SMD - is all about engineering excellence underwater. This is a flagship brand for the north east and for over 50 years, SMD has offered innovative solutions to its clients who conduct their operations beneath the ocean line. SMD has delivered many world firsts and this is an exciting time to join as marketing and communications manager to cover for the excellent @Laurie Thomson as she goes on maternity leave,

I bring a commercial and solutions orientated approach to coaching gained through a 30-year career leading large-scale change and growth in public and private sector organisations, from established businesses to entrepreneurial start-ups.

Providing governance and support to TWAM enterprises who are responsible for managing the commercial trading across nine museums and galleries across Tyneside and the Archives for Tyne and Wear. TWAM has over 200 employees and is supported by four local authorities in Tyneside and Newcastle University. TWAM is a National Portfolio Organisation funded by the Arts Council England. We want everyone to have access to museum and archive provision in Tyne and Wear through world-class service.

I am proud to be one of the founders and trustees for the Zambezi Sunrise Trust which in five years has raised over £600,000 and built a school in an area that makes education accessible to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Zambia. In partnership with our NGO, the Zambian government and the community we now teach over 600 children.

Redu Group is an award-winning, innovative specialist and digital marketing company that uses its bespoke in-house technology to help online retailers achieve substantial sales. As Managing Director, I brought processes to help prepare the company for scale and growth, ensuring all employees helped co-create Redu's journey. With the support of the board and senior exec team, I helped steer and coordinate the development of the overall strategic direction for the company. Most importantly, I was responsible for the implementation, delivery and execution of the strategy. Redu is a fascinating, fast-paced organisation that constantly innovates and leads the way in its industry sector.

My role was to provide strategic branding and communications support for Gradvert – a training and development company. Gradvert's mission: improve business performance by improving performance. During my time on the project, Gradvert became an approved Apprenticeship Training Provider and offered Institue of Leadership and Management (ILM) accredited and non-accredited programmes.Using a bespoke diagnostic tool and approach, Gradvert was able to help many organisations to develop their people to become better leaders.

Campaign Manager for Jeremy Middleton, who was the first candidate running for Mayor of the North East. The Campaign was suspended in September 2017 as the North East devolution deal with central government collapsed.

UNW is a leading north east, independent firm of chartered accountants delivering accountancy and advisory services. My role was to help evolve the brand to help bring clarity and consistency across the disciplines. Stakeholder mapping was a key part of the programme to help UNW understand who and how to communicate more effectively both internally and externally, a key part of a service-based business. I helped design, develop and launch a diverse annual events programme that provided an environment for engagement and sharing of knowledge for clients and employees.

The Entrepreneurs' Forum was formed in 2002 by some of the regions leading entrepreneurs. It is a diverse and inclusive membership-based organisation providing an environment for entrepreneurs to be inspired, create connections and share knowledge that leads to growth and job creation for the region. My main focus as CEO was to take the forum from a funding model and convert it to a self-sustaining organisation. I am proud to say that my legacy lives on and the Forum is still here today serving over 300 members.

I was asked to help build a stronger marketing department over a fixed period to support the Port's ambition to increase its presence both regionally and nationally as a key generator of economic growth for North East England. Andrew Moffat the incumbent CEO had a strong vision to build a vibrant and sustainable Port of Tyne which aimed to consolidate existing business and expand into new markets whilst still maintaining a strong sense of community responsibility.

1NG was the city development company for NewcastleGateshead. I developed the brand identity system for the organisation along with delivering a suite of corporate material to support the organisation. Additional responsibilities included targeting private sector development, the lauch of the Economic Master Plan for NewcastleGateshead and pitching ideas for specific site branding

NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) is a destination marketing agency operating across the public and private sector. As Head of Marketing, I played a key role in promoting the place brand of NewcastleGateshead internationally, including being a part of their stakeholder group who attracted Emirates to supply Newcastle International Airport with a direct route to Dubai. Managing a £1.4 million budget we worked to reposition the city and improve its reputation using narrative and iconic buildings and places to attract the participation of thousands of residents from diverse backgrounds to cultural events.