Our Team

I am the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Impact & Influence. I have 25 years of communications experience, as both an advisor and a journalist. I have worked for two international communications agencies for a total of 15 years, from providing C-suite advisory to running complex programmes for some of the world’s largest companies. I have advised CEOs through phases of growth and fundraising rounds, as well as through crises. I have also worked across sectors from financial services, to energy, and from technology to impact investing. I advised on the launch of the SDG500, a ground-breaking $500m impact investment platform established by Bamboo Capital Partners, dedicated to financing the Sustainable Development Goals, in Davos in 2020. Before moving into communications, I was a broadcast political journalist in the UK during the Blair years.

A chartered accountant by training, I have spent most of my career working in businesses in a variety of sectors. These range from large to small, owner managed to private equity backed to a subsidiary of a listed plc. Before starting my own business providing portfolio finance director/CFO services to SMEs, I most recently was part of the senior finance team at a £45m turnover international PR group providing advice to the management team of two of the group’s divisions whilst also being a key part of the central finance team overseeing the group as a whole. This included going through two sales of the business - from the founder to private equity and subsequently also from private equity to private equity. Prior to that I worked with a £5m director owned consulting engineering firm, as part of the management team that turned the business round from loss making and in debt, to debt free, profitable and navigated the business through a trade sale.

My career, which has predominantly been focused on communications and campaigns, spans over twenty-five years and reflects a wide interest in current affairs, education, the performing arts, healthcare and even cookery! After spending several years working in Westminster politics, including at a senior level in the 2001 General Election. After spending several years working in Westminster politics, including at a senior level in the 2001 General Election, I have worked for various charitable and voluntary organisations advising on external and internal communications strategies, stakeholder relations, fundraising development, and reputation management. My career took a brief but very happy sojourn when I trained in professional cookery and, in my last few years in Devon, I worked in a Michelin starred restaurant. Since moving to Hampshire, I have spent the last few years as the primary carer to a family member but am now able to resume my career supporting the I&I team.

I have more than 16 years of experience developing and executing communications strategies which successfully connect organisations to their stakeholders with impact. I have advised C-suite leaders, managed press and social media for national brands, led government-facing lobbying campaigns, and guided organisations through issues and crises. Most recently, I was Director of External Communications for digital banking and technology at HSBC, where I devised and implemented the Group’s global communications strategy for this strategic priority area. I was responsible for telling the bank’s innovation story, including customer and operational improvements, as well as how technology contributed to its net zero ambition. Prior to joining HSBC in 2016, I was Director of Communications at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), where I led campaigns to shape economic and business policies, and ran the organisation’s media relations, social media and digital channels. My communications career began at Edelman, where I advised corporate, financial, government and NGO clients.

I am a communications consultant with nearly 30 years’ PR, marketing, public affairs and senior counsel experience with an extensive and demonstrable track record of delivery, both in-house and in-agency. I love building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. I am also passionate about devising and implementing integrated PR / public affairs campaigns. I possess detailed knowledge of the energy, planning / property, financial services, infrastructure policy ‘beats’ and associated media. Through work at Finsbury; Citigate and Edelman I have advised companies including CH2M Hill (on the 2012 Olympic infrastructure and Thames Tideway builds); BAA; Equitable Life; Swiss Re; DMGT; Reed Elsevier; British Land; Taylor Wimpey; the Road Haulage Association and the Cancer Research Campaign. If I was run over by a bus tomorrow someone may note that the campaign I devised and ran at LTI which saved the traditional black cab in the London (despite being judicial reviewed twice!) and that I was a key part of the team that secured the funding package for Crossrail.

I am a public affairs and communications specialist with a decade of experience advising international blue chip and fast-growing companies. I began my career in politics before switching to client advisory. My interests and experience lie in supporting businesses to navigate complex political and policy environments, in the UK and internationally. I have acted for organisations as diverse as pre-seed fintechs to TalkTalk, Shell and BHP, on issues ranging from small business finance, international trade policy, climate finance and air quality. Most recently, I led client and new business engagement at the think tank and corporate advisory group, Asia House, growing the client base and developing a new strategy to pivot its strategy during the COVID-19 crisis. Prior to this, I was an Associate Partner in the Public Policy team at communications firm Instinctif Partners.

I am a communications and public policy professional with 15 years’ experience working at the heart of UK politics, media and policy. I started my career in Westminster as a parliamentary researcher for the former Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, before becoming Head of Broadcast Media for the Liberal Democrats, preparing spokespeople (including ministers) for local, national and international media. After leaving politics I joined the British Medical Association as Head of Media. I then returned to Westminster in a civil service policy role, working for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the successful sale from liquidation of British Steel before joining a small team working on international state and non-state actor engagement in Defra’s (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Biodiversity and Climate Directorate, including for COP26, COP27 and CBD COP15.

