Will Norman — CEO
As an anthropologist by training, I recognise that understanding human behaviour and culture is key to addressing the complex challenges facing modern society. I have focussed my career on leading social and environmental change in communities around the world and have a strong track record of delivering across the private, public and voluntary sectors. I was appointed as London’s first Walking and Cycling Commissioner 2016. I lead the Mayor’s ambitious sustainable transport programme, working with Transport for London and the boroughs to make the capital safer, healthier and greener for everyone who lives, works and visits this great city. My role involves setting the overall vision and policies, then working with teams to develop and implement strategy. I have learned how delivering a high-profile programme of change at pace and scale requires adept political and stakeholder management, as well as clear communications and community engagement. I’m extremely proud of the transformation we have delivered, including the four-fold expansion of London’s cycle network, doubling the number a daily bike journeys and dramatically reducing the number of people tragically killed and seriously injured on our roads. Prior to this, I was Director of Global Partnerships at Nike, working to align corporate social responsibility investments and long-term growth plans around a single purpose: tackling the global physical inactivity crisis. Later, my role was to amplify and scale Nike’s impact, leverage resources and build an international movement to address the crisis. I managed the public-private partnerships and developed a network of NGOs, foundations, academics, businesses and city leaders that worked with the EU, UN agencies and other global institutions to prioritise physical activity in policy and funding. From 2007 to 2013 I led the research team at The Young Foundation - an influential think tank and centre for social innovation. As part of the senior leadership team, I ran a range of research projects and new social ventures working with government and not-for-profit organisations improve policy, shape funding and deliver better services. After completing my PhD and having worked in the international development sector, I co-founded a social research agency. We were among the small cluster of successful start-ups in the UK & US that were pioneering the use of anthropological research methods in the commercial sector.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in social innovation and sustainable transport initiatives.
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Experience: 27 yrs 3 mos
Skills
- Strategy Development & Delivery
- Inspiring Leadership
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Strategic Partnerships
- Research
- Entrepreneurship
- Social Research
- University Teaching
- International Development
Career Highlights
- Led London's first sustainable transport programme.
- Doubled daily bike journeys in London.
- Pioneered anthropological methods in commercial research.
Work Experience
Transport for London
London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner (9 yrs 3 mos)
The Young Foundation
Interim Chief Executive (0 mo)
Director of Research (6 yrs)
Nike
Global Partnerships Director (4 yrs)
ESRO Ltd (now called Revealing Reality)
Founder (4 yrs)
London School of Economics
Tutor (1 yr)
Vetaid Mozambique
Consultant (0 mo)
VSO Overseas Training Programme
Part-time trainer (3 yrs)
Vetaid Mozambique
Social Development Advisor (1 yr)
Education
PhD at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
MA at The University of Edinburgh
