Philanthropic Advisory · Community Design · Greater Manchester
I work with funders, foundations and individuals to design giving that moves power, not just money — and with communities to build things that last. Based in Salford. Working across the UK and beyond.
About
I grew up in Salford, and at eleven a charity for working-class young people showed me what communities can do when you create the right conditions for them. I've spent the last decade testing that belief at every level.
I've mobilised £10M+ alongside organisations from Mission 44 to Google, shaped national policy, sat on funders' boards and community advisory panels in the same week, and built programmes reaching over a million people. I hold all of it comfortably — and right now, that range matters.
My work sits at the intersection of philanthropy, community power and systems change. I help funders understand what genuine partnership looks like. I help communities build things that outlast the funding. And I sit in the space between them — translating, designing and holding.
I'm qualified in philanthropic psychology and trained in Deep Democracy facilitation. I bring both to everything I do.
Philanthropic Advisory
I've designed funds from the ground up and helped individuals give with clarity and conviction — which means I understand both sides of the table. Here's what that looks like in practice.
Working with individuals, families and foundations to develop giving strategies that are honest about what they're trying to do — and built to create lasting impact.
Designing funds that are honest about power, responsive to communities, and built to outlast their founding moment. Structure, governance, community involvement, funder relationships.
Forming and facilitating giving circles that bring the right people together and channel resources toward real momentum — unified around shared purpose.
Designing programmes with communities rather than for them — from the first question, not the last one. Built to be owned, not tolerated.
Closing the gap between a corporate's stated values and real-world community impact. CSR that is credible, community-led and built to last beyond the reporting cycle.
Building genuine co-leadership models — structural and cultural change that puts young people in real power, not just a seat at the table.
How I work
Whether I'm advising a funder, facilitating a community process or designing a programme — these are the principles I won't let go of.
Communities closest to the problem already hold most of the answer. The question is never what to do for them — it's what conditions would allow what's already present to grow. I design for that.
Philanthropy that isn't honest about power doesn't shift it. I help funders and organisations make that shift real — transparent about who decides, who benefits and who shapes what gets built.
I'm not interested in programmes communities tolerate or relationships that end when the project does. The measure of good work is whether it carries on without you.
Trusted by
Across philanthropy, social change, corporate impact and government.
Get in touch
Open to conversations about philanthropic strategy, fund design, community programme design, intergenerational co-leadership, speaking and advisory roles.