I am a Brand Director with over 20 years of experience in the graphic design industry. I have worked for leading brand agencies such as Ogilvy, Grey/G2, and Young & Rubicam, and built a dynamic portfolio of design work for well-known brands including K Mart, UL, Benetton, HarperCollins, Panasonic, and the Wall Street Journal. I have also founded two NYC-based design studios, including The Visual Mafia, an award-winning social activist communication studio, and The 62, a design/art collective that creates experiential public art informed by my background in design thinking. I have taught at prestigious institutions such as the Governor's School for the Arts, the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the School of Visual Arts, and lectured and hosted workshops at prominent venues like Ravensbourne University, the Tate Modern, and the Regent Street Apple Store in London. Recently, I have merged my philosophical thinking with my design-making to create meaningful brand work for the next generation of leaders and companies that catalyze change for good.

I have worked in the creative industries, particularly television, for more than 25 years. I am an award-winning TV executive and media consultant and my career has ranged from being the Managing Editor of ITV Westminster during the Blair years through to running the digital TV switchover for Scotland. I have advised some of the world's biggest companies on media strategy and most recently was the Head of Programmes for STV, Scotland's main commercial broadcaster. I have a very broad understanding of the industry having worked in a vast range of roles that include; researcher, journalist, presenter, producer, camera, editor, content acquisition (including drama), programme editor, writer, executive producer and leadership roles. I have a rare mix of creative, editorial and technical knowledge that offers clients a great deal of expertise and efficiency. I am a member of the Royal Television Society Education Committee and I am a guest lecturer and mentor for media, television, drama and journalism students.

I am a communications consultant with extensive experience building and implementing communications campaigns across a wide range of sectors, on briefs as varied as advising a significant mining sector fund on investor relations, managing EU public affairs for a pan-European housebuilders’ trade association, and creating a series of profile-raising initiatives for the C-suite of an ASX-listed healthtech firm. I specialise in mastering complex, technical subjects and distilling them into key messages which can be easily communicated to target audiences, and have a degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, writing, and practising public speaking at my local Toastmasters Club.

I am a public affairs and stakeholder engagement expert with seven years’ experience delivering political and stakeholder engagement campaigns across a range of sectors, with a particular specialism in securing planning consent for housing and renewable energy projects. I am responsible for advising clients on their approach to engaging local and national politicians, advisors and other decision makers including officials in Whitehall and officers at local authorities across England and Wales. I have led community and stakeholder outreach work and have particular experience in garnering community and stakeholder support for planning applications. I am also an elected councillor in Cheshire. I am therefore an experienced campaigner, politically well networked and now gaining the important experience from the perspective of a councillor.

I am a political public affairs specialist with significant experience working in and around Westminster. I recently worked as a consultant for the Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF) focusing exclusively on malnutrition advocacy. Alongside a small team I built ECF’s stakeholder engagement in the UK. I left them with a database that would be key for renewed British leadership on malnutrition and hunger issues from senior leaders to local community actors. I have volunteered around the world for various development projects and understand the impact that small local led NGO’s deliver.

I am excited to be starting the first stage of my Communications Career. I have previous experience in both commercial events and the education sector. I have volunteered with Oxford Mutual Aid, Oxford Hub, International NGOS, RSPCA and currently Bookmark Charity. I graduated from Cardiff University after studying International Public Relations and Global Communications Management. My BA was in English Literature. Both degrees enabled me to hone and develop my creative and analytical skill set. Key areas of PR that I would like to explore further are stakeholder engagement, developing effective strategies for change-driven campaigns and uncovering stories worth sharing.

I am proud to be embarking on my communications journey here at I&I. I have previously worked in various roles within education, hospitality, and most recently in public relations, which is where I developed an interest for the communications industry. My undergraduate degree in Sociology and Spanish sent me to the south of Spain; it is safe to say that from that moment, I recognised my love for experiencing new work domains in new places and throwing myself in at the deep end. My adaptability and languages have allowed me to work and volunteer in three countries and five cities including London, Leeds, Boulogne-Billancourt (France), Cádiz (Spain) and Santurtzi (Basque Country). I look forward to working with principled, exciting campaigns and doing my part in striving for a sustainable future for all.

I am excited to begin my communications career with I&I following the completion of my MA in International Public Relations and Global Communications Management at Cardiff University. Prior to enrolling at Cardiff, I worked in business development for a leading Canadian SaaS company helping professional services firms discover new avenues for revenue generation. I am looking forward to creating meaningful relationships with clients and to help them achieve their impactful business goals.