Key experience

* Extensive career in local government as a trained social worker and senior manager, working at both operational and strategic level - latterly as Head of Durham County Council’s Community Support Division, responsible for community engagement and participation, welfare rights, tackling crime and promoting community safety.

 * Involvement in the key corporate policy initiatives including change management, organisational development and equalities.

* Held the lead responsibility for relationships with the voluntary and community sectors and created one of the first ‘compacts’ between the sector and the council in the country.

* Set up the Cedar Partnership consultancy in 2007. (www.thecedarpartnership.co.uk)

* Assisted Tony Blair to win his Sedgefield seat in 1983 and gave him advice throughout his political career. 

Education and professional status

* Masters Degree in Business Administration. (MBA)

* Certificate of Qualification in Social Work.

* NVQ Level 5 in Strategic Management.

* County Councillor and School Governor.

 Consultancy Experience

* Community engagement aspects of the development of proposals for an eco-village in Darlington.

* A review of the Neighbourhood Management Board in Kings Lynn Norfolk.

 * Facilitating a new approach to engagement of young people on the Holme Wood estate in Bradford.

* Training for local authorities in the North East on interfaith issues and the links to the equalities and diversity agenda.

* Review of Prison Library Services in England and Wales.

*Facilitating workshops on Management Change for Neighbourhood Partnerships in Bradford.

* Carrying out a scoping study for Gateshead PCT of voluntary sector interest in Social Enterprise schemes and developing action learning sets.

* Facilitating a community engagement process to reduce health inequalities for Gateshead Neighbourhoods.

 Specialisations

* Whole systems working.

* Action learning and research techniques.

* Community engagement and participation.

* Event management and facilitation, policy and strategy analysis, training, organisational development and research.

* Networking with political and other networks to assist organisations deliver strategic and operational targets and outcomes. 

 Career experience

* Extensive experience of working in the public sector across departments and specialisms.

* 30 years experience of local government.

* Extensive significant relationships with senior politicians and civil servants.

* Continuous involvement in community activism and voluntary work.

*Independent consultancy experience.

 Key competencies

* Excellent analytical and communication skills.

* Wide range of written and verbal communication skills e.g. reports, formal presentations, workshops, small group facilitation.

* Good organisational and networking skills.

* Computer literate.

* Horizon scanning and forward thinking