The Team

Philip Collins / Founder

Phil was chief speechwriter to Tony Blair in 10 Downing Street, and writes a weekly column in The Times. He is the author of six books and has previously been Chair of Trustees at Demos, the Director of the Social Market Foundation, a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford and an investment banker.

Claudia Wood / Research Director

Claudia is a research and policy expert with 20 years’ experience in think tanks and third sector organisations, and was previously Director of the UK think tank Demos. She has written widely for UK newspapers, been an expert witness at UK Parliament Select Committees, and is the author of over 50 policy reports.

Alex Dymoke / Senior Writer

Alex is a former reporter and feature writer for the Evening Standard and Independent. He has written for a number of titles, on topics ranging from politics to the arts. He has written extensively for financial services firms, with regular articles in the financial press.

Alice Elliott / Senior Writer

Formerly a speechwriter for the CBI, Alice has written for some of the UK's most senior CEOs and industry leaders on issues ranging from education and technology to climate change, mental health, and trust in business.

Lizzie Hibbert / Writer

Lizzie is a former academic and literary editor with a PhD in modernist fiction and has extensive experience teaching and writing at all levels. She has also worked as a freelance researcher in economics and public policy and in the Violence Against Women and Girls sector.

Cameron Harris / Writer

Cameron is a former political strategist in the Civil Service and has worked as a speechwriter, editor, researcher and communications consultant in both the UK and the US. He has taught classes on rhetoric and writing to audiences including prisoners, under-served school children, undergraduates and professionals, most recently at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ed Owen / Associate Partner

Ed leads The Draft’s work in the United States from Washington DC. A former journalist, Ed was an adviser and speechwriter to the UK’s Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary for eight years before taking on a series of leadership roles for organizations in healthcare, justice and education. Ed has particular expertise across media and stakeholder communications, and is a regular commentator on current affairs.

Nick Rowley / Associate Partner

Nick leads The Draft’s work in Australia and Southeast Asia. Nick advised Tony Blair on climate issues for two years, playing a vital role before the 2005 G8 meeting and helping initiate the seminal Stern Review. Nick has taught Public Policy at the London School of Economics and the University of Sydney and has been an advisor on climate change to senior business people.

Linda Joseph-Ugorji / Finance Manager

Linda manages the finance, accounting and payroll functions at The Draft. She prepares all contractual agreements with suppliers and is the contact for all compliance questions. Linda is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA / CGMA).