Bio

I am committed to creating a fair and inclusive UK. My working life divides into three chapters; 15 years as a British diplomat, based in the UK, Hong Kong and Beijing; then a joyful and long-overdue move into the third sector, with 13 years at Toynbee Hall focusing on financial inclusion and social justice, developing approaches to champion lived experience-led systems change through co-design and co-production for a fairer and happier society; and now at Switchback, putting these ideas into practice in the criminal justice sector supporting young men leaving prison to have the opportunity and support to build sustainable lives they can be proud of. I continue my work as a financial inclusion expert - there are few people more financially excluded than young people from a global majority background leaving a UK prison. But a bank account, payment card and ID are all essential tools to start again - how else can a young man find a new home, get a job, pay their bills and become truly independent? If you'd like to chat about how you or your organisation can help us with this mission, please get in touch. Specialties: microfinance; financial inclusion; financial capability; financial exclusion; microlending; microcredit; microenterprise; consultancy; management; organisational development; strategy; systems thinking; public speaking; training; writing; research