Until recently he was Head of Creative Industries at the Knowledge Transfer Network, the business engagement agency of Innovate UK, working in the fields of creative industries, digital technology, innovation and creative-led R&D. 

His particular interest and experience is in how policy makers can best grow the creative economy to maximise the benefits for all, particularly through innovation support and regeneration initiatives. Prior to this he worked with the Greater London Authority to help produce the Mayor’s Cultural Strategy and was Head of Creative Industries at the London Development Agency, over-seeing a budget of approximately £12m of capital, business support, promotion and skills investment in London’s creative industries. 

He co-chaired the Creative Industries Council’s Working Group on Regions and Clusters from 2015 to 2020, and is on the editorial board of the academic journal Cultural Trends. 

His second novel, The Planner was published by Bloomsbury in 2015 and he writes regularly for The Guardian and other media on the subject of city planning and culture.