I launched the arts service for the London Borough of Newham. The borough had the lowest level of arts engagement in the UK, along with a range of other socioeconomic indicators. It was also the youngest, most multi-cultural borough in the UK, and home to many extraordinary communities and arts organisations. I developed a partnership working approach across the council and with the local creative industries, which saw arts engagement levels rise. I was also elected to chair the London Arts partnership, The Seer.