Well, perhaps not for good, but for a while, anyway. Let’s see how things go.

After an incredible 15 years, kiwanja.net shut its doors in April 2018 and I took on a full-time role at Yoti, a digital identity start-up based out of London. I blogged about the career change here. Just shy of five years later, my Head of Social Purpose role was made redundant, and I joined Macmillan Cancer Support on a one year contract as Director of Future Data & Digital Self Management. That contract came to an end in March 2024, and I decided to take some time out to reflect, breathe, and think about what might be next for me.

In a sense, despite having a significant body of work behind me and, dare I say it, a fairly good reputation, it does feel like I’m starting all over from scratch. While I miss the crazy, explosive, experimental, anything-goes days of the so-called ‘mobile revolution’, today that world feels overly professionalised, overly tech-focused, rigid, and less experimental (and certainly more competitive). The bits I miss most no longer exist. Many of the early pioneers have moved on, too – just like I did. Life goes on, I suppose.

Unsure of what might be next, I decided a few weeks ago to try and take a break – something that doesn’t come naturally to me, I have to say – and let the universe decide what direction I should take. It was the universe, after all, that gave me FrontlineSMS, so it’s got pretty good form.

And, right on cue, the universe spoke.

One thing I’ve enjoyed over the years has been coaching and mentoring. I’ve done more than my fair share, but it’s always been informal, ad-hoc and on-demand. I also love brainstorming ideas, sharing thoughts and insights, and challenging ideas (in a kind, productive way), all under the umbrella of supporting the next generation of social innovators. The internal drive to focus more of my time on this just wouldn’t go away and then, out of the blue, I was approached by a friend and colleague from my mobile days. A few weeks later and I’d secured work doing precisely what it feels like I should be doing. More on that soon.

After an at-times-uncomfortable few weeks waiting for things to fall into place, they have.  On top of the new coaching contract, I’m about to start working with the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering, mentoring a team working on a tech-for-democracy project. And I’ll be helping judge the International Federation of the Red Cross’s Youth Innovation Academy, too.

I’m excited by what lies ahead. I know I’m going to enjoy it. It feels right. And I think I’m good at it. Remember to check out my Inspiration for hire website if you think there’s something amazing we could do together.

I’d love to hear from you if there is.