Who we are


  • Co-founder Yes We Can, North East Coaching Collective and North East Together

    Since 1993… working and volunteering across public, arts, cultural, voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors; chair and trustee at Youth Focus: North East

    My past roles include

    • Owner/director, People Purpose Planning (2011-2020)

    • Development Director, Co-director, Director, Chief Executive, Helix Arts (1999-2011)

    My professional qualifications and memberships include

    • ILM advanced programme in action learning facilitation

    • NE Coaching Collective coach

    • ILM level 5 Certificate in coaching and mentoring

    • Diploma in management

    • BA (Hons) fine art, Northumbria University

  • Co-founder Yes We Can and North East Coaching Collective and co-lead North East Together

    Since 1996… working and volunteering across voluntary, charity and social enterprise sectors; vice-chair and trustee at Scotswood Garden.

    My past roles include

    • Sharing Learning Doing social innovation studio (2014-2020)

    • Associate, Trapeze Consulting (2014-2018)

    • Supporting and developing manager, Newcastle CVS (now Connected Voice (2006-2014)

    My professional qualifications and memberships include

    • Action learning facilitator training

    • NE Coaching Collective coach

    • ILM Level 5 Certificate in coaching and mentoring

    • RSA Fellow

    • School for Social Entrepreneur Start Up programme, SSE StartUp Fellow

    • NVQ Level 4 in management

    • BA (Hons) accountancy, Northumbria University