and achieved certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, ensuring both legal compliance and enriching customer experiences through education and engagement.My dedication to delivering unparalleled customer service and fostering a deep appreciation for wine and spirits among our patrons was unwavering. I strived to make each customer's visit a memorable journey of discovery, cementing our establishment as a respected hub of connoisseurship in the industry.

During my time at Sainsbury's, I held various operational roles that were integral to the store's success. This diverse experience prepared me to oversee and contribute to the growth and efficiency of the retail business.