MEET THE TEAM

A swift introduction

We pride ourselves on being fast and flexible. We build our consulting teams from a mixture of Associate and permanent consultants so we can match your needs and mirror your company culture.

“Since joining the Swift family, I have been welcomed and supported with open arms.”

Kevin Hodge, User Research Associate

We’ve grown so much over the last few years, we don’t have room to list all our consultants and associates here. So, these are just some of the people you’ll get to work with when you work with Swift:

Nathan Swift

Founder and CEO

“I love helping clients solve complex problems, build capability and turn strategy and vision into reality. And I’m proud to lead a team that delivers value for our clients and makes a real impact.”

Sally-Anne Lawrence

Managing Director

“For me, the culture at Swift is so important. I live our values and strive to make sure we have a fantastic place to work so our staff, partners and clients are happy and feel part of something special.”

Carolyn Venn

Operations Director

“I am amazingly proud of the culture we’ve built at Swift which underpins our growth. Enjoying work is so important, and I am proud that my colleagues are invariably smiling, joking and sharing success stories.”  

Darren Bassett

Client Services Director

“Helping clients with complex problems is good fun, whether it’s a new operating model or advising what ‘good’ looks like. The most important thing is for clients to get great value and be more efficient than before we worked with them.”

Gabriel Crowley

Principal Consultant

“I love that moment when something overwhelming suddenly clicks into place. Helping clients through sticky situations or helping them plan how to achieve something strategically significant is really rewarding.”

Charlotte Jackson

Senior Consultant

“I love connecting with different people and teams, and learning what motivates them. I enjoy supporting organisations to turn that individual motivation into the kind of collaboration that achieves strategic goals.”

Shavariya Padayachee

IT Business Analyst

“Seeing Swift go from strength to strength is so rewarding. I love meeting and working with every member of the team – each person brings something new and special to the Swift culture.”

Tia Cadet

Junior Consultant

“I believe open, collaborative communication is key for fluid solutions. It’s important to look at everything through multiple perspectives, allowing for the bigger picture to be coloured in.”

Helena Greenwell

Junior Consultant

“At Swift, we genuinely care about clients and about implementing effective change together. The team always go above and beyond rather than simply ‘getting the job done’.”

Katie Kingsley

Business Operations Project Coordinator

“I have always loved helping people and solving problems. I feel so proud to have been given the opportunity to work with the talented, friendly, and overall incredible team at Swift.”

Veronica Lushington

Business Operations Coordinator

“My proudest moments have been when Swift Strategies receives the recognition and awards it so richly deserves.”

Natalie Duke

Business Operations Administrator

“I’m really proud of the process I’ve put in place for onboarding suppliers. I get a lot of job satisfaction from seeing suppliers set up and ready to work with clients.”

Magnus Falk

Non-executive Chair

“I’m really proud of the way the board works and how it’s driving the development of the company. I love helping teams do more than they could as individuals.”

Eleanor Miller

Financial Controller

“My clients are the other teams within Swift. The thing I love most is seeing the numbers ‘click’ with a non-finance person and seeing them ‘get it’ for the first time.”

Ednah Nzombe

Principal Consultant

“I’m passionate about what I do, and I believe in not just reaching the finish line, but being fully present throughout the process and learning from it.”

Henry Houghton-Brown

Client Services Coordinator

“I like to think that no problem is so great that I can’t attempt to find a solution, especially with a great team supporting me.”

Nathan founded Swift Strategies in 2008 offering tech advisory to startups in his spare time. 5 years later, he went all in and has built Swift up to be one of the UK’s fastest-growing consultancies. Nathan has extensive central government experience and was instrumental in delivering 2 million laptops to vulnerable and disadvantaged children in England during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Nathan is a natural problem solver and specialises in programme triage and turnaround, complex transformation, legacy to cloud migration, change, strategy, process improvement, efficiency and business case development. He brings passion, enthusiasm, critical thinking and (crucially) fun to the Swift team.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a Marine Biologist.

