Board-level digital and AI expertise
when you need it
I bring 25 years of commercial digital experience, an MBA and a practical understanding of AI into boardrooms where technology is reshaping the business but the board needs someone who can bridge the gap between strategy and execution.
What I bring to a board
Most boards recognise that digital transformation and AI are critical to their future. Fewer have a non-executive director who actually understands how these technologies work, what they cost and where the real risks sit.
I do. I have spent over two decades building digital systems, scaling ecommerce operations, managing complex IT programmes and advising leadership teams on technology strategy. I founded and ran a digital agency. I have sat on executive boards. I understand the commercial pressures, the governance requirements and the gap between what technology vendors promise and what they actually deliver.
Now I work with AI every day, helping organisations identify where it creates value and where it introduces risk. That combination of deep digital experience and current AI fluency is what I bring to a board.
I am not a passive observer. I ask the questions that need asking and I explain the answers in language everyone around the table can understand.
AI governance and opportunity
I help boards understand where AI creates genuine value, where it introduces risk and what responsible adoption looks like in practice.
Risk, data and compliance
Experience with GDPR implementation, FCA marketing regulations, data security and SC-level security clearance for public sector and defence work.
Digital strategy challenge
I can assess whether a digital strategy is realistic, properly resourced and commercially sound. I know what good delivery looks like because I have done it myself.
Commercial acumen
I understand accounts, MI reporting, board-level financials and the commercial realities of running a business. I have built ecommerce departments from £20m to £80m turnover.
Growth and turnaround
Track record of guiding organisations through growth, transition and in some cases to acquisition. I know what it takes to prepare a business for sale.
Executive and board-level track record
I have held executive board positions and senior leadership roles in organisations ranging from PLC subsidiaries to startups. Here is a selection of the most relevant experience.
Superbreak Holidays Ltd
Internet development manager, executive board
Part of the executive board at Superbreak (Holidaybreak PLC), the UK's largest leisure short break hotel provider with £140m annual turnover, 60% generated online. Controlled IT and internet development teams, managed hosting contracts and outsourced development across the UK, India and Russia.
£40m → £80m online revenue in 3 years
Braid Consulting Ltd
Founding director, 2010 to 2024
Full digital marketing and online strategy for clients across construction, financial services, charity, travel, fintech and ecommerce. Often acting as in-house digital director or chief digital officer for client organisations.
CDS (Corporate Document Services)
Head of internet services
Part of the executive management team responsible for all internet services across Leeds and Cheltenham. Budgets, resources, delivery, client relationships and pitching across central government, defence, construction and local government sectors.
1968 Limited
Digital experience consultant, 2010 to present
AI consulting and digital project management across building supplies, financial services, digital agencies and ecommerce. Worked with multiple agencies on growth, turnaround and exit strategies, including one that sold in December 2015.
Previous non-executive positions
I have held two positions recently that combine governance responsibilities with my areas of expertise in digital, community and social impact.
I am actively looking to add to my NED portfolio and welcome conversations with organisations where digital strategy, AI readiness or technology governance would benefit from a non-executive perspective grounded in practical experience.
Harrogate Neighbours Housing Association
Governance role on the board of a housing association, with additional responsibilities on the risk and audit committee where my experience with data security, compliance and operational risk is directly relevant.
DementiaNet CIC
Director of a community interest company providing an online platform for people affected by dementia. Involved from initial concept through to launch, fundraising (over £220k raised to date) and ongoing development.
Visit DementiaNet →
Qualifications and governance skills
My professional qualifications and clearances sit alongside practical governance experience that has been built through years of executive board membership, risk committee work and regulatory compliance across multiple sectors.
MBA, Liverpool University
PRINCE2 Practitioner
Security cleared to SC level (lapsed)
MBA, Liverpool University
Google Certified Professional
Google Digital Analytics Fundamentals
GDPR implementation experience
Sector experience
I have worked at a senior level across a wide range of industries. The common thread is organisations where digital and technology are central to commercial performance and where boards need someone who understands both.
Not sure where to start?
Most clients begin with a conversation. No pitch, no hard sell.
Just a straightforward discussion about where you are and whether I can help.