Bio

I have worked in innovation and applied research for over 25 years. I am currently Head of Innovation at Nationwide Building Society where I designed and led the internal innovation and the external incubators, Open Banking for Good and the Nationwide Incubator. I mainly use a Grounded Innovation methodology which I find the most effective and efficient as it delivers a deep understanding of the users, the challenges faced and their solutions, all whilst creating believable current and future contexts. Using this approach for the Nationwide Incubator delivered over £6m for Nationwide and its members in 2022. Prior to this I ran my own innovation consultancy for ten years working mainly with Microsoft Research in Cambridge, UK, focussing on developing new products and services, and which utilised grounded, socio-technical and technical innovation, and this was preceded by 10 years of technical and socio-economic Innovation at Vodafone. Throughout my career I have prototyped and developed new products and services, from technology probes and research prototypes, through deployed products and mobile apps, to a globally deployed fraud system whose prototype alone saved Vodafone over £1m per month. My work is founded on a belief in the importance of user insight and co-creation, a deep understanding of the mutual shaping of people and technology, and the creation of realistic future contexts. On this journey I have also helped build and grow a number of start-ups and supported them through the difficulties of onboarding with large organisations. I have an excellent analytical mind, and strong data analysis skills supported by my academic mathematical and theoretical physics background. I am an excellent thinker and logical problem solver, an effective communicator and engage well with people. Specialties: Innovation, grounded innovation, impact innovation, socio-technical innovation and evolution, communications expertise, telecoms expertise, creativity and innovation resource, innovation and research management