I have just over half a decade of experience as a practitioner in conflict contexts mainly across the Middle East, Europe, and the USA. I hold a MA in political economies of conflict from War Studies at King’s College London, and I’m certified in trauma-informed mediation with Trauma Treatment International.

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I started full-time work with five years at the Rose Castle Foundation, a faith-oriented org with a mission to equip a generation of 'reconciling leaders' capable of crossing society's deepest divides.

We worked with hundreds of people from around the world on summer camps, retreats, dialogues, and trainings — people who often came from fundamentally opposing worlds.

As communications and fundraising lead I made partnerships, built websites, wrote strategies, managed projects, and raised funds. When I started we were just getting WiFi in the office. When I left we were getting ready to receive a £1.36 million grant.

I met lots of people whose lives had been affected by wars, colonialism, and other systems of injustice. So I studied a masters in Conflict, Security and Development at King's College London. There, I learned more and wrote a thesis on the role of religious groups as actors for peace in Ethiopia, working with some extraordinary changemakers.

Alongside this, I’ve been a board member for an international development charity during its final years, helping steer through a period of CEO transition and closure.

In July 2024 I set up Banfield Forge Consulting to bring conflict-sensitive communications and strategy advice and services to clients engaged in conflict prevention, disaster recovery and other difficult contexts.

Joe Banfield was once a blacksmith, hammering horseshoes in a village forge on a hillside by the sea at Brighton. Five generations later, I still carry his name. So as I pick up my metaphorical hammer and tongs, I’m dedicating my consulting firm to his Forge.

Between the original Joe Banfield and me, his old forge grew to become Banfields, a Brighton-based shop for builders, architects, and decorators. As much a community as a centre of trade, Banfields grew and changed over the years, and for a long time was one of Brighton’s oldest businesses. In recognition of its treasured role, when it closed in 2019 to be converted to private accommodation, the original shopfront signage was retained — and today, you can stay in the shop yourself, as it’s on AirBnb!

From village blacksmiths to Victorian emporium builders, through surviving two World Wars and becoming locksmithing specialists, discover the story of five generations of enterprising Banfields here.