Our People

Catherine Howe

Chief Executive

Catherine took over the role of Chief Executive in January 2010 moving from the position of Operations Director, a position she had held since 2002. Catherine is a specialist in social media and eDemocracy with a background in technology delivery. She has worked with online communities and social networking tools for over 10 years. Initially developing learning applications at the London Business School she was founder director of Etribes.com – an online community consultancy which specialised in working with third sector organisations such as Christian Aid, YMCA and YHA. Since joining Public-i, Catherine has been instrumental in the development of both the core webcasting product and now the new Citizenscape platform. Her research interest is the social impact of Web 2.0 tools in a democratic context, you can read more about that here on her blog.

Alan Price

Finance Manager & Company Secretary

In November 2008 Alan took over from Graham Smith who held the position of Financial Controller at Public-i for many years. Alan has extensive experience as a financial manager with ten years as Finance Director of a London-based marketing consultancy and five years as Financial Controller at an international horticultural company.  His role at Public-i means he is integral part of building the strategy of the business at the same time as making sure we don’t go crazy with excessive purchases.

Lewis Broad-Ashman

Head of Customer Delivery

After completing a BSc (Hons) and gaining experience in computer graphics, design, video production and engineering Lewis joined Public-i in 2001 and has been a key member of staff contributing to its growth ever since. He has grown with the company and now holds the senior webcast technician role that helps manage the Helpdesk, installation and events side of the business.  He is our most experienced technician who knows the product forwards and backwards. Lewis is passionate about customer service and now leads the team to make sure all our clients are well looked after.

In his spare time Lewis is a keen music producer and is currently working on his fourth album. He is also an avid surfer and footballer.

Ady Coles

Development Manager

Ady joined Public-i in January 2006 as Development Manager. Ady has a broad experience of e-Learning and Online Media industries, with particular interests in: Software development theory; development strategies & techniques; Rich Internet Applications; ‘Getting things done’ (GTD); and agile / pragmatic software development. Specialities: Development procedures / processes; software architecture & design; recruitment; strategy. Previous experience includes 5 years at Futuremedia Plc (now Edvantage Group) where he managed the development of Web-based eLearning applications, and 11 years at Thermoteknix Systems Ltd overseeing creation of Infra-red imaging applications. Ady is a rare combination of the creative technologist – he can see the big picture and actually make it happen.

David Eaton

Business Development Manager

David has been part of Public-i since 2007 following a career in TV & cinema media.  His experience includes TV sales at ITV, developing new business in Europe for Channel 4 and account management for Carlton Screen.  With a BA (Hons) in International Politics with History, David has a passion for promoting citizen engagement in public organisations.  He is part of the management team, responsible for UK & Ire new business and ensuing account management.  David is skilled in project management, effectively implementing projects across the company’s range of e-consultation products.

Jane Purcell

Operations and Marketing Administrator

Jane joined the company back in 2000 having previously worked within Local Government. Jane is now the Operations and Marketing Administrator and has responsibility for the co-ordination and distribution of client and management information. She is the research queen who makes sure we know what is going on in the outside world. Regular communication with clients means she also knows what everyone is up to. With her long experience with the company the answer to any difficult question is usually to “Ask Jane!!”

Adam Jones

Technical Manager

Specialist in disarming combat. Defender of the *nix. Manager of infrastructures, Administrator of systems. Adam has worked at Public-i since the day he was born, he is a consultant in feng shui and a keen morris dancer, hoping to one day rise to the position of Royal Liberty Morris fool.

What he is not admiting to is the fact he is a superb trouble shooter whose wideranging techincal knowledge means he can work across the full range of our products and services.

Stephane Leferve

Senior Software Engineer

Je voudrais acheter du lait et du beurre s’il vous plait. le singe est dans l’arbre.

MSc of Analitical chemistry in UCL (london) – worked in this field for 3 years for precious metal company Johnson Matthey PLC in Royston: not Royston Vasey but similar. 2004-2005 did a Masters in Software Programming at ISTIA university in Angers France – worked for 6 months for Pfizer in Angers France writing stock management software and websites. Arrived in Brighton in 2006 and found job at Public-i developing desktop applications for webcasting using C# for the frontend and PHP and Java for the backend. Much more interesting than analysing chemical solutions. He is the main desktop applications developer here so can bring new ideas and technology easily in his projects.

Laura Tyler

PHP Developer

Laura is an experienced PHP developer who is currently engrossed in the process of bringing Citizenscape to life.  She has an ongoing interest in Open Source software and has also recently confessed to taking up weaving.  The open source is completely true but we are not sure whether or not to believe her on the weaving front!

Sarah Gusterson

Account Manager

Sarah joined Public-i in March 2002 having previously worked as Team Leader for a large Global organisation, running a team of Sales Executives focused on ensuring excellent customer service and building new client business.   Sarah is the Account Manager for the North of England and Scotland and has responsibility for our Client base within this region and bringing new clients on board.

Paul Hernanz

European Project Officer

European Project Officer Paul Hernanz, MA (Hons) in European Studies with French, German and Spanish, is responsible for Public-i’s current European funded projects and the bidding of new funded projects which fit Public-i’s strategy for expansion. Paul’s degree included an internship at the European Parliament, after which he started his career as an international marketing graduate with Reuters News Agency. Working in London and South Africa he gained invaluable exposure to real time, global information products and the international marketing of them. The internet era of the mid-nineties saw him move to one of the first creative new media agencies, Online Magic (now Agency.com), from where his passion for Information and Communication Technologies evolved from consulting blue chip companies into business coaching and finally running his own international language and research agency.

Mathew Jellings

Senior Relationship Manager

Mathew has been with Public-i since the start, following working with blue chip companies in the City.  He now works with clients and partners at a senior to level to make sure their strategic needs are being met.  He has huge experience of the company and of the products and is able to bring this to bear with client projects.  Mathew has a real understanding of the challenges which local government face and a belief that technology can help!

Stuart Burkin

Webcast Technician

Stuart specialises in video and image editing as well as taking a leading role within our event team.  In his spare time he does more of the same – as well as being an experienced martial arts practitioner which is handy when he travels for work.