I am a successful bid manager working across commercial and research areas. In the last 4 years, I have either authored or edited successful proposals worth over £350m. I have designed a complete bid process and train bid teams on better bidding strategy.I am an expert on the European Commission's Horizon 2020 R&D programme, providing training and e-learning across Europe. I have 16 years' experience of research funding programmes and have produced guidelines on bid writing used to secure over 100 projects each year.I am also a skilled innovation consultant with 16 years’ experience in industry-focused innovation. I have particular expertise in taking concepts from brainstorm to funded project. I am always looking for new challenges and work hard to see ambitious concepts become reality.I am an expert in the psychology of persuasion and have written a book on persuasive writing techniques, entitled Persuasive Writing, published by Pearson Prentice Hall, the world's leading business and education publisher. I provide training on persuasion to businesses worldwide through Understanding Minds.Finally, I have significant experience of supporting businesses to grow. I have designed complete programmes for business coaching and mentoring, including novel techniques for diagnosing growth needs. My experience covers pre-start, start-up, incubation, innovation and high growth.Specialties: persuasion, concept development, consulting, innovation, meeting facilitation, mentoring, persuasive writing, proposal writing, quality control, training, workshops, bid process control, e-learning, Horizon 2020, InnovateUK, programme design, business growth