The people building Consius.

I've spent over 20 years building relationships and helping people make important decisions throughout my career in property investment. That experience taught me the importance of trust, communication and understanding what truly matters to people.

The inspiration for Consius came from a series of significant personal life events, culminating in a life-changing accident that completely changed my perspective. During my recovery, I experienced first-hand how AI could provide clarity, perspective and consistent support through some of the most difficult moments of my life. It became clear that AI had the potential to become far more than a source of information.

That experience led me to create Consius with a simple vision: to build a trusted coach that helps people navigate life's challenges, build resilience and make meaningful progress. My goal is to create technology that strengthens human connection, empowers personal growth and helps people show up as the best version of themselves.

I've spent over fifteen years making sure complex systems work the way people actually need them to, from satellite software at Airbus to the AI tools I test and build today. That work taught me to care less about what technology can do and more about whether it genuinely helps the person on the other end of it.

Consius came out of that. I kept seeing AI built to stand in for human connection rather than strengthen it. We're living through an age of separation, and I don't believe the answer is something that talks to you so you don't have to talk to anyone else.

I train in martial arts, and the thing I love about it is that you only get better by practising, getting it wrong, and being coached through it. Real skills are built, not handed over. That is what Consius is for. It's a place to practise listening, reframing, and working through conflict, so you carry those skills back into the relationships that matter.

I'm at my best building and prototyping, turning an idea into something you can actually try. Consius is the thing I most want to exist.

BSc (Hons), CQSW, Cert.Ed., Dip.App.SS

Independent Chair | Safeguarding & Strategic Advisor

With more than 40 years' experience across safeguarding, mental health, social care, governance and public sector leadership, Deborah is one of the UK's most experienced safeguarding professionals.

She currently serves as Independent Chair of the Essex Safeguarding Adults Board and has previously chaired safeguarding boards across Kent, Medway, Southampton and East Sussex. Throughout her career, Deborah has provided strategic leadership across health, policing, local government and criminal justice, leading organisational transformation, independent reviews and multi-agency partnerships that improve outcomes for vulnerable people.

As an advisor to Consius, Deborah brings unrivalled expertise in safeguarding, governance, ethics and the responsible development of AI that supports people safely and effectively.

I began my career in accounting at HML Group, an AIM-listed estate management business, working closely with P&Ls and identifying inefficiencies that delivered cost-saving measures across large property portfolios. This built a strong foundation in financial control and commercial awareness.

I then moved into fund management at Octopus Investments, where I developed a clear focus on analytics, refined my management accounting skills in a fast-moving investment environment, and began linking financial data directly to decision-making.

Next, I joined a multi-billion dollar ASX-listed travel company. My role covered:

• Internal audit
• Pricing analytics
• Commercial accounting

This expanded my scope beyond reporting. I was influencing pricing strategy and driving performance across the business.

I later progressed into senior leadership roles within Omnicom Group, a $22bn global organisation, starting as Financial Controller before becoming Finance Director. In these roles I:

• Led finance teams
• Owned financial strategy
• Partnered with senior stakeholders
• Delivered commercial and operational improvements

Alongside this, former colleagues began reaching out for fractional Finance Director input, which led me into working closely with software startups. There I developed a focus on:

• Building strong financial controls
• Creating scalable reporting systems
• Supporting founders through growth stages

Over time, I have helped multiple founders secure 8-figure exits.

Most recently, I was approached by Consius to lead their finance function.