Helping to look after the programmes of work that make up the food and drink industry strategy delivery plan and overseeing our policy work with Scottish and UK Governments.

Proactively engage, support and gather insights from food and drink businesses and relevant stakeholders across the South of Scotland (Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway). Explore innovative ways of working with the business community including increased collaboration among businesses, communities and agencies across the South.Ensure food and drink businesses of all types and sizes are better connected into the support and opportunities available from Scotland Food and Drink, partners and other relevant sources. Provide insight and recommendations to SF&D and SoSE around how businesses in the South can be better supported to achieve higher level objectives for the South (and Scotland) linked to growth/success, community/people and environmental sustainability (including net zero).Role part funded by South of Scotland Enterprise.

Managing a UK-wide network of 2,500+ community organisers to drive good food activities such as growing, cooking, buying and sharing good food. Develop, promote and deliver network sessions, including in partnership. Implement aspects of dialogic change theory.

Looking after the Scottish aspects of a UK-wide programme of change within Soil Association: Food for Life Get Togethers. The programme aims to bring thousands of people of all ages together around good food. Funded by Lottery Community Fund.

Managing all local aspects of a major UK funded programme: Food for Life Better Care. Key activities: relationship management, project/change management, business support, policy guidance.Through this work I have supported strategic and operational change within communities and health and social care settings to enable and encourage a different approach to food, including intergenerational activities, food growing, cooking and achieving the Food for Life Served Here award.

Managing the work of Food for Life Scotland in Edinburgh to increase healthy and sustainable food across the city.Working with consumers and producers, procurement and catering, front line staff and senior management to deliver meaningful change to food systems.

Set up and managed the Low Carbon Alliance, a local environmental business membership network in Stirling with an innovative awards scheme. Recruited 67 business members who took part in a wide range of carbon reduction activities.I also analysed and developed environmental policies.Internally, I also project managed our own carbon management programme.

Co-ordinated the business facing Zero Waste Scotland campaigns for Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) which involved developing the campaign to promote sustainable waste management in small businesses across Scotland. Also wrote web copy and articles, provided direct advice, made presentations and a range of other duties. The website saw a record growth in visitor numbers in 08-09 and 09-10 (up 30%).

Worked in the Local Government Division of the Scottish Government. Assisted with the Local Income Tax consultation. Wrote briefing papers, attended meetings and analysed consultation responses. Left to join Keep Scotland Beautiful in a permanent position.

Conceived, set up and managed all aspects of an ethical food and drink shop and e-commerce website in central Edinburgh. Obtained bank funding to support the business.Wholly responsible for financial accounts, procurement, planning, logistics, marketing and overall strategy of business. Achieved month on month growth (turnover of £80k) and took difficult decision to close business in early 2008 based on projections of future earnings and desire to work with wider business community to reduce the overall environmental impact.

Investigated TV and Radio ads in line with the advertising standards code. Drafted adjudications for ASA council and prepared evidence for case. Negotiated with advertisers and their legal representatives to ensure the adjudications were understood. Worked jointly with policy team.

Resolved high level consumer enquiries, including MP referrals. Outreach co-ordinator for regional office: organising and monitoring events to budget. Developed training packand trained new starts. Produced statistical reports for management based on team performance.