Leanne

WORK HISTORY

ABOUT LEANNE

Before I ever sat at a board table, I learned the value of innovative design from the ground up. In a Midlands playground, the response to injuries on hard tarmac was to shrink the children’s play area. At just seven years old, I recognised this as an opportunity for change and advocated for an alternative. This early lesson that we can redesign environments rather than just manage limitations continues to guide my work with boards and senior leaders today.I am the Architect of Possibilities – a board-level, NED-ready leader, Board Member, Committee Chair, and strategic advisor known for navigating complex, high-risk decisions.My journey has taken me from a deprived Midlands neighbourhood to influential roles in the UK, Brussels, Baghdad and Dubai. Over 20+ years, I have:*Spearheaded transformational change and growth strategies in challenging markets*Navigated international expansion and investment in politically and culturally sensitive contexts*Advanced sustainability and long-term value by aligning risk management with reputation and impactIndustry focus and experienceI’ve applied this work across energy and utilities, infrastructure and place‑based development, and sustainability‑driven commercialisation of technology – including major infrastructure and regeneration programmes, energy and utilities strategies, and bringing new, sustainability‑linked technologies to market.What I offer to boards and executive teams:*A distinct lens – Lived experience and global work in high-stakes environments that drive fresh insight and more robust strategic thinking*Strategic clarity – Cutting through noise and legacy assumptions to frame the crucial questions that guide decisions*Intelligent challenge – Identifying risks, trade-offs and blind spots so leaders can make informed, accountable choices*Momentum from constraints – A track record of turning “this is just how it is” into “here’s what we do next”Alongside my board and committee work, I partner with CEOs and senior teams through my advisory practice, helping them navigate complex, high-stakes strategic challenges where risk, reputation and impact intersect.In addition to my executive and advisory roles, I actively share insights on sustainability and leadership. Recent speaking highlights include:Bartlett Promise Scholarship Programme, Speaker, UCL, 2024Distinguished Alumni, Keynote Speaker, UCL Graduation (Bartlett School of Architecture), 2023Keynote Speaker, UCL Annual Sustainability Awards, 2022Follow me to get my latest articles.