Institute director, consultant and non-executive director specialising in innovation and creativity  

I am a Professor of Innovation and Creativity at Kingston University, where I am Director of the Design, Arts and Creative Practice Knowledge Exchange and Research Institute.

 

I also work as an independent consultant., offering evidence-based innovation coaching and training based on my book Leading with Creativity (Cambridge University Press). At the centre of this work is the ability to thrive during uncertainty.

 

I have coached leaders and managers at United Talent Agency and Arts Council England, as well as clients in sectors from healthcare to education to real estate. 

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I have also delivered training around the world from Accra to Amman, for instance supporting cultural leaders from Mexico, music industry managers from the Gulf and creative hub leaders from West Africa. 

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Where can I you find my writing?​​

In Distributed Creativity (Palgrave 2019), written as researcher in residence at Digital Catapult, I examined the impact of blockchains on the creative economy. 

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Different Every Time (Serpent’s Tail 2014), my biography of the musician Robert Wyatt, was a BBC Radio 4 book of the week and a book of the year in several national newspapers. ​​​

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What did I do before this? ​​​​

I have a background in the music business, as a member of Passenger (ie: music) and as one half of Grasscut (Ninja Tune, Lo Recordings). I also managed Grasscut, organising European tours, including shows at the Pompidou Centre and Royal Albert Hall, and negotiating sync deals (Google, Mazda, K-mart, HSBC, Nespresso, Boots). 

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I am a non-executive director of the Featured Artists Coalition trade body, alongside members of Blur, Radiohead and Pink Floyd. ​​I have also been a non-executive director of Enterprise Educators UK. ​

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What are my qualifications?​​

I hold an MBA, a PhD in collaborative creativity, and LEGO Serious Play, Scrum and PRINCE2 certifications.

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Anything else?​​​​​​​​​​

I have written for the Guardian, the Independent, the Times and the Financial Times and appeared on the BBC and CNN.

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As well as giving keynotes at academic conferences, I have spoken to industry audiences from KPMG in London to Thomson Reuters in New York.

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My work has been supported by Research England, Office for Students, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Greater London Authority, British Council, Linux Foundation, Institute of Coding, Publicis Media and Blockchain Research Institute. 

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I live with my family in Brighton but also work in London and online. ​​​​​​​​​​

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Outside work, I spend my time climbing (competently) and surfing (incompetently). 

 

Want to chat? Drop me an email.