Your journey to Swift… I studied music at university then worked as a software developer and content moderator before moving into project and delivery roles. I founded Swift in my spare time while I was working for Capita and Dr Foster Intelligence.  

Favourite biscuit? I’m torn between a chocolate hobnob and a custard cream.

Nathan Swift

Founder and CEO

“I love helping clients solve complex problems, build capability and turn strategy and vision into reality. And I’m proud to lead a team that delivers value for our clients and makes a real impact.”

Sally-Anne joined Swift in 2023 as Delivery Director and became Managing Director in 2026. She has over 20 years’ experience in programme management across the private and public sector and was part of the team that delivered £11m in savings for the GPA as part of their Strategic Procurement Programme. 

Sally specialises in complex change, and programme definition and initiation which she describes as “knitting fog”.  She enjoys putting shape around things and creating a culture that clients and colleagues want to be part of:

Outside of work, Sally-Anne enjoys playing tennis (more recently pickle ball and padel), and loves travelling and exploring new places.

 

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a ‘Business Woman’ (no idea in what industry though).

Favourite biscuit? Bourbon.

Sally-Anne Lawrence

Managing Director

“For me, the culture at Swift is so important. I live our values and strive to make sure we have a fantastic place to work so our staff, partners and clients are happy and feel part of something special.”

As Operations Director, Carolyn is responsible for HR, finance, systems, IT, contracts, legal, ISO requirements, social value and, most importantly, team birthdays.

Carolyn is an expert at tackling a seemingly overwhelming project to get it tamed, under control and completed. She brings structure, quality and efficiency to Swift Strategies which is reflected in our ISO certifications and company culture:  

In 2013, Carolyn founded ‘The Reach Free School’ opening in an empty office building before moving into a purpose built £17m facility in 2018, with waiting lists for every year group and a top-ranking sixth form. The school takes up most of Carolyn’s time outside work, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to run a campsite in Dorset. There’s still time!

Your journey to Swift… I did a degree in Business Management and Psychology, and worked in marketing and account management for Europe’s largest entertainment distributor. After taking a career break to focus on my 3 children and founding a secondary school, I worked for a construction firm before switching to the consultancy sector and finding my home at Swift.

Favourite biscuit? Chocolate Hobnobs, preferably from the fridge.

Carolyn Venn

Operations Director

“I am amazingly proud of the culture we’ve built at Swift which underpins our growth. Enjoying work is so important, and I am proud that my colleagues are invariably smiling, joking and sharing success stories.”  

Darren joined Swift as a consultant in 2025 but liked it so much he went permanent in 2026. His background is in data where he spent 20 years working for the government as a senior civil servant. 

Darren has been leading tech delivery programmes since 2012 and has a deep understanding of how the government works. He’s also a passionate advocate for public services and uses his extensive public sector experience to help clients improve services with technology and data. Darren loves working with and developing people, and is great at solving complex client challenges and getting stuff done:

Outside work, Darren loves the camaraderie of team sports and is a keen footballer, cricketer and youth football coach. When he’s not playing sport, he loves to travel and has been to over 90 countries (lowlights include getting struck by lightning, getting caught in the eye of a typhoon and experiencing a 7.0 magnitude earthquake).

What did you want to be when you grew up? I still don’t know. I’m not sure I’ve grown up yet.

Favourite biscuit? From my 2 years in Australia, I’d go for a Tim Tam (a bit like a Penguin but better). A chocolate malted milk isn’t bad either.

Darren Bassett

Client Services Director

“Helping clients with complex problems is good fun, whether it’s a new operating model or advising what ‘good’ looks like. The most important thing is for clients to get great value and be more efficient than before we worked with them.”

Gabriel joined Swift in 2023 as Principal Consultant and specialises in technology-led transformation and technology delivery. Having worked in several managerial roles at the Cabinet Office, Gabriel has extensive experience of central government and cross-government projects.  

