Greater Edinburgh Area
I am a strategic engagement, partnerships and brand leader with experience delivering executive-level programmes, stakeholder engagement and high-profile initiatives across professional services, international organisations and the third sector. In my current role at FWB Executive Search, I lead external engagement activity spanning events, partnerships, executive education programmes, professional networks and brand initiatives. I work closely with senior leaders, boards and strategic partners to deliver engagement programmes that strengthen relationships, support business development and enhance market positioning. My experience spans executive search, international cultural relations and large-scale fundraising, with a track record of delivering complex, high-profile initiatives in politically and culturally sensitive environments. Career highlights include: - Leading executive education programmes and professional networks across Scotland - Delivering international engagement programmes with the British Council, including COP26, and the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale - Leading fundraising campaigns at Social Bite that generated more than £2 million - Developing engagement strategies and campaigns reaching audiences of 200 million+ across 170 countries - Working with senior stakeholders, including government representatives, international delegations, boards and high-profile public figures My work focuses on strategic engagement, partnerships, executive audiences, brand experience and stakeholder-led programmes that combine commercial impact with meaningful audience engagement.
Lead FWB’s external engagement activity across events, partnerships, executive programmes, professional networks and brand within a professional services environment. Key responsibilities: • Lead delivery of 80–100 annual client-facing events and engagement programmes including executive forums, conferences, leadership networks and flagship initiatives • Manage strategic partnerships and professional networks including the Scottish HR Leadership Group, Scottish Finance Leaders Network and Scottish CFO Awards • Oversee executive education programmes delivered in partnership with the University of Edinburgh Business School • Lead brand, digital engagement and external communications activity across events and marketing channels • Design and deliver insight-led engagement programmes aligned to business development and stakeholder engagement objectives • Manage governance, budgets, ROI reporting and engagement performance • Act as a key point of contact for externally facing engagement, supporting stakeholder relationship development • Lead continuous improvement across operational delivery and engagement strategy
Supported FWB’s external engagement activity across events and digital channels, contributing to the development of brand, marketing and stakeholder engagement strategy. Key responsibilities: • Delivered executive education and professional network events across senior and executive audiences • Managed delivery of flagship engagement programmes and client-facing events • Developed and implemented digital and marketing activity, including content and brand communications • Supported stakeholder and partner engagement through events and communications activity • Contributed to operational delivery, reporting and continuous improvement across engagement programmes
Led delivery of FWB’s corporate events portfolio and professional networks, supporting executive engagement and stakeholder relationship development. Key responsibilities: • Delivered client-facing events and engagement programmes for executive and professional audiences • Managed flagship networks and partnerships, including the Scottish HR Leadership Group, Scottish Finance Leaders Network and Scottish CFO Awards • Supported delivery of executive education programmes in partnership with the University of Edinburgh Business School • Coordinated multi-stakeholder events, ensuring high-quality delivery and operational execution • Supported stakeholder engagement activity through events and programme delivery
Led strategic fundraising campaigns and events to drive revenue, engagement, and awareness for Social Bite’s mission to end homelessness. Key achievements: - Delivered the major Christmas fundraising campaign, which generated over £2m in 2023. - Managed the Campaigns Team, providing direction, mentorship and oversight of all projects - Oversaw the planning and delivery of high-profile events to engage donors and partners - Led logistically complex fundraising initiatives nationwide, ensuring seamless delivery and high engagement - Built and maintained relationships with key stakeholders including corporate partners, media and community networks
As the primary contact between the Edinburgh International Culture Summit and the British Council, I lead on facilitating the engagement of international ministerial delegations through the British Council's overseas network, whilst providing insights on cultural diplomacy to Summit partners. Founded in 2012, the Edinburgh International Culture Summit is an initiative of the British Council, Edinburgh International Festival, UK Government, Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament. The 6th edition of the Summit, titled 'Culture and a Sustainable Future', took place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th August 2022 and brought together Culture Ministers, artists and arts leaders from around the world to share ideas, best practice and develop arts and cultural policy.
A key role in curating external engagement activities for the British Council to ensure maximum impact for target audiences and programme outcomes for The Climate Connection campaign. This involved project managing engagement at the 26th UN Climate Conference of Parties (COP26) and a global exhibition showcasing the work of the campaign which has reached 233 million people across 178 countries worldwide. The position has since supported and developed sustainable legacy opportunities for the British Council in the UK and overseas. Key responsibilities included: Financial budget planning and coordination – forecasting, reviews, and reporting Contract management and procurement services Risk management (using tools such as Monitoring Control Checks, RACI and risk registers) Information management Project governance, business assurance and compliance Monitoring M&E systems and Marcoms outputs Reporting against and supporting the review of KPIs based on learning from implementation and management Communications planning Developing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies Supervise and manage teams in addition to developing project work plans Exhibition management, content curation and design Use of project management tools and procedures
This role facilitated an impact led and integrated approach to delivering British Council Scotland's education portfolio. I managed a range of higher education, schools and skills projects and initiatives in support of the country plan. This involved working with a range of stakeholders and partners in Scotland including the Scottish Government and National Agencies, Higher Education Institutions, Schools and Colleges. The role also focused on initiatives with India, China, East Asia, EU Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa as well as supporting Scotland's participation in British Council activity themed around COP26. Key responsibilities included: Support governance and coordinate project planning and delivery across Scotland’s higher education, schools and skill sector whilst developing and maintaining relations with key influential stakeholders Represent the British Council in a range of external forums, networks, and boards Develop and maintain communications plans, ensuring initiatives are visible via regular promotion Project management – develop frameworks, timelines and overseeing management of projects ensuring key outputs will maximise the profile of the British Council and stakeholder engagement Collaborate with colleagues across the UK and global network to build upon prospective cultural relations opportunities within the education sector Work with internal and external stakeholders to maximise engagement opportunities for inbound and outbound government delegation visits Manage project/departmental budgets including month end, financial monitoring, procurement, and payment support Contract management including grant agreements and vendor procurement
Aberdeen International Youth Festival was an annual performing arts festival that attracted over 800 young participating artists from across the world to Scotland for 2-weeks each year. The festival provided an international platform for performers to collaborate through performances, workshops and projects across multiple art disciplines. As Festival Administrator I was responsible for all aspects of the administrative preparation for the annual festival and associated projects. Key responsibilities included: Event management and planning for over 100 events at 45 venues across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire over the 2-week festival period Logistical planning of all board, lodging and transportation Sourcing venues, suppliers and working with creative agencies Overseeing participant registration and selection, as well as providing visa support Obtaining permissions and licenses for events Recruiting and managing event volunteers and staff Finance support - invoicing, purchasing, bulling Office management and general IT support Preparing reports for Trustees and funding organisations
My role as Summer Course Coordinator was an internship with Aberdeen International Youth Festival. It involved working directly with the Chief Executive and Festival Administrator to support administrative tasks in preparation for the annual festival and associated projects. Key responsibilities involved developing participating company schedules, supporting logistical planning of board, lodging and transportation, planning and coordinating all of the festival summer course projects and managing a team of chaperones during the festival period.
A one-month placement to develop an understanding of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. The role involved administrative support in making corporate bookings, drafting feasibility and event reports, using events management software (Cvent), diary management, sourcing venues and suppliers, office management and reception duties.