About
I’m an Innovation Lead and Customer Experience Designer with 13 years of experience in organisational problem solving, and multiple facets of design including, design research, innovation strategy, portfolio design and execution, from validation to solution delivery as well as industrial design, graphic design and art direction.
I thrive on transforming complex and ambiguous challenges into compelling, human-centred solutions. With a unique blend of strategic thinking and creative design expertise, I help organisations navigate uncertainty and drive meaningful change, where often, no single solution exists.
My approach
I believe that the best solutions emerge when we understand the human element of any challenge. My work combines analysis with creative problem-solving, always keeping the end user at the heart of the process. Whether I'm redesigning customer experiences or developing new service solutions, I bring a methodical and creative approach to every project, blending principles of agile, design and systems thinking and lean testing.
Bridging the gap between vision and execution
My experience in design and innovation leadership has given me a distinctive perspective on problem-solving. I'm equally comfortable diving into detailed design work as I am shaping high-level strategy. This versatility allows me to bridge the gap between vision and execution, ensuring that innovative ideas translate into practical, impactful solutions.
Leading an award-nominated water efficiency programme that combined behavioral science with innovative technology solutions
Delivering complex organizational change projects that resulted in £10m in commercial savings
Injecting innovation and creativity in a highly regulated, technical environment to deliver successful customer experience improvements.
Industrial design
I worked for 7 years within the manufacturing industry as a cocktail and light catering equipment designer, often testing the tools with the most delicious drinks! Ask me for tips on how to create a perfect home bar toolbox!
During this time, I've taken projects form an initial idea through to manufacture and I oversaw successful product range launches within international and UK production chain.
I developed products for in-house brand Bonzer, and created customised and bespoke products for clients such as Costa Coffee, Moët Hennessy, Gentleman Jack, Chase Distillery and Campari. During this time I also honed my skills in identifying and incorporating user needs in the products and experiences we offered.
Innovation
In 2015 I became interested in innovation and organisational problem-solving, at strategic and tactical levels. I completed MSc in Design Innovation Management at Loughborough University in London.
I became particularly interested in measuring the innovation capability and developing strategic recommendations for improving innovation performance. Internal and external factors influence the ability to capture opportunities but businesses can develop capabilities to create long-term value in their companies. I believe that by developing creative skills and managing resistance, leaders can systematically move out of their comfort zone to grow and succeed. The innovation process helps to understand the challenges and abstract from them so that you can reorient what you know and embrace the constraints you need to operate within.
My expertise
I specialise in:
Innovation Strategy & Management
Service Design and customer experience
Design for behaviour change
Strategic Problem-Solving
Human-Centered Design and Research
Value proposition design
Prototyping and lean testing
Change Management
Design thinking coaching
Facilitation and moderation
Cross-functional team leadership
Achievements
Finalist: Market Research Society Sustainability Award 2024
Industry commended Spring Innovation Showcase – Southern Water: An Action-Based Approach To Reducing Customer Water Use.
Finalist: South East Institute of Water Innovation Awards 2022 – Metals and Chemicals – non-end of pipe alternatives to emerging pollutants.
Paper titled ‘Design and Innovation Capability Audit in a Small Family-Owned Firm‘ presented at R&D Management Conference 2018 in Milan (Italy).
Paper titled ‘Design as a Catalyst for Change – Towards Strategically Embedded Design in SMEs’ presented at ADIM Conference 2019 in London under Track 3 – Transforming design values: Measuring and communicating the value of design..
Get innovating
Do you want to find out more about how innovation and creative problem-solving techniques can help your company grow and succeed? Get in touch.
Creativity beyond work
When I'm not designing, you'll find me expressing my creativity through contemporary landscape painting. I love painting, capturing beauty of landscapes with brushes and palette knives. Think visible brush strokes, and thick, sculpted layers. I exhibited at The Sussex Contemporary and I'm part of the INDIVisible Art Collective based in Cucmere Cottages.