Gabriel is a transformation programme expert and is known for coming up with solutions to problems ridiculously quickly. He also has a skill for translating complicated technical stuff into plain English and spotting the flaw in a plan before it becomes everyone’s problem. 

When Gabriel’s not helping clients through sticky situations, he loves playing football and reading history (he’s definitely the person you want on your team at the pub quiz). 

 

What did you want to be when you grew up? A fireman.

Your journey to Swift… I studied politics at University then worked in several central government departments, and on different transformation programmes always with a cross-government flavour. I worked my way through various roles, picking up skills and scars, until I landed at Swift.  

Favourite biscuit? Malted Milk with chocolate coating. 

Gabriel Crowley

Principal Consultant

“I love that moment when something overwhelming suddenly clicks into place. Helping clients through sticky situations or helping them plan how to achieve something strategically significant is really rewarding.”

Charlotte started at Swift in 2024 after working as a Project and Delivery Manager in the criminal justice sector, supporting major change programmes for the Metropolitan Police Service and National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Charlotte specialises in business change, communications and stakeholder engagement. She enjoys bringing structure to complexity and turning strategy into practical results. Strategic detail (zooming in on the details and out to see the big picture) is Charlotte’s superpower. She is also an accredited APMG Change Management Practitioner and a mentor for Stemettes – a social enterprise working to support the next generation into STEM careers.

Outside of work, Charlotte loves playing netball and tennis, and exploring new places. She’s also a big fan of live music.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I always thought being a Blue Peter presenter would be fun.

Your journey to Swift… I didn’t have a traditional tech career path. I studied History at university and then joined the Police Now graduate programme. After that I became a Consultant, working for management consultancies that provided expertise to criminal justice organisations. In 2024, I joined Swift Strategies to develop my experience and expertise in the wider public sector and tech.

Favourite biscuit? I’m not a huge biscuit fan but it would have to be the ginormous M&S Chocolate Rounds that you can only get at Christmas time. 

Charlotte Jackson

Senior Consultant

“I love connecting with different people and teams, and learning what motivates them. I enjoy supporting organisations to turn that individual motivation into the kind of collaboration that achieves strategic goals.”

Shavariya joined in 2023 as one of Swift’s very first permanent employees. With an academic background in law and politics, Shavariya has always enjoyed problem solving and loves working with Professional Services clients like the Legal Services Board to understand their pain points and get to the crux of what’s slowing them down.

Shavariya specialises in business analysis and end-to-end digital transformation, and brings bucket loads of enthusiasm, energy and innovation. She’s also our unofficial social secretary and is brilliant at bringing people together:  

Outside of work, Shavariya loves doing Pilates, crafting and acting. She’s always looking for opportunities to experience new places and cultures but confesses she’s just as happy hanging out with friends (and giggling). 

What did you want to be when you grew up? A spy, an actress or a safari game ranger – I had a wild imagination.

Your journey to Swift… I moved to the UK from South Africa in 2017 when I was just 19. I studied Law and Politics at university and before joining Swift, I worked as an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate at Solace Women’s Aid, a leading London charity.

Favourite biscuit? As a proud South-African, it would have to be a South African biscuit: Tennis biscuits or Choc-kits.

Shavariya Padayachee

IT Business Analyst

“Seeing Swift go from strength to strength is so rewarding. I love meeting and working with every member of the team – each person brings something new and special to the Swift culture.”

Tia started at Swift in 2025 after studying International Business at University. Working in customer service roles alongside her studies sparked her interest in fast-paced, peoplefocused environments, which led her into project delivery.   

Tia specialises in project management and delivery and is a qualified Agile Project Management practitioner. She brings clear communication and a proactive approach to delivery and is great at getting under the skin of clients’ needs. 

Tia also manages our partnership with the Passage, coordinating our volunteering sessions and sponsorship. 

