United Kingdom
I’m an Innovation Programs & Community Engagement Manager in the Open Innovation team at NatWest Group, working at the intersection of banking, startups, and emerging technology to drive meaningful collaboration and impact. I’m passionate about the startup and venture capital ecosystem and completed the Newton Venture Capital Fundamentals course with distinction, a collaboration between London Business School and Phoenix Court Group, strengthening my understanding of venture investing, innovation strategy, and high-growth businesses. Alongside my role in Open Innovation, I am Global Co-Chair of the NatWest Group Multicultural Network, one of the organisation’s largest and most vibrant employee-led networks. In this role, I help shape strategy and deliver initiatives that create a more equitable workplace for colleagues and leaders across cultures, backgrounds, faiths, and ethnicities - with a strong focus on upskilling and development, cultural intelligence, and cultural celebration at scale. I’m a strong researcher, writer, and community builder with experience across innovation programmes, ecosystem engagement, project delivery, and senior stakeholder management. My academic and international background has equipped me with a diverse, adaptable skill set, shaped through work in corporate, SME, and startup environments.
Drove strategic innovation programmes and ecosystem partnerships that connected high-growth businesses, founders and fintechs with opportunities across NatWest Group. Built relationships across the innovation ecosystem, translating market insights into engagement, pipeline development and commercially relevant opportunities for the bank.
Co-lead one of NatWest Group's largest colleague networks, shaping strategy, governance and engagement initiatives that support inclusion, belonging and career development across a global employee community. Led the launch and delivery of 2 Reciprocal Mentoring Programmes across NatWest Group, engaging c450 - 650 colleagues and leaders respectively. Partner with senior leaders to drive visibility, influence organisational priorities and create opportunities for underrepresented talent across the bank.
Designed and delivered NatWest Group's innovation engagement strategy, creating opportunities for colleagues, partners and industry experts to connect, collaborate and explore emerging technologies. Co-led a portfolio of in-person, hybrid and virtual programmes that increased awareness of innovation activity across the bank while translating market trends and ecosystem insights into engaging, commercially relevant content.
The Newton Venture Program is dedicated to levelling the playing field in venture capital by opening doors for individuals from traditionally overlooked and underestimated backgrounds. Its mission is to ensure that the next generation of venture investors truly reflects the diversity of the world we live in. Newton is a joint initiative between London Business School and Phoenix Court (Local Globe.) The Fundamentals Program provides participants with a comprehensive foundation in venture capital, covering critical areas such as the VC ecosystem, deal sourcing, valuations, founder-investor dynamics, building conviction, negotiations, legal frameworks, and exit strategies.
Produced international technology and SaaS events, leading content strategy, speaker acquisition and programme delivery across multiple markets. Drove audience growth and commercial performance through data-led event repositioning and stakeholder engagement.
Developed and delivered large-scale technology conferences across international markets, including leading a team to launch in the African continent, owning content strategy, speaker recruitment and commercial partnerships. Built high-profile agendas featuring senior industry leaders while consistently exceeding delegate and revenue targets.
Designed and delivered content programmes and startup initiatives for one of the world's leading fintech events. Built relationships across banks, investors and startups to create market-leading content and launch the inaugural Money20/20 Asia Startup Pitch competition, resulting in 80% of new speakers. Managed multiple responsibilities in a lean team: from content preparation, speaker recruitment, logistics, to website updates, and in the lead-up to 5 roadshow events that include India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.