Design leader and UX specialist.
Mar 2023 - May 2026
Group Head of User Experience
Spirax Sarco (Design Ops, Strategy, Leadership, AI)
As Group Head of UX at Spirax Group (FTSE 100), I transformed design from fragmented, siloed teams into a strategic function. I established a centralised UX capability responsible for experience strategy across the Group's digital portfolio, introduced DesignOps practices to improve efficiency and collaboration, and created Fuse, a design system now adopted by development teams globally.
I also developed SOAR, a Group-wide innovation framework that guides teams from idea to decision. The result: design is now a strategic business function with executive alignment, and the organisation has the operating model and tools to scale delivery effectively.
Jan 2019 - Dec 2022
Head of Product Design
Curtis Fitch/De Beers (Ecommerce, Productivity)
Responsible for all design strategy and execution across a range of digital solutions. I recruited and led the in-house product and design teams, working with additional partners to design all product experiences, including an online auction platform on which more than US$500 million of rough diamonds is sold each year. I was heavily involved in a major digital transformation program with De Beers, including a B2C jewellery marketplace.
Oct 2018 - Mar 2024
Founder, Director
Research & Experience Design Ltd
I founded RED to provide a wide range of consultancy services across product and user research and experience design, working with local agencies, helping them to grow and scale.
Oct 2013 - Oct 2018
Head of User Experience
Iress Ltd (Design Ops)
I grew and led a global team of researchers, UX consultants, visual designers, and front-end developers, introducing design processes and scaleable ways of working. Operating initially as a centralised function, I successfully integrated research and design roles into the main product teams and introduced a global design system.
July 2010 - Oct 2013
Senior Design Manager
BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (Agency)
The UK's largest design and build agency (formerly known as Detica) at the time. I led teams designing solutions for a range of clients, including national security, fintech, telco, health, entertainment, transport and financial services.
2000-2010
Various UX design roles
In-house and agency
Following university, I held design and UX roles at various companies and agencies.
Special Projects
Sept 2018 - Present
Head of Experience
Cheltenham Design Festival
The Cheltenham Design Festival is a blend of talks, panels, and workshops featuring international and local design figures. I am responsible for the overall experience of festival attendees - speakers, visitors, and the students who attend the academy sessions. I occasionally speak at the festival and take part in Q&A panels.
Sept 2019 - Present
Trustee
Cheltenham Design Foundation
The Cheltenham Design Foundation is a charitable trust that serves to promote the benefits of design and creativity to people from all backgrounds. The Design Academy, the Foundation’s free Saturday school for young people, gives 14-16 year olds the opportunity to explore a wide range of creative subjects under the guidance of professional designers.
The culmination of the Academy year is an exhibition of work as well as an awards ceremony at which all students are recognised for their contribution. Academy attendance is high, with the sessions met with extreme positivity by students, parents and teachers.
