Cultural strategy, impact & legacy capture for cities and major events.

01 — Academic

What does culture do for a city?

Since 1999 I have measured it where it is hardest to see: over the long run, and at scale. I directed the Cultural Olympiad evaluations for London 2012 and Paris 2024, and Impacts 08, the study of Liverpool 2008 that became Europe's reference model for cultural impact evaluation. I also wrote the European Parliament's review of three decades of European Capitals of Culture.

Beyond individual evaluations, I have led UK-wide and European consultations to develop principles and frameworks for assessing culture's contribution to sustainable development, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

02 — Advisor

Called in when culture has to deliver for a place, and prove it.

Cities, governments and organising committees call me when culture has to deliver for a place, and when they need to show that it did. I advise on cultural strategy, programme architecture, impact frameworks and legacy, from the first idea to ten years after.

• Member, Policy Task Force, Culture Next
• Member, Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission, International Olympic Committee, 2015–2026
• Chair, International Board, Monitor 2024, Nord University, 2024–2025
• Member, chair and rapporteur, European Capital of Culture Selection & Monitoring Panel, 2017–2022