Gail is a freelance consultant, skilled in policy development, strategic communications, stakeholder relations and programme management with 20 years’ experience working in, and with, national government. Within Whitehall, she has worked across press office and policy roles, leading policy development on issues from Intellectual Property to Lottery funding. She has worked in the voluntary and not for profit sectors, including leading bids to successfully secure funding for two major, national heritage projects. Gail has extensive knowledge and experience of the creative industries, having worked as Head of Creative Industries policy within the DCMS, as Head of Policy for Creative England and now works as a freelance consultant advising industry members of the Creative Industries Council. Current areas of CIC focus include education and skills, business growth, innovation and cluster development. Gail has also worked with Governments and agencies in Columbia, the Western Balkans, Czech Republic, Spain and Germany to share best practice and help shape creative industries policy development and is currently consulting for the British Council with governments in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Gail is also a voluntary board member for the not for profit membership organisation, Bristol Creative Industries.