An experienced leader with a 20-year track record of delivering growth and impact in professional membership and trade associations. My strengths include partnership, business development, strategic planning, strategic communications and policy.
Career History
| April 2024 – present |
Chief Executive, Ukie Ukie is the UK trade association for the video games and interactive entertainment industry. As CEO, I work with the Ukie Board to represent the interests of member organisations with a particular focus on policy and public engagement. |
| 2022 – present |
Industry Representative, Government Media Literacy Taskforce I was appointed to the Government Media Literacy Taskforce in 2022, where I work with technology-sector partners including Tiktok, Google and Meta to develop collaborative approaches to combat mis- and disinformation online. |
| June 2015 – March 2024 |
Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) CILIP is the leading UK organisation for knowledge and information professionals, representing a membership of 12,000 practitioners in 20 industry sectors. As CEO, I am responsible for:
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| 2016-2021 |
Trustee and Chair, Wikipedia UK (Wikipedia Foundation) As a Trustee and Chair of Wikipedia UK, I helped establish Wikipedia as a leading platform for open knowledge in the UK. I led the Fundraising Committee and helped position Wikipedia UK as a global authority in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in partnership with the Wikipedia Foundation in the USA. |
| 2005 – 2012 |
UK Representative to the European Commission, Culture & Technology I was responsible for representing the UK within the European Commission, including influencing policy on culture, technology, copyright and data. In this capacity, I also Chaired the Europeana Network of media, technology & culture-sector brands across Europe. |
| 2004 – 2015 |
Chief Executive Officer, Collections Trust Working with the Board, I established the Collections Trust as the leading professional membership body for Collections Management practitioners, growing the membership by 300% and building strong partnerships with media, industry and education. |
| 2000 – 2004 |
Special Advisor, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) As Special Advisor, I led the implementation of the Peoples Network project, putting public-access Internet terminals into every public library in the UK. |
| 1998 – 2000 |
Communications & Marketing Officer, Museums & Galleries Commission (MGC) As Communications & Marketing Officer, I was responsible for supporting press and media relations, online and offline communications and marketing campaigns. |
Titles and honoraria
- Awarded an OBE in the Kings Birthday Honours List 2024
- Awarded Honorary Fellowship of CILIP in 2024 (Hon. FCLIP)
- Awarded the Freedom of the City of London by the Company of Cordwainers, 2024
- Bookseller Top 100 Influential People in Publishing (2019-2023)
Skills and Experience
| Policy | I am a highly experienced policy professional with extensive knowledge of policy development, a strong track-record in influencing policy relating to culture and technology and an extensive network across Westminster and the devolved nations.Examples include advocating for policy change on copyright and IP, supporting policy development on fake news and disinformation, lobbying for a better funding regime in Local Government and securing policy commitments to knowledge & information in the NHS. |
| Strategy | I have more than 20 years experience in the formulation, development and delivery of highly effective cross-industry strategies which have helped the organisations I have led both to consolidate their strengths and to capitalise on new opportunities. |
| Business development | I have led business transformation and business development initiatives, which have both secured sustained growth in existing trading activities and delivered new revenue through income diversification. |
| Technology | I am a recognised authority in the fields of culture and technology, having written, spoken and presented widely on the topic (including appearances in the media and press as well as public engagements such as TEDx).I maintain a strong current awareness of new and emerging digital capabilities and have recently led the implementation of a sector-wide approach to harness the potential of AI, machine learning and automation for my sector. |
| Leadership | I am an inclusive, values-based leader with a strong sense of mission and purpose. I am able to bring diverse groups of people together based on a common commitment to shared goals and outcomes. |
| Communications | I am a highly adept communicator, with a track-record of media appearances and extensive experience of parliamentary and public relations, including providing written and oral evidence to Select Committees and Parliamentary Enquiries. |
| Inclusive cultures | I have led the development of positive and inclusive working cultures which create the conditions for people to succeed. Specifically, I have introduced ‘talent management’ processes in my current and former roles, focused on enabling people to develop their strengths and fulfil their potential. |
Education & Qualifications
| 1994 – 1998 | Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge UniversityBA Hons Modern & Medieval Languages (French & German) – Grade II.2 Postgraduate diploma in Historical Linguistics |
| 1987 – 1994 | Westminster School, LondonA-level English, French, German, STEP- level English, French, 10 GCSE |
Professional Associations
- Former Trustee & Treasurer, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
- Former Trustee, Golden Hinde Trust
- Former Chair, International Council of Museums UK
- Past Trustee, Museums Association
- Past Councillor, MA Ethics Committee
- Council Member, UK Committee of the Blue Shield