I am passionate about giving something back to wider society in as many ways as I can through participation in charities, local community groups or alumni groups by using my professional skills,  or as a volunteer or ambassador.

Below and in the following pages you can see the range of organisations and activities that I have devoted or currently devote my personal time to.  A common aim to educate, equip and empower people to see and take advantage of opportunities links them all together. 

I am especially interested in the following causes: arts & culture, economic empowerment, nature and the countryside, environmental disaster and humanitarian relief, poverty alleviation, science & technology, history & culture, empowerment of young adults, internationalism, nature conservation and charities that enhance the quality of life in my local area.

If you are a trustee of a charity or are seeking to establish a charity then I would be delighted to discuss how I could assist or get involved.

In addition to volunteering, I can also provide consulting services focused on: governance structure and legal/regulatory compliance, creation of management information, trustee and executive effective team working, strategy development and retail loss prevention.

Kennet Radio

I am a volunteer presenter on Kennet Radio which broadcasts on 106.7FM in the Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford areas and available on the internet.

This has been great experience, I have learnt the technical aspects of radio show preparation and have gained enormous confidence in presenting my shows. My shows are a combination of live and recorded interviews and music. This has also been a great opportunity to build my local network.

I am currently a Non-Executive Director of Newbury Almshouse Trust, which owns approximately 50 listed Almsbouse properties at 4 sites close to the centre of Newbury.

I provide Risk Management, Governance, and Strategic advice to the board as well as constructively challenge the operations and the finance probity of the organisation. I find this role rewarding as I am interested in heritage property and the housing well being of individuals.

Mental Health is a subject that I am passionate about. Eight Bells For Mental Health is members led charity that provides peer support for adults of all ages through its ‘drop-in’ centres which are open at least twice weekly. Members meet. talk and perform a wide range of activities including art, cookery, nature and meditation.

I was a trustee of the charity formulating and advising on Strategy, Governance, Structure and Risk Management until the point when it revised its legal structure to become a Community Interest organisation at which point I stood down as a Trustee and chose not to stand as a Director.

Working Knowledge

Working Knowledge works with Further Education Colleges to prepare students for the workplace. 

I provided the leaders of the next generation advice on networking strategies and the core skills required to build their careers.  I have also worked with lecturers in class content plans to help ensure the right soft skills are being taught.  I provide 2-3 days each year to help Working Knowledge.

Henley Business School - Ambassador For MBA Programmes

During my MBA Programme I was an ambassador for the business school at MBA Fairs and Preview Days. 

After a 4 year break this year I have re-connected with Henley Business School and continue to act as an ambassador at MBA Preview Days.  I give 4-5 Saturday's each each to help Henley Business School.

Lattitude Global Volunteering

My work with Latitude Global Volunteering involved working with the Chief Executive and Head of Operations to develop a strategy that could increase engagement with universities, and employers to ensure that the skills developed would best fit their needs, could be something that employers could consider sponsoring and that the overseas placement could be seen as an attractive proposition for young adults when faced with the choice between earning money to pay the higher costs of attending university or taking an overseas placement.

I no longer volunteer with Lattitude Global Volunteering, as I have other causes that need my time and skills.

Henley Business School - Coach To Members of Other MBA Programmes

I was able to coach members of other and future cohorts to aid them with regard to making optimal use of facilities and supplement their lecture note materials.

I no longer coach cohort members, though I am on the Henley Business School list of approved mentors.  Henley aim to partner alumni with current students in a new programme which is being launched in October 2016.

South Africa - St Georges

During the MBA Programme I led a consulting assignment to develop a new strategy which would enable 4 orphanages to deliver their work more effectively.  The interest of the children was key to the solution which identified new sources of finance, new partners and more effective use of resources through developing shared services functions.

I no longer volunteer with St.Georges, although I keep in contact with their management team.  I plan to re-engage with them as part of a holiday project in future when time and other resources allow.

Other Volunteering

When I was younger I was a member of a national youth organisation which was a member of a European Union and Global Youth organisation.  I was a national executive member, financial vice-chair, international vice-chair and represented the youth organisation in United Nations and European Union recognised international youth organisations for many years.  Amongst other things I organised conferences with participants from 37 different countries in a number of locations throughout the UK.