Over the last 30 years I have worked with social sector organisations, as charity CEO, as grant maker, in Board roles, as a consultant, and as a writer:
- I am co-convenor of the Better Way.
- I am also a Board member of homeless charity Groundswell.
- I was a panel member of the 2007-18 Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society.
- From 2000 to 2014 I was Chief Executive of Locality (previously the Development Trusts Association) the national network of community organisations.
- I helped to establish Social Enterprise UK (where I was vice Chair for 13 years).
- I also helped to set up the Adventure Capital Fund/Social Investment Business, and was a Board member of Access, the Foundation for Social Investment (2014-18) and Chair of Community Links (2017-18).
- I have been a member of Government advisory groups on localism, social enterprise, and the third sector. From 2011 to 2014 I was co-Chair of the DCLG Communities Partnership Board.
- I have worked as a grant maker for the Baring Foundation (interim CEO), Big Lottery Fund, City Bridge Trust, and Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.
- In the 1990s, working with homeless agencies, I ran Homeless Network, co-ordinated the Rough Sleepers Initiative in London, and set up Off the Streets and into Work.
- I was awarded an OBE in the 2011 New Year Honours List.