Home: Dublin, Ireland; Languedoc, France. Age: Fifty-three. Birthplace: London. Profession: Innovator and tech entrepreneur. Organization: River Cycleway Europe; Space Synapse, Ltd. Title: Founder, CEO.
Current project: A purpose/mission-led innovation company that benefits the environment, promotes transformative systems change and provides clean urban cycling infrastructure for climate mitigation and adaptation. Recent recognition: Recognized by Fast Company in the World Changing Ideas Award “Spaces, Places and Cities” category, 2020. New Civil Engineer Tech Fest Award shortlist, Best Decarbonization Technology category, December 2021. Recent professional development: IMD Strategies for Leadership. Latest accomplishment: Establishing our European venture. Latest contribution to others: Being honest, empathic, challenging.
Hobbies: Poetry, film, cycling, music, river kayaking, paddle boarding, yoga; gardening, growing vegetables. Recent travel or adventure: Two nights “glamping” in a wood cabin spa in the Pyrenees. Last book read: All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis. Recently viewed and recommended: The documentary film Mercury 13. Also, the documentary Extinction: The Facts, with David Attenborough, for realism and a call to action.
What three emojis best describe you? 🚲🌍🌳.
Personality profile: Creative, resilient, empathic. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Courageous. How do you define a perfect friendship? Love, laughter, loyalty, adventure, celebration, honesty. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Mission-led, values alignment, respect, equality, growth. What is your greatest joy? Intangible gifts, visualising our planet thriving, listening to birdsong, smelling the coffee. What natural talent have you neglected? Sculpture, playing the cello. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? A clean ocean, a good kitchen, my partner, and our dog.
What book have you repeatedly read? Maya Angelou Poems. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Ivan’s Childhood (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1962). What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? The bicycle. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? My mother, who taught me acceptance, patience and forgiveness, followed by the support of my mentors for challenging and inspiring expansive, critical creative thinking. What is the best advice you received growing up? “Be yourself”. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? A free-wheeling rested mind by the ocean, a long hike or cycle ride.
What is your big idea? Transformative community infrastructure. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Safe, green-blue resilient transport and clean energy infrastructure using a circular economy model for transformative systems change. What change would you like to see in the world? Environmental and social justice. Healing and the reversal of global ecosystem destruction. What message do you want to send out into the world? Positive collective solutions focussed on action. What mega-trend most excites you? The climate movement. What mega-trend most concerns you? Greenwashing, ecosystem destruction, the erosion of democracy, autocracy.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Never Give Up. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Hilary Swank or Shirley MacLaine - TBC. What object would you save first from your burning home? Animals first, followed by our music collection. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? By the ocean with my partner, joined by friends, for a celebratory supper with live music and good wine. What advice would you give your younger self? Never give up.
Personal mission: Creativity growth and transformation. Personal motto: Courage. Favorite quote: "We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty" (Maya Angelou). Desired epitaph: Shine on.
