For 25 years, I was an elected politician holding senior leadership roles at Birmingham City Council, the country’s largest local authority.
In 2023, I became Leader of Birmingham City Council at its lowest point: a Section 114 bankruptcy notice, a £300 million budget deficit, and an ongoing equal pay crisis that had already cost the city over £1 billion. I led the turnaround — closing the deficit, reforming services and governance, and doing it without cutting libraries or Council Tax Support for struggling families.
I’ve led through crisis at the highest level: stabilising a city in turmoil, making tough decisions under pressure and driving its recovery. I’ve learned a lot about leadership and resilience along the way - and that’s why I’m now helping leaders and organisations to navigate their own challenges with clarity, confidence and purpose.
Delivering growth in every postcode
I’ve championed inclusive growth throughout my career — driving major regeneration schemes like the £4bn Birmingham Sports Quarter and Smithfield, and working with regional and national partners to unlock investment and accelerate infrastructure to create new jobs, homes and opportunities in every neighbourhood.
I worked closely with the West Midlands Mayor on the “Rosewell Review”, to fix the delivery of transport projects and ensure that new investment was targeted in the places that needed it most.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is rightly ambitious to deliver “growth in every postcode”. I’ve built partnerships and driven projects that show how we can make that ambition a reality.
Working for change: locally, nationally and internationally
I’ve shaped and delivered policy at city, regional, national and international levels: served on the West Midlands Combined Authority Board, Core Cities Cabinet, the Local Government Association’s City Regions Board and Inclusive Growth Policy Committee.
Internationally, I chaired the Eurocities Social Affairs Forum and represented the UK on the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. As national chair of Labour Housing Group I also contributed to shaping housing policy as Labour prepared to return to government at the 2024 election.
Experienced, respected and gets things done
Today I'm a Senior Adviser at 5654 & Company, helping organisations navigate devolution and drive growth, alongside independent consulting for leaders tackling complex change.
I am a Kings Fund Nexus alumnus (spending time at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as part of the programme) and an Associate of Birmingham University’s City Region Economic Development Institute, contributing on inclusive growth, community development and issues affecting local and regional partnerships.
And yes, I remain a very proud born and bred Brummie, and Honorary Alderman of the city I’ve always called home. My passion for my city drives me to help others who want to lead and make change happen in the places they care about too.
