I am a specialist consultant working in the housing, care and support sector. From 1999-2006 I was Director of Sitra, the sector's umbrella body. During my time at Sitra I sat on the Supporting People Practitioners Group and Project Board and served as the specialist member for Supporting People on the 2004 Beacon Council scheme. 

Since July 2006 I have worked as a freelance consultant to not-for-profit organisations, specialising in needs identification work for statutory bodies; policy analysis; service review and evaluation; financial modelling; and benchmarking work for both providers and commissioners.

I have worked in the housing, care and support sector for 30 years in a wide variety of operational, development and policy roles. I am an experienced manager and am used to reporting directly to Board level, as well as undertaking strategic planning.

My major strengths include:

• A strong grasp of how policy and funding frameworks impact on practical operation issues in the sector;

• A depth of experience in working with statutory commissioners and policy makers at both local and national level;

• A ready facility with quantitative analysis and the production of financial and performance analysis tools

• Strong communication skills, in terms of both writing and public speaking

• A deeply embedded commitment to the values of the sector, including the values of diversity and choice.