I lead the policy and public affairs functions for NCFE, a leading charity and provider of education services. I am responsible for developing policy positions and and building public affairs strategies, informing business strategy through deep and credible insight, and building impactful relationships with government stakeholders. I am a regular speaker at events, webinars and podcasts, and write for the education trade press

I managed a team of researchers and data analysts to deliver high quality research, and my role involved commissioning external research to inform business strategy, analysing how complex changes in government policy affect the operating model of the business.

As Policy Leader for NCFE, I was responsible for interpreting government policy changes and ensuring that the business responds accordingly.

I worked in a varied and demanding role in local government. I managed a number of projects at any one time and managed change in an organisation that was constantly adapting to new ways of working with dimishing rescources. I was a named contact for elected councillors to address ward issues, and administered the Local Communities Fund for the West area of Gateshead. I was also involved in policy development and wrote formal reports for the Council and its partners.

During my time in this role in the Council, I provided business advice to independent childcare facilities in Gateshead, delivered training and organised peer support networks. I was also heavily involved in policy development and research into changing legislation and standards in childcare.

I managed a team of eleven people and four children's centre buildings in this demanding role. I was repsonsible for ensuring an effective administration team, developing an effective data management system for sensistive information, and ensruing that buildings were functional and compliant with the law.

I was responsible for developing an individual budgets pilot programme for disabled children in Gateshead. This was part of a national pilot, and involved an intense amount of research and development of new systems. I worked closely with families, social workers and health professionals to develop new assessment pathways, and I am proud of the work I acheived, which had a very positive impact on the lives of a number of young people in Gateshead.

I undertook a one year placement in one of the poorest countires in the world, advising the newly formed Makeni City Council on democratic processes and all aspects of development. I wrote a number of successful funding applciations and managed a number of development projects from inception to completion. During this time I delivered a training session on world poverty to members of parliament in Sierra Leone.

I worked on the community facilities team at the coucnil, helping to facilitate some of the first asset transfers in the country, giving funding advice to independent organisations and developing volunteers through trainign and effective signposting.