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CV
A bit of background
I am good at making new ideas useful. I specialise in futures, foresight and organisational change, with a focus on social impact.
I like to tackle messy problems and make new things useful. I try to combine critical analysis of the present with creative storytelling and a deep knowledge of technology to imagine new futures. I then work with teams to start the practical process of experimentation and learning.
I enjoy delivering complex projects and exploring innovation in the humanitarian and charity sector. I now lead technology innovation and foresight at the British Red Cross and the IFRC's Solferino Academy.
Recent projects include include reimagining the future of cash transfers in humanitarian responses, experimenting with robotic process automation, and developing new ways for global movements to engage with an uncertain future.
My Master's in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership has equipped me with practical skills, theoretical knowledge and a wide network of trouble causers, experimenters and fringe thinkers. I am also a certified Scrum Master and Product Owner, so can deal with the details of delivery.
Previous work includes redesigning the innovation system for the UK's largest charity, Cancer Research UK. This involved launching a social ventures laboratory, operating at arm’s length to uncover new business models, funding streams and markets. We were supported by Google’s start-up accelerator.
I have deep experience in the humanitarian sector, with seven at Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), time with the Red Cross as a logistician, and as the founder of an educational charity in Mali, West Africa.
Skills
Digital transformation Strategic foresight Storytelling Facilitation
Innovation practice Breaking things Putting things back together better
Work Experience
2020-2022
IFRC and the British Red Cross
Head of Technology Innovation and Foresight. I explore the future then pick things to experiment with. If they fail, we learn useful lessons, If they work, we can adjust our strategy and investment to scale them. Helping projects around the world.
2017-2020
Cancer Research UK
An interesting attempt to change the UK's largest charity by setting up an arm's-length innovation unit to design social ventures and fore-purpose business models.
2011-2017
MSF/Doctors Without Borders
Set up a digital team in the UK that had a massive impact. Then worked with offices and frontline project wrestling with the challenges of a changing world. From South Sudan to Scandinavia, USA to Pakistan, I helped find practical ways to deliver change.
Once-then
Other stuff
I've always tried to make stuff happen and I've always had a side project. While studying, I ran events messing with people's expectations of venues and music. I bounced from the humanitarian sector to the media and back. Somewhere along the way I set up a charity with Malian mates in Bamako, perfecting my own unique take on French in the process. I then got in to digital through content creation but was fascinated by how organisations change and adapt, and that's what I've been focused on since, from one angle or another.
Education
2016-2018
Bayes Business School/City University
Masters in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership (MSc)
Humans are creative creatures. How do you make the most of this as an individual, and then build organisations, social structures and systems that make the most of it?
1997-2001
Edinburgh University
Got lost in politics and history trying to understand how the word ended up like it did, and where it might go. Not figured it out yet.
Interests
Do you really care? We all like doing stuff.
I waste more time than I should. I really enjoy sleeping and don't trust people who say it's a waste of time. I set myself challenges and get a bit obsessed till I've figure it out, then often never do them again. Sometime I write, which is something I love but don't do enough for one reason and another. Sometimes I mess about with cardboard boxes and old magazines. Often I just talk nonsense with lovely people.