I established SohoCreate to provide a showcase for creativity and allow creative talent to communicate to other professionals on what they do and how they do it. I undertook extensive research with the local creative community to launch the business as a public/private partnership with Westminster City Council and private investors. Key achievements included: ☛ Developed a curated series of talks, debates, workshops, demonstrations, open house visits, live events and parties, all designed to Connect, Inspire and Celebrate. ☛Established the largest conversation about creativity in the UK, offering integrated opportunities for brands to meet businesses and leaders, gaining vital insights into creative process, technique and expertise.☛Presented hundreds of the country’s top creatives in conversation with each other and with thousands of ticket buyers.☛Raised £1million in Equity investment. Sponsors include Microsoft, Coutts, Guardian, BT.☛Won Best Small Event at the National Outdoor Events Association annual awards.

I collaborated with Government to create NFM to provide a more effective growth and development structure for creative, ideas, people and companies in the regions. I merged creative support agencies under one brand in North East England. NFM remains a hugely effective place-making and development agency focusing on cluster development and sector support. Key achievements included: ☛ Built turnover to £3.5million☛ Created public and private investment funds for talent, ideas and companies, creating 71 new companies and £75M of further investment into the North-East region.☛Introduced North East companies to a wide array of new ideas, new ways of working, new people, new networks and new experiences.

XPT was one of the first companies to develop, produce and licence multi-language interactive entertainment and drama content. It sold 20% to global ISP and entertainment portal Freeserve and was one of their first content purchases. Key achievements included: ☛Won BAFTA for interactivity in 2000 with ONLINE CAROLINE. ☛Gained two further BAFTA nominations and Rose d’Or nomination in 2001.

This was a multi-skilled management role in an internal start-up environment. Responsible for operating budget of £2.5m and shared responsibility for a portfolio budget of £60m.

I managed the commissioning process and forward schedule planning for the channel.

I worked closely with over 150 creative TV professionals, from junior researchers to senior broadcasters, developing a strategic view of the cultural, political, economic and creative concerns facing the TV industry for the annual talkfest in Edinburgh.