Provocative
My boss had a problem. Housing policy leads were blocking ideas to build more homes. He was meeting them tomorrow; could I help? Next day, my presentation turned the situation around; I’m a Strategist.
I grasp the root cause of a problem, embrace uncertainty, and compare solutions. I need to understand holistically and flip between viewpoints. I overcome entrenched beliefs, posing problematic questions.
Perceptive
Stealth Dyslexia defined school and career. Computers enabled me to write. I won ‘best new play’ in the Southend Drama festival and achieved three readings at the National Theatre. My screenplays attracted consideration from producers, directors and performers including Jack Shepherd, and Patrick Allen.
I moved to London to train as an actor, with a talent for improvisation and directing; I performed in Fringe Theatre, short films, and TV.
Perspective
Acting & writing taught me psychology, motivations, biases, beliefs, incentives, and interactions. I plunge into research for every new encounter.
When diagnosed Dyslexic at HMT, I accelerated my reading, digesting over 400 audio-books: Strategy, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Business, Sales, Communication, Marketing, Statistics, Science…no limits.
Technology increased my reading and writing speed, and I developed expertise in critical thinking and problem solving, by relentless, eclectic learning.
Proven
April 2018 
Present
Freelance Strategy Consultant
Providing insights on UK House Building Market and Government policies and processes, for overseas investors and developers.
January 2013 March
2018
Department for Communities and Local Government, Strategic Advisor
I changed government policy on accelerating planning permissions by presenting evidence exposing misconceptions and reverse engineering the business models of major builders.
I chaired the Disability Network, leading members to a strategic focus on Mental Health, driving over 300 responses to internal disability attitudes survey, and using the results to alter operational policy.
February 2012
December 2012
Valuation Office Agency, Programme & Project Coordinator.
I facilitated a mediation session between project teams in conflict over a cross-cutting resource and scheduling dispute and negotiated an agreement by drawing out underlying interests and concerns.
January 2009 February
2012
HM Revenue & Customs, Knowledge Analysis & Intelligence - Change Programme Officer.
I designed Project and Programme Management procedures, guidance, and templates. Designing the Knowledge Management improvement programme. Simplifying Nonaka & Takeuchi SECI Model with Lean, System Dynamics and Behavioural Insights.
March 2007 January
2009
HM Treasury - Pensions Equality & Disability Team - Strategic Policy Analyst.
I developed the evidence base for pension reform, incorporating behavioural economics of choice architecture and default design, which underpinned pension auto-enrolment policy.
I advised Ministers and officials in DWP on optimising default pension scheme design.
Persistent
Manufacturing production control (8 years), telesales (1 year) and direct charity fundraising (6 years); MK Electric (responsible for £13m output) progressing supply, planning and scheduling factory production, Yardley coordinating sub-contract organising production scale product trials.
I carried out telephone market research interviews for a research agency, making B2B, B2C research and political opinion surveys. I cold called, selling advertising space in directories and member magazines.
I called contacts of charities for donations, objection handling, negotiating, and obtaining personal information. Top fundraiser for Sudan Campaign, averaging £1,000ph.