I am one of the founders of Corven, a UK/USA based management consulting and investment firm as well as being on the Board of Trustees of two charities.

I joined VSF because I fundamentally believe that there is a real benefit for all professionals who support charities and many charities have the need for professional support - a genuine win-win. 

I have been working with the Vital Spark Forum since 2005 and am excited to be now heading the Communications and Development efforts in VSF's new phase of growth.

VSF's mission is one of unvaluable potential to both charities and to people who are willing to help while learning in the process, and we are committed to keep attracting a wealth of enthusiastic, creative and experienced people to our project.

Whilst VSF is my night-time job, I have been working in Barclays Capital for the past couple of years, currently as a part of the Public Sector Solutions group. My previous work experience includes project management forthe Dutch NGO FairFood, independant consultancy and a few years as a corporate lawyer with Baker&McKenzie in Brazil.

My career has been in higher education, mainly in the University of Cambridge, where I was for twelve years, until 2003, Secretary General of the Faculties and before that for many years I taught economics within management studies. I remain a Fellow of Emmanuel College and am currently Secretary-General of the League of European Research Universities.

In the past two years I have developed a portfolio of roles in the voluntary sector. These include: Chairman of the Trustees of Cambridge & District Citizens Advice Bureau; Trustee of Citizens Advice; Trustee of the Bedford Charity: and Chairman of the Board of Vital Spark Forum.

I was attracted to my role in VSF by the combination of the enormous benefit that the members of the VSF Bank of Talent bring to the charities and NGOs with which they work and the great challenge that there is in successfully initiating, developing and sustaining these partnerships in a way in which the individuals involved are able to commit for only so long as they are able to do so but those with whom they work have certainty that what is promised is delivered. The voluntary sector is full of challenges but some of those faced by VSF are particulary challenging and therefore especially rewarding.

The Caspari Foundation  is the charity for which I act as the Vital Spark liaison officer. For them Vital Spark has recently provided strategic advice about fund raising, governance and IT.

During my career I have mostly worked with in the health industry and I have lived in a number of countries to manage related businesses.  In this field I have also been actively involved in development of community partnership programmes, bringing together government authorities, universities, the private sector, not for profit and non governmental organisations.  I am also engaged in the promotion of ethical entrepreneurship and values in business.

I am a founding member, chief executive and on the board of trustees of Vital Spark Forum, where I work in an atmosphere of enthusiasm, creativity, drive and commitment created by our members.

My wife Mary (who is an accomplished artist) and I have three children and enjoy travelling as much as time permits.