I have worked at the intersection of governance and the purpose sector for the last twenty-five years, as an infrastructure lead, independent consultant, head-hunter, board trainer, trusted adviser and capacity builder.

I have strong knowledge and proximity to the governance of the diverse purpose sector in the UK and overseas – building and advising the boards of:

• Crisis

• Friends of the Earth

• Stonewall

• KPMG Foundation

• Action Aid International

• Liverpool FC Foundation

• EY Foundation

• London Community Foundation

• Youth Futures Foundation

• British Gas Energy Trust

  and many more.

I have supported and advised boards across the private, public and civil society. These include:

• Global Not-for-Profits and Social Enterprises

• Trusts & Foundations (Endowed, Corporate, Family)

• Networked Membership Bodies

• Democratic Federations

• Donor-Advised Start-ups

• Partnership Boards

• National Infrastructure Organisations

I work to strengthen their boards’ effectiveness, explore new models and governance frameworks to deliver their vision, better reflect society, share power, centre inclusion and intersectional diversity, and to consider their long-term impact and purpose.

I understand the priority and implication of centring diversity and lived experience (experts by experience) in governance. I provide the focus, energy and time to resource this and support it effectively, while acknowledging the issues related to identity and representation.

I’ve been part of a Lived Experience consortium, helping to create resources and support for the sector wishing to implement board shadowing schemes and other lived experience governance developments.

I have a good understanding of national and global funding ecologies, of the structural framing of the sector, and an awareness of the complexity of stakeholder relationships that boards interact with.

I draw on over twenty-five years of experience, best practice and innovative sector developments to advise boards and their stakeholders. I combine insights into charity governance, the regulatory environment alongside social change and activism with the very human and practical needs of a non-executive board working toward a shared endeavour. I offer clients a range of creative and practical solutions, including challenging and supporting a board’s ‘preparedness’ to evolve.

I am used to working on time-bound projects with multiple stakeholders and over a sustained period, and I communicate clearly and accessibly over a range of different platforms and incorporating use of technology – creating safety for everyone to participate. I bring high levels of emotional intelligence – able to hold, iterate, synthesise and respond to multiple and complex themes, alongside sensitive and nuanced information, ideas and perspectives at the same time and feed them back in a thoughtful, measured, inclusive and pragmatic manner.

I’ve lectured on good governance practice for Goldsmiths, University of London and Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

I am currently Co-Chair of Hackney CVS including Hackney Giving, a grant maker. I am Chair of the Tenants and Residents Association of my estate in East London and a member of the Housing Ombudsman Resident Board.