CV
Work
2023 - ongoing: TU Dresden, Postdoc
Researching sustainable innovation processes at the TU Dresden Faculty of Business and Economics. For example, qualitative methods explore a multi-disciplinary research consortium project up to December 2024.
2023 - ongoing: INDEED innovation, Action Research Collaborator
INDEED and I collaborate on research with the goal to better understand innovation practices. The research collaboration builds on the previous employment at this circular innovation agency.
2023: CIRCULÉIRE, Sustainable Circular Economy Systems Expert
5 months secondment from INDEED Innovation to Irish Manufacturing Research, the secretariat of CIRCULÉIRE, to assist in developing the strategic roadmap for a National Centre for Excellence for Circular Innovation. Core competencies used are systems thinking and transition management, applied to scaling industry-led circular innovation across the Republic of Ireland.
2022 - 2023: TU Dresden, Strategic Research Partner
Collaborating on the impact of sustainable innovation processes with the chair for sustainability assessment and policy.
2021 - 2023: INDEED innovation, Director Sustainable Circularity
Working with the team and clients to build sustainable circular innovation capability. Strategic role with internal transformation responsibilities; design and lead of client projects with a focus on generating maximum sustainable circularity impact. Leading involvement in successful 2022 EU Interreg North Sea Call 2, Priority area 2 ‘Green Transitions’ consortium project proposal ‘Circular Economy Office’ about circularity in public office furniture across 7 EU States.
2018 - 2022: Leuphana University, Postdoc
Researching and teaching aspects of business sustainability management at the Leuphana University Lüneburg. I was based at the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM) with Prof. Stefan Schaltegger and focused on innovation for sustainability, Circular Economy as umbrella concept, and experimenting with business value propositions. My teaching included:
Experimentation for Sustainable Business Models [Master Seminar]
Cradle to Cradle Entrepreneurship [Bachelor Seminar; 50/50 shared responsibility with Prof. Michael Braungart]
Sustainability Accounting, Reporting and Supply Chain Management [Master Seminar]
2017 - 2018: FREELANCE SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT
Freelance consultancy projects include refining the service offer for B2B air pollution startup Emsol and case study research on the German energy system transition for a project led by the Children Investment Fund Foundation.
2015 - 2019: Nascent Training Ltd, Co Founder
Co-founder of this health and fitness technology project, targeting runners and cyclists. I led the business development, customer engagement and investor relationships.
2013 - 2017: Imperial College London, Seminar Lecturer
Teaching MSc students at the Centre for Environmental Policy. I delivered 1.5 to 3 hour sessions, including:
Characteristics of radical sustainability-oriented innovation
Triple bottom line value creation through business innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship
Qualitative Research Methods
2011 - 2015: The Golden Company, Director
This social enterprise worked with young people at risk of social exclusion. I refined the corporate offer, led the 2012 accredited entrepreneurship course, and furthered relationships with partners such as the London Stock Exchange Group and London Borough Market.
2006 - 2012: Forum for the Future, Principal Innovation Advisor
Innovation for sustainability through product and service development with this independent non-profit working with business and government. I worked with great teams during long-term relationships with John Lewis Partnership, Sony Ericsson, eBay Europe, Panasonic, Sony Europe, and I project managed the Telefónica O2 UK Eco Rating project (Version 1). I learned more about how to pursue innovation activities to operationalise approaches such as ‘Systems Thinking’ and ‘Critical Friend Consultancy’ through projects (including Board level) with HSH Group, Unilever, and PepsiCo International.
2005: WSP Group, Data Co-Ordinator
I refined and produced key performance indicators about the North London road network for WSP Civils, the design engineering and management consulting services.
2004: United Nations Environment Programme, Intern
Created a preliminary research report on the impacts of the global clothing industry for the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (now defunct) in Paris. This research report report was, at the same time, my Masters dissertation.
2000 - 2003: Ripple Farm Organics, Farmhand
I worked part time at this small organic, horticultural farm throughout my Bachelor studies in Kent, UK. As well as harvesting and planting, I delivered produce to London shops in the early morning before lectures commenced.
Education
PhD, Imperial College London
December 2012 - April 2017
Transdisciplinary research at the intersection of sustainability science, innovation processes , lean startup thinking and sustainable entrepreneurship
Research Group led and coordinated by the University of Cambridge Centre for Industrial Sustainability
Fully funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Additional personal research budget from Climate-KIC, the EU’s main climate innovation initiative
Passed with ‘no corrections’
Master of Science, Imperial College London
September 2003 - August 2004
MSc Environmental Technology, specialised in Global Environmental Change and Policy
Gained a comprehensive understanding of the scientific, legal and policy concerns informing the domain of global environmental change
Master thesis term completed whilst interning with the UN Environment Programme in Paris
Bachelor of Science, Imperial College at Wye, KEnt, UK
September 2000 - June 2003
BSc Business and Environment
Taught at the now defunct Wye College campus, the BSc covered business basics such as strategy, marketing and finance with additional subjects such as environmental economics and environmental pollution
Apprenticeship, Waste Manager, Rendsburg, Germany
Practical and theoretical training between 1997-2000 through the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs). Covered all technical and chemical aspects of waste management.
Skills
Lecturing, university course design, workshop facilitation, conference speaking
Project management of complex and multi-stakeholder projects, with proven ability to deliver impactful outcomes
Qualitative research design and execution; usually with an underpinning agile approach
Full Windows suite of tools, Qualitative Data Analysis software
Useful IT skills (e.g. this website)
Fluent in English and German, basic Mandarin (HSK 1 and 2), plus a completely useless basic grasp of Latin