Thinking about the meetings and conversations I had today, there is a v British tendency to politely smooth things over, to make things acceptable, & it seems very important and urgent that everyone in UK tech (and esp in tech policy) normalises calling out fascism and scrutinising bad behaviour

This is a fairly general purpose post, but what a dispiriting time
it is to be a sensible person.

The conversations were full of incredible enthusiasm for what DiversityUK can do to change the face of business, shape our future leaders and ensure that diversity isn't just a nice to have but fundamental.

Small rebellions everyday, can change the world. Showing up in the spaces that aren't designed for us, shapes the future for the next generation.

Yesterday I had the pleasure dining at the House of Lords on behalf of Diversity UK

Did I wear gold sneaks? Yes

Am I heavily pregnant? Yes

Is this a space that's made for me? No

Did I show up anyway? Yes

One of my favourite things is seeing schools out on school trips to amazing cultural venues and museums. Nothing makes me happier than seeing that little queue of little people exploring big ideas.

Currently sat in the South Bank Centre and so many little people taking it in.

Beautiful.

I think my favourite thing about #servicedesign is the number of Venn diagrams to help explain complicated systems and structures.

I love a Venn.

Really depends on what vibe you're going for. We did mid week and cheap venue and put more money into a reception. If you know the location roughly you can do searches for smaller venues as price is often dictated by the venue size. We did small venue then the pub before a reception a few days later

But is a pretty good motivator 😂

Happy to say that I've made it onto the top 50 Northern Gamechangers as part of Elevate GM.

It's been a tough couple of years, returning from mat leave, going full throttle as a consultant and growing and business and now gearing up for bambino #2.

This couldn't have come at a more important time.

Is British street food basic burgers and chips?

Is that what you get in food halls abroad when it's British street food? Like here when you get bhan mi or samosas?

How embarrassing.

Where can I buy one?

I'm so excited today to be at Cool Farm Alliances AGM in #Amsterdam, where I'm speaking about #inclusion and #climatejustice in #agritech and what it means for the future of #farming and #soil!

Excited doesn't cover it.

People first, always – People first, always Labour has stated its ambition to use technologies to transform public services during its first term in government. This is a welcome and much needed commitment - but the critical improvements the UK...

How can the UK build the Government Digital Service 2.0?

6 practical recs for the next UK govt, drawing on a brilliant network of experts, to help Labour get going on day 1.

Co-authored with @sarahtgold.bsky.social and @drnataliebyrom.bsky.social
peoplefirsttech.org

I'm on the lookout for my next contract. If you're looking for service design support, facilitation or design leadership then let me know!

#design #servicedesign

Thank you!

Happy to say that I'm on BBC radio 5 this morning! Talking about all my work with Honey Badger and what we're doing to make the world a better place

Wish me luck. It's been a long time and an early start.

#publicspeaking #radio #wakeuptomoney

Thank you!

So some of the things I'll be doing this year to feel magical, powerful and passionate:

😶‍🌫️ Consciously spending more time with people who fuel my curiosity

🤓 Mentoring to help support the next gen of change makers

🖊️ Writing to help clarify my process and thoughts

❤️ Passion. Specifically passion for change. I am so passionate about changing the world for the better. But because I lost my sense of magic and forgot how to use my power, my passion diminished and I think it shows. So being on a passionate 2024.

🪩 Magic. I definitely lost some of the magic in my everyday life. All those bits if sparkle that I used to find everywhere. I'm so eager to get connection back in 2024.

I completely forgot who I was and the power that I hold.

So I didn't quite meet my 2023 goal of feeling like me again, but I did realise what I was missing. 2023 wasn't a year of becoming, it was a year of discovering.

2023 What. A. Year.

At the end of 2023 I wanted to feel like me again. That didn't happen.

2023 was an absolute whirlwind. From unexpectedly needing to find a new job to having some of the most challenging work experiences of my life, being signed off work and health scares.

🫡

I'm such a fool!

Testing. Testing. 1, 2, 3.

Is this thing on?