It’s easy to make grants,
but actually changing things is harder.
I work with philanthropists, foundations and change-makers who want to use funding more effectively, to change society for the better.
My approach gives funders, campaigners, charities and political parties the insight, expertise and connections you need to challenge the status quo.
Photo by Mark Thomas
Funding is only one part of the picture.
What really makes a difference is how funding connects to the wider forces that shape change: politics, law, campaigns and institutions.
My approach brings two decades of experience across philanthropy and media, alongside close ties to the political and legal worlds, to help people: think more clearly, act more strategically, and connect their work to the conditions that shape change.
How I help
I work with people who want to use resources, influence or platforms more effectively in pursuit of social change.
Sharpen funding strategy
I help philanthropists and foundations think more clearly about funding strategies, so they can make more deliberate decisions about where to focus, what to back, and how to make funding go further.
Shape ideas into initiatives
I help turn early thinking into foundations, funds or campaigns that are practical, credible and designed to deliver long-term, sustainable impact.
Build the right relationships
I help people build relationships around the work, connecting them to relevant peers, partners and expertise.
Working through complex or sensitive issues
I support organisations dealing with politically difficult or high-risk situations, where judgement, language and timing matter.
Recent work
Selected advisory work
Liberty
Special advisor to the UK’s pre-eminent civil rights organisation with a primary focus on philanthropy: strategy and communications
World of Philanthropy
Non-Executive Director driving international growth of this leading Dutch publicatin. Author of philanthropy column, ‘Give and Take’.
Fondation de France &
University of Geneva
Chairing philanthropy ‘tribunals’ and expert workshops on media and philanthropy at the European Academy of Strategic Philanthropy gathering of philanthropy CEO's in 2022/24/26.
Pears Foundation
My first job and formative experience in philanthropy was a decade as the inaugural Executive Director of Pears Foundation.
Disrupt Foundation
Mentoring, guidance and support to the incoming CEO focused on effective leadership of a dynamic new family foundation.
Changing Ideas
Building a coherent portfolio of initiatives, projects and grants for this innovative spend down foundation.
Initiatives I’ve co-founded
The Law for Change Fund backs legal actions in the public interest tackling injustice and holding government, public bodies and companies to account when they mis-use their power. Law for Change has backed well over 100 cases since its inception in 2023 with profound and far reaching implications for law and public policy.
The Tenacious Awards provide funding and support to public interest campaigners and journalists working to correct an injustice or expose a story. The £20,000 award and associated support gives campaigners and journalists the freedom to do what they do best.
Equal Civil Partnerships
Together with my partner, Dr Rebecca Steinfeld, I helped overturn the law preventing different sex couples becoming civil partners. The Supreme Court ruling in 'Steinfeld & Keidan v the Secretary of State’ resulted in a change in the law which made civil partnerships available for all – the goal of the Equal Civil Partnerships campaign.
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