My Fellowship was to the USA to investigate city innovation and open data, and how this can help citizens help themselves. It catalysed innovation projects in the UK and ultimately inspired me to found a high-tech start-up called HomeLINK.

HomeLINK uses the Internet of Things and machine learning to make rented homes smarter, safer and more efficient. As of July 2020, HomeLINK was acquired by and is now part of Aico – the market leader for fire and carbon dioxide protection solutions for social landlords. Before this, I worked in local government in several management roles in areas such as smart cities, innovation and change, at Bristol City Council and the Royal Borough of Greenwich. I developed and managed a pipeline of infrastructure and R&D projects amounting to over £33 million, worked on the operational arrangements for the London Olympics, and delivered several change programmes in social care, IT, HR and customer services.

I am also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, a member of the Open Data Institute, and hold degrees from the University of Exeter and Warwick Business School.