Tell us about yourself - where are you based and what's your background?

I'm based in Somerset, tucked away in the South West of England's beautiful countryside. My professional life has been steeped in education for over two decades - I've worn many hats, from primary school teacher and head teacher to national strategy adviser, maths consultant, and university lecturer - and been involved in a good few entrepreneurial ventures. I've also coached, mentored, and managed teacher training programmes. It's been quite the journey through the education system.

How did you end up at Innovator International?

Pure serendipity, really. I reconnected with Richard (Harrison) after nearly 30 years - we'd lost touch since our university days. After such a long career in education, I was ready for something different that could leverage my experience in leadership, training, and assessing complex organisations. One of my key skills has always been my ability to analyse documents and plans to provide a independent, detailed review.

No arm-twisting was required - I've loved every moment of the past two years here. Now I assess Innovator Founder Visa applications and lead the academic side of our new UK Growth Accelerator initiative, which has been brilliant. We've established a network of over twenty UK and international universities.

What's your best fun fact?

This one involves Richard, too. Back in our late teens, we played Street Hockey together - essentially ice hockey on roller skates. I had the good sense to hang up my skates in the 90s. My knees are still recovering.

Can you spot Keith and Richard in the team photo?!

If you could pitch a business on Dragons' Den, what would it be?

Having assessed nearly 400 business plans, here's my dream pitch: A platform that analyses your unique experience, skills, and personality, then matches you with the perfect problem you're positioned to solve - one that's both urgent and significant, that no one else has tackled. It would validate market demand, map out your project plan, and even predict the tough questions assessors will ask. It would make both my job and the applicants' lives infinitely easier!

You're hosting three international entrepreneurs for dinner - what's the one British experience you'd insist on sharing?

Cricket, without question. Watching someone encounter this gloriously absurd English game for the first time is endlessly entertaining. As I'd explain: "The team that is out has to bowl out the team that is in before they are out. Then the team that was in has to get the team that was out, but is now in, 'out.'" Simple, really! The eccentric artist Gerrard Hoffnung once called cricket "that game where a lot of people are asleep on a lawn." He wasn't entirely wrong - but I absolutely love it.

Thank you Keith, I'm afraid I can't join you for that cricket match I am um...washing my hair that day?!