Tia is a keen researcher and loves to dabble in learning languages. She loves collecting hobbies or meeting friends from around the world and often engages in a new self-set challenge (currently that’s ice skating and Hyrox).

What did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a Pilot when I was younger. Now I’m just happy having a window seat.

Your journey to Swift… I left the UK at 18 to travel across Europe, working in France and Poland along the way, which taught me a lot about adapting quickly, communicating with different people, and thinking on my feet. After returning to the UK to study, I realised through a consulting project that it was the career path I wanted to pursue, and finding Swift felt like the perfect fit to bring everything together.

Favourite biscuit? Although not a biscuit – I love a Jaffa Cake!

Tia Cadet

Junior Consultant

“I believe open, collaborative communication is key for fluid solutions. It’s important to look at everything through multiple perspectives, allowing for the bigger picture to be coloured in.”

Helena joined the team in 2026 and is an expert in hypothesis-driven evaluation thanks to her scientific training and background as an RSci-registered scientist. She brings analytical and problem-solving skills to Swift alongside rigorous data analysis and research abilities.

Helena is energetic about helping people and bringing about positive change, and she’s helped Swift become a disability-confident employer.

When she’s not analysing data and solving problems for clients, Helena enjoys playing tennis and baking (and we can attest to her excellent brownies).

 

What did you want to be when you grew up? A detective.

Your journey to Swift… I completed a Master of Science in organic chemistry research (supramolecular photo-responsive helical foldamers) and worked for a drug discovery company making pharmaceutical research drugs before moving into the world of consultancy.

Favourite biscuit? Milk chocolate digestive.

Helena Greenwell

Junior Consultant

“At Swift, we genuinely care about clients and about implementing effective change together. The team always go above and beyond rather than simply ‘getting the job done’.”

Katie joined Swift in 2026 and is an expert in communication, complex problem-solving, and project coordination. She adapts quickly to fast-paced and complicated situations and is great at finding practical ways to improve client outcomes and experiences.

Katie brings enthusiasm and adaptability as well as strong analytical and critical-thinking skills thanks to her philosophy degree.

Outside of work, Katie collects hobbies. She loves starting new things whether it’s a new form of exercise like Pilates or Hyrox, or something creative like pottery or painting.

 

What did you want to be when you grew up? A writer.

Your journey to Swift… I majored in Philosophy at university alongside Psychology, Sociology, and Theology before launching a project to help domestic abuse survivors at a women’s charity in Birmingham. I love figuring out how to improve things, so Swift was a great fit for me; their whole ethos is around improving clients’ lives and creating meaningful impact.

Favourite biscuit? Jammy Dodger.

Katie Kingsley

Business Operations Project Coordinator

I have always loved helping people and solving problems. I feel so proud to have been given the opportunity to work with the talented, friendly, and overall incredible team at Swift.

Veronica started as a contractor for Swift in 2021 and became permanent in 2024. She specialises in finance and is also experienced in marketing, comms and project management across the private and third sector. 

Veronica is methodical, organised and loves bringing order to chaos (not that Swift is chaotic, of course). She’s been with Swift since we were a small outfit and is proud of our growth and achievements.

When she’s not keeping the Swift team organised, Veronica loves to read, travel, walk her dog and spend time with friends & family. And she makes a wicked chicken cardamom curry.

 

What did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut.

Favourite biscuit?

Hobnobs (chocolate).

Veronica Lushington

Business Operations Coordinator

“My proudest moments have been when Swift Strategies receives the recognition and awards it so richly deserves.”

Natalie started at Swift in 2025 and supports our business operations team. With a background in recruitment and business support, Natalie brings exceptional organisation skills to Swift. She’s brilliant at onboarding our suppliers and getting them ready to work with clients.  

Outside of work, Natalie enjoys seeing friends and spending time with her little boy Jack.

 

What did you want to be when you grew up? Ballet dancer.

Favourite biscuit? Jammy Dodger.

