I love the variety of working in international philanthropy. One day I can be working in Palestine to secure funding for a new museum there. The next I could be talking to a US foundation about supporting young medical researchers in Africa. And the following week I might be in Kyoto having discussions with an academic, a prospect and the Emperor’s granddaughter. It’s a privilege to work with such brilliant people to make brilliant ideas come to life.

For me, fundraising is simple. The challenge is always to keep it that way. It starts with a good idea that can transform a cause or an institution. It’s about vision and leadership, shaping and telling a compelling story. And it’s about finding the right people and resources. Bringing all these elements together to create the momentum you need to achieve something is extraordinary.

Some I've worked with recently

• Association of Commonwealth Universities
• The International Committee of the Red Cross
• Rory & Elizabeth Brooks Foundation
• Royal College of Physicians
• Scaling Up Nutrition

Years of fundraising experience: 19

Talents

• International fundraising in Europe, Africa, Asia, the US and the Middle East
• International development charities
• Small to medium-sized charities
• UK universities and alumni relations
• The financial side of fundraising (thanks to my accountancy background)
• Strategy and leadership
• Writing creative and compelling copy
• Major gift fundraising
• Expedition fundraising
• Planning and processes

Before More

• First degree in mathematics at the University of Exeter
• Volunteer teacher and HIV/AIDS programme manager for VSO in northern Nigeria
• Trainee accountant at KPMG
• Fundraising manager for Turning Point
• Head of fundraising for AMREF UK
• Director of development and alumni relations for SOAS
• Founder and expedition leader of Cycle Africa
• MSc Violence, Conflict and Development at SOAS
• Freelance fundraising consultant

Outside More

• Trustee of AMREF UK
• Taking the family off to Africa, South America, Europe, Asia or the Middle East – our last long trip was in a campervan around Scandinavia with a 12-week old baby
• Photography, especially as part of the travel experience
• Still recovering from Cycle Africa, our 17,000-kilometre, year-long, cycle ride from London to Cape Town through 29 countries in a year, which raised £50,000 for our five partner charities and generated nearly 100 national press, television and radio articles on the issues faced by the children living on Africa’s streets