The way communities, companies and organisations make decisions should follow their values, resources and ambitions to create sustainable change. Balancing financial constraints with adaptable and representative structures is key to the viability of new or evolving projects.
Governance isn’t created from a blank slate – there are existing networks, organisations and relationships which can help get ideas off the ground. Understanding these and avoiding duplication in the earliest planning stages can prevent roadblocks later on.
I’ve enjoyed working to bring stakeholders together around formal and informal governance structures in diverse settings:
Mary-Helen’s support was invaluable throughout… She brought structure, expertise, and an independent perspective that helped us engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Since launching the strategy, we have had a clear framework that is helping shape our work across the borough… I would not hesitate to recommend her to other local authorities or organisations looking to develop a meaningful and impactful night-time strategy.
Miguel Campbell-Lewis, Late-night Levy Manager, Hackney Nights
National Cultural Framework proposition
Client: Local Government Association / Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association
With Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy I helped shape a proposition to align cultural support and funding across every tier of government — setting out where responsibility for culture should sit as devolution and local government reorganisation reshape the map.
Hackney 6PM-6AM Strategy
Client: Hackney Council / Hackney Nights
Working closely with Hackney Nights, we convened a Night Forum composed of businesses, residents and social services. The Night Forum discussed an advised the council on wellbeing, creating a welcoming atmosphere, promoting a diverse and inclusive culture, improving travel and safety, and supporting businesses in the evening and night time. The Night Forum became the ongoing working group for the Council to manage the implementation of the strategy in partnership with the community.
Bristol Music Fund
Client: Bristol City Council / Bristol Nights
Winner – Music Policy at the Music Cities Awards 2026
The Bristol Music Fund is a groundbreaking initiative which puts the grassroots music sector in control of funding to support its resilience. Working with PRD, I led a co-design process over a series of in-depth workshops to design the Fund and its governance in line with the sector’s principles. These included ensuring the Fund would be fair and transparent in its decisions. We recommended a Community Benefit Society model to guide the Fund which ensured shared ownership and and inclusive representation within its governance.