Natalie Duke

Business Operations Administrator

“I’m really proud of the process I’ve put in place for onboarding suppliers. I get a lot of job satisfaction from seeing suppliers set up and ready to work with clients.”

Magnus joined Swift in 2025 as non-exec chair of the board after 30 years of getting things done, mostly as a technology leader in banking. 

He specialises in financial services, government, technology and change, regulation and governance and enjoys working with teams to “move mountains”.

When he’s not helping others succeed, Magnus enjoys “Grandfather’ing” and staying fit. 

 

What did you want to be when you grew up? A mining engineer – I mined coal, gold, diamonds and tin before realising that the mines weren’t in the places I wanted to live, so I joined the Army.

Favourite biscuit? Caramel Wafer (does that count?)

Magnus Falk

Non-executive Chair

“I’m really proud of the way the board works and how it’s driving the development of the company. I love helping teams do more than they could as individuals.”

Eleanor has worked in finance for over 22 years and joined Swift in 2026. She confesses she’s rubbish at IT despite having worked for several IT companies over the years. 

Eleanor is a specialist in SME finance and loves supporting growing businesses to navigate the often-dauting world of accounting. She’s brilliant at taking the pain out of finance and bringing financial insight to support our growth and vision.

When she’s not working, Eleanor is a proud Mummy and loves getting on a plane to a hot holiday location.

 

What did you want to be when you grew up Accountant (from the tender age of 7).

Favourite biscuit? Shortbread.

Eleanor Miller

Financial Controller

“My clients are the other teams within Swift. The thing I love most is seeing the numbers ‘click’ with a non-finance person and seeing them ‘get it’ for the first time.”

Ednah started at Swift in 2026 and is an expert in contracts and commercial management, programme and project delivery, technology implementation, and technology solution design.  

She loves getting to the root of a problem and enjoys working with clients to understand what’s really going on, shaping a credible solution, and implementing meaningful change that improves ways of working and delivers bottom-line value.

Ednah brings a combination of strategic oversight and hands-on rigour to complex programmes. She’s brilliant at seeing the bigger picture when there’s very little information to go on and prides herself on being able to walk into ambiguity and find the shape of something.

When she’s not solving problems, Ednah designs and makes wristwatches, and is an avid gardener (roses, fruit trees and hydrangeas are her favourite). A keen archer, she’s also a former member of GB Archery.  

What did you want to be when you grew up? For most of my childhood, I wanted to be a family lawyer. I haven’t become one in the traditional sense, but I did complete a master’s in law, a gift to the little girl who had that dream. I’m also working towards my Solicitor Qualifying Exam, because I want every version of me to be happy and proud: the child, the young woman, and, hopefully, the elderly woman too.

Favourite biscuit? Scottish shortbread. Crumbly, buttery, simple, and honest.

Ednah Nzombe

Principal Consultant

“I’m passionate about what I do, and I believe in not just reaching the finish line, but being fully present throughout the process and learning from it, enjoying it, and doing it well. I’m a starter and a finisher. I don’t leave things half done, and I don’t arrive without a plan.”

Henry’s background is in the Civil Service where he worked as a Crown Court Clerk at His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service before joining Swift in 2026. As part of the Civil Service operational delivery team, Henry got to experience tech and digital change firsthand, giving him a greater understanding of transformation projects on a national scale.

Henry looks after our bid and tender process and helps us win lovely new clients. He’s committed to continuous improvement and brings a willingness to give everything a go.

Outside of work, Henry enjoys dancing (he’s currently learning salsa and bachata) and loves to go bouldering. He’s also the proud owner of a near-endless karaoke repertoire.

What did you want to be when you grew up? A professional gamer.

Favourite biscuit? A teacake (if that counts as a biscuit). 

Henry Houghton-Brown

Client Services Coordinator

“I like to think that no problem is so great that I can’t attempt to find a solution, especially with a great team supporting me.”