Head of Membership, Events and Comms

Leyton UK is the UK's largest independent consultancy rewarding those who innovate. I am passionate about getting capital in the hands of the people driving industry in the UK, we support the innovators in securing the necessary capital to drive their next stage of growth. Our efficient utilisation of current HMRC tax incentives or, through Leyton Capital, we can secure the necessary funding for firms to amplify and stimulate their growth.At Leyton we improve companies performance through Research and Development (R&D) Tax Relief and Credits, R&D Grants and Patent Box claims.

My hands on experience of branding, marketing, store management and negotiating with some of the UK's biggest property management companies has made me the ideal person to speak to our new clients, in the initial stages of their business or as they make serious plans for growth. I am in a position to offer detailed advice, and by listening to where you want to grow your business, I can build you the ideal team of professionals to help your business achieve these goals, and develop in a way that supports scalability and investment.Throughout the last two years I have helped hundreds of clients identify their needs and potential, from these initial meetings I can build you the right Accounts and Legal team to achieve your goals.

Business development and advisory in London officeMeeting business owners from a wide range of industries, ranging from fashion start ups to investment bankers, assessing their needs as a company and advising them on structure and tax responsibilities. Clients are then introduced to the team best suited to their needs and with the skills to drive their company forward.Managing all leads to drive new business for the company in its current surge rate of growth. I am the first point of contact for all new partnering companies, both local and international, negotiating all new contracts in our London office, enhancing profit margins for the company while ensuring our clients have a transparently valuable service that will prove to be an investment for their company.

Working extensively in the UK fashion industry for commercial clients and media to achieve and further develop a clients brief. Including promotional images for their products in both print and film. Sourcing both high fashion, commercial and historical fashion looks and props to achieve the clients vision.Throughout this time I have also collaborated with world class talent in a creative director role. I confidently directed a wide range of shoots, from pulling the team of creatives together, location scouting, choosing the models to advising on hair and make up to complete a specific vision. Deriving creative expression of our craft, creating short films, music videos, magazine editorials and indeed completing guest Creative Director roles for internationally published print magazines.

Founded a chain of vintage retailers. Through my two brands "We Love To Boogie" and "The Kilo Store" I captured both ends of the vintage market. WLTB was more fashion forward and designer led and "The Kilo Store" being vintage clothes sold in bulk and by weight, and the brands evolved throughout the difficult recession years with myself predicting and identifying shifts in consumer behaviour. The brands were successfully marketing through social media, gaining a wealth of press attention due to collaborations with musicians such as Glasvegas, Kassidy and in store events with brands such as Vivienne Westwood.Time was spent driving both brands forward, both creatively and financially. Negotiating with international and national suppliers and dealers in the vintage fashion trade to ensure we had the most sought after stock. Creatively I concentrated on reading the international fashion industry, ensuring our stock was not only high quality vintage but relevant to emerging fashion trends. Much of the stock was hand picked on buying trips that lasted for days and took us throughout the UK and Europe.By being one of the first independent fashion brands to partner with ASOS, and constant negotiated pop ups in some of the busiest fashion streets in Scotland I ensured our brands were always at the cutting edge and dictated the industry in Scotland. Other highlights were the worlds only dedicated vintage opticians using unworn designer frames from the 60s and 70s and having an optician fit prescription lenses.The stores were featured in everything from Russian Vogue to South African Dazed and Confused.

Radio Presenter with my own show, playing a curated selection of music, taking requests and interviewing guests on an FM radio station in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. My role included planning shows with my assistant host and orchestrating comical chit chat and engaging conversation between us and the audience.