Specialisms and background

I have extensive experience of operating in both strategic and operational contexts in complex multi stakeholder environments across the public, private, academic and third sectors.

My background and current portfolio includes several specialist areas :

  • arts, creative, media and digital industries
  • regeneration, housing and sustainable communities
  • skills development, training, learning and business support
  • economic development, innovation and knowledge transfer
  • environment and climate change
  • marketing, communications, PR and social media
  • national and international charities
  • the service sector
  • retail

I have worked in regional, sub regional, local, national and international contexts and particularly extensively in the North West as well as in Yorkshire.

I established my consultancy business in January 2006 (initially under my maiden name of Holly Rowan).

Prior to working as an independent consultant I held senior management positions for:

  • Skillset (Sector Skills Council for the creative media industry)
  • Manchester: Knowledge Capital (public private partnership leading on the city region’s global knowledge economy)
  • Groundwork (national environmental regeneration organisation)
  • MAG (international landmine clearance charity)

Prior to that I worked for:

  • Cobbetts (large commercial law firm)
  • Waterstone’s Booksellers
  • OWM Chartered Accountants

Full details of my independent consultancy experience, career history, education and qualifications can be found in my CV.