Building purpose-driven economies

Growth | Enterprise | Purpose

I work with social enterprises, charities, local government and partners in delivering their purpose-driven missions.

I have worked across the public, private and civic sectors. I provide an unusual ‘think and do’ capacity; both research and analysis, together with the capability to build new ventures.

In particular, my work understands and seeks to drive change in the four economies:

  • social economy - building strategic eco-systems to accelerate growth, providing diagnostic support for individual social enterprises and building new ventures

  • foundational economy - developing strategies and projects for a more productive everyday economy, delivering skills, jobs and income to more people and filling urgent skills gaps

  • civic economy - delivering research, scoping and reviews to release the potential of civic procurement from public services and education for local economies

  • global economy - shaping strategies for key sectors, with a focus on purpose-driven business as a tool to drive beneficial social, economic and environmental impacts

My Recent Work

Public policy consultancy

  • I researched how new housing provision can contribute to economic growth for Homes England

  • I undertook a comprehensive mapping study for Devon County Council and partners to update and support their Safe Accommodation housing strategy (with Resonance Ltd)

  • I prepared a new business plan for the Greater London Authority to develop a new social enterprise to support High Street regeneration (with Think Philanthropy)

  • I wrote a research report (‘The Ties that Bind’) on the future of work and the importance of mutuality for the Think Tank Theos.

Strategic support for charities and churches

  • I supported the Arts Council of Wales in developing a new national art project and updating their capital investment strategies (with Think Philanthropy).

  • I have undertaken research and feasibility work for St Paul’s Cathedral and the Centre for Theology & Community and an evidence review for ‘what works’ in church growth for CCX (the Gregory Centre)

  • I have provided project management and fundraising support to the Guild Church of St Katharine Cree, the new church for workers in the City of London.

Social enterprise support

  • I have delivered diagnostic and business support to a dozen social enterprises in the South West (with Resonance Ltd), supporting their growth and sustainability.

I also write a monthly blog exploring topical socio-economic issues - from fair pay and dignified work to rentier capitalism and the banking sector - and publish occasional Policy Lab Papers exploring new ideas and proposals.

My expertise

My work is often at the boundaries of public, private and civic sectors; it’s where many of our biggest challenges our and where innovation can happen. Whether it’s a local authority exploring how a social venture might solve a problem, or a business exploring its social purpose or a charity wanting to be more enterprising - I can help you.

My cross-sector experience helps me to deliver support which is thoughtful, practical and joined up:

  • I was a director at SQW Consulting for many years, and Head of Operations, giving me strong experience in designing and delivering in-depth research projects as well as business management for a £10m consultancy

  • I helped to found, develop and then lead Clean for Good as Managing Director for four years. Clean for Good is an ethical social-purpose office cleaning business in London. The company delivers fair pay and dignified work for its team, has high customer satisfaction and reinvests its profits. It has won several awards, is B-Corp accredited and has grown to over £1m turnover.

  • I was the Development Director for a charity in the East End of London which supports community organising in churches working with Citizens UK. I provided management support, undertook applied research and developed social enterprises.

My unusual skill set - research, analysis, strategy, management and enterprise-building - makes me a good problem-solver for organisations managing change or starting new initiatives. I also have experience of communicating stories, using the power of storytelling for change.

I help partners to build local and regional economies which are growing and delivering for their local communities – creating dignified, well-paid jobs, meeting social needs and respecting the environment. This is purpose-driven economics. 

“Poverty does not belong in civilized human society. Its proper place is in a museum. We have to get out of this mindset that the rich will do the business and the poor will have the charity. I strongly believe that we can create a poverty-free world, if we want to.”

Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus

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