Background

I have been working in the tech and design space for nearly 25 years and have watched an industry grow and mature.

I started my journey at Taylor Nelson Sofres (now Kantar TNS) in the late 90s, a global market research company where I wrote and coded call centre scripts. It was this early meeting between technology and data capture that opened my eyes to how objective research can inform product decisions. It was during my time here that I learned HTML and worked with senior leaders to build their first forward facing website.

My next post saw me use my new skillset as I joined a smaller outfit, ThinkHDI, as a Database Manager with responsibility for building a database led website of events and articles.

My final, technical, post before forming my own agency was to work for Intermedia Marketing to create a department with designers and developers and create a marketing plan for attracting digital sales to a traditionally print and data company. I was in this role for nearly five years before I ventured out to do the same for myself. All of this before I turned 30.

Recent employment and experience

Founder and Design Director of Squiders

June 2008 — June 2018

I spent 10 years running my own agency with a team of 6 assisting me until purchased.

It was here I honed my approach to running digital projects, introducing a research and evidence based approach.

During this period I also created and hosted a popular design podcast, appeared in numerous press articles and spoke at many events to promote my business and pass on knowledge to my peers. There was a strong representation of my view that the web should be for everyone and the importance of accessibility in everything we do.

It was the process and strong client relationships which made Squiders a desirable company to purchase.

Head of Design at Kayo Digital

June 2018 — March 2022

My role at Kayo was Head of Design, the scope of my role not entirely encapsulated by the title, let me describe a project flow and my role in leading it.

• Leading the response to initial enquiries and arranging a project discovery meeting
• Liaising with development teams to understand current schedule and technical considerations
• Producing a detailed, costed, proposal
• Running stakeholder meetings
• Commissioning and guiding research
• Leading the design process (a hands-on approach)
• Presenting and explaining direction of on-going design work for client sign off
• Producing thorough documentation for development team hand over
• Maintaining my relationship with the client throughout the development build to ensure a timely delivery and answer any on-going questions
• Post release I ensure the digital marketing team have all the information they require.

In addition to this I am part of all management meetings discussing strategy, marketing, PR and direction.

Over the last 3 years I have helped with significant business growth, despite Covid-19, through client relationship building, networking and writing.

Creative Director at Ubiq Education

March 2022 — present

Ubiq Education is a start up working exclusively with independent schools in the UK, USA and Middle East

My current role tasked me with setting up the creative process along with research and creating creative concepts.

• Meeting with clients to establish goals
• Undertaking research gathering, reporting and presenting results to my client
• Creating a creative direction with supportining visuals and presenting internally and to my client
• Leading the design process (a hands-on approach)
• Presenting creative visuals to my client's senior leadership team, both in person and online
• Advising and liaising with my client over content, through text as well as photoshoot guides
• Producing thorough documentation for development team hand over.

A strong first year has already seen Ubiq sign over £1m in new business.

Summary

I consider myself a designer first but know that a designer is much more than a pixel wrangler and needs to have an appreciation of how design fits into the whole. A designer should have the ability to explain the (often) complex in easy to understand ways and understand how to use research to educate stakeholders as to why decisions have been made.

I know enough frontend and backend development to understand what options I have when solving a problem, I did code this site myself, albeit took a little longer than it did a few years ago where I am out of practice!

A designer needs to leave ego at the door, design is goal driven and research, accessibility and brand guidelines should determine the canvas your work will appear on.

By hiring me you not only get an experienced designer with years of team leadership, you also get a communicator and brand ambassador who enjoys writing and speaking on design and accessibility.