Supported and advised the Mayor of London across the whole range of economic and business policy issues in London, and led engagement with business in London including both major international companies and SMEs. I ensured the Mayor was kept informed of the key concerns and growth drivers of business in the capital. Major projects included: revising and implementing the Mayor's Economic Development Strategy; supporting start-ups, scale-ups and other SMEs; working with London's world-class… Show more Supported and advised the Mayor of London across the whole range of economic and business policy issues in London, and led engagement with business in London including both major international companies and SMEs. I ensured the Mayor was kept informed of the key concerns and growth drivers of business in the capital. Major projects included: revising and implementing the Mayor's Economic Development Strategy; supporting start-ups, scale-ups and other SMEs; working with London's world-class universities, global businesses and research institutes to improve translation of London's scientific and technical knowledge into economic growth and jobs; promoting the London Living Wage. Through London & Partners, the Mayor's single promotional agency, promoted London as the No #1 destination globally to visit, study and invest. Influenced the UK Government and European institutions on key issues affecting London’s competitiveness including migration, taxation and regulation. Show less

I spent three months as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Toronto, based at the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance (IMFG) and working also with colleagues at the Innovation Policy Lab. I looked at how cities are working with universities and other partners to respond to the challenges and opportunities of digital innovation and the use of Open Data. I drew on my own experience as Director of Economic Development for the Mayor of London, UK, together with research on Toronto. I… Show more I spent three months as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Toronto, based at the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance (IMFG) and working also with colleagues at the Innovation Policy Lab. I looked at how cities are working with universities and other partners to respond to the challenges and opportunities of digital innovation and the use of Open Data. I drew on my own experience as Director of Economic Development for the Mayor of London, UK, together with research on Toronto. I gave a public lecture on cities, data and digital innovation in Toronto, and presented papers at the University of Waterloo and the Cities and Digital Opportunity conference in Ottawa Show less

Successfully led the development of the London City Charter for the Mayor of London and the London Boroughs

I led the directorate that developed and implemented the UK Government's urban and regional policies in England, including physical regeneration, land and property; championing high-quality urban design; improving regional economic performance; and strengthening the role of England's major cities.

Policy advice to the Mayor of London on housing and homelessness; led the development and implementation of the Mayor's policies.

Key member of an expert team advising the UK Prime Minister and Home Secretary on a strategic approach to migration, including understanding the drivers of migration and its economic and social impacts and developing a cross-government integrated approach to migration policy.

Taught and researched housing policy and economics, comparative urban governance; citizenship and welfare in the European Union; urban regeneration and local economic development; economics of the welfare state. Author or co-author of four books and more than 100 articles and papers.