I am a designer, writer and advisor who’s career began at 9.00am on Monday 4th September 1990. Since then I have designed for everything from finance and football to telecoms and teabags, civic and public, sports, education, not for profit. Some of the work has appeared in the D&AD annual, New York Festivals, Mobius, Design Week, and Clio awards and been recognised with Design Effectiveness and Marketing Society Effectiveness awards. None of this would have been possible without being fortunate enough to have worked with some incredible people, first as a partner at Elmwood, then Creative Director at the Leith Agency. At The Leith Agency I was co-founder of the brand and strategy arm Leithal Thinking, and worked across the Cello Group companies. I've also been a joint managing partner at service design business Snook, and I'm now Creative Lead at FreeAgent. Since 2013 I have sat on several boards for Macmillan Cancer, across programs ranging from the The Transforming Cancer After Treatment Program and now the Improving the Cancer Journey with Glasgow City Council and key healthcare partners. I've also worked as a strategy and creative consultant for the mental health charities SAMH and SeeMe.
I recently spoke at Creative Mornings Edinburgh on how purpose has a unique meaning to each of us. Why I believe it’s important in each of our lives, what can happen when it’s there, what can happen when it is lost. How it can unite and bind people together. I shared what purpose means to me, how it’s been present through my life and work, and how it’s changed and grown over time.
International brand strategy and communications consultant. Commercial and strategic agency leader. Encouraging internal entrepreneurship and driving growth.
I have established and expanded agency operations in the UK and overseas, both for independents and multinational holding group OpCo's.
Extensive leadership experience at client relationship and agency management levels, across geographies and sectors. I am at ease fronting senior relationships with global, cross-network clients and partners. I have led strategic engagements with clients ranging from global brand owners and international corporations, to senior-level government stakeholders and national leadership.
Fluent in contemporary brand communications strategies and implementation, international agency operations, network integration, and agency leadership.
Specialties: Strategic brand and communications consultancy; winning, developing, and leading global business and long-term client relationships.
Everything is better when it's a collaboration
Always employ above your own abilities and skills
A few inside the industry and many more outside
Hindsight
B&B in NZ
My secret
How to listen
Not seen it yet