About me

I’ve spent over 25 years in hierarchical organisations - first in the military, and now as a Programme Director in local government. Again and again, I have seen progress stall, not through lack of effort, but because of polite resistance.

This isn’t about bad people. It’s about culture - where it can feel safer to agree than to challenge, and easier to delay than to commit. Polite resistance is quiet, but it drains energy, erodes trust, and slows outcomes for communities.

Why I Created ELVO

Through my work, I became convinced that leaders need better tools to recognise and tackle this challenge. That’s why I created ELVO and the Polite Resistance Index (PRI).

The PRI provides leaders with insight into where resistance is showing up. It isn’t about judgment - it’s about creating reflection and highlighting areas where small adjustments can unlock momentum.

The ELVO Flywheel then gives a practical framework for working through those challenges, building cultures of openness, alignment, and sustained progress.

Still working on it

I still work every day inside local government, navigating the same dynamics that the PRI highlights. I continue to work on my own leadership - learning, adjusting, and reflecting on how polite resistance shows up in the teams I lead.

That’s why ELVO is built not just on research or abstract theory, but on real, lived experience.

My Experience and Study

I bring together:

• Military and Local Government Leadership → almost three decades of experience leading in complex, hierarchical organisations.

• MSc in Practice-Based Research → anchoring my approach in effective data collection to surface rich insights.

• Level 7 Executive Coaching & Mentoring (in progress) → deepening my ability to support leaders in reflection and change.

This blend of lived experience and academic study shapes the PRI and Flywheel, making them practical, relevant, and grounded in reality.

My Mission and Vision

My mission is simple: to help highlight to leaders the impacts of polite resistance and give them practical tools to overcome it.

My vision is for every public sector professional to feel able to offer their greatest value - creating happier teams and better outcomes for communities.