The received wisdom in the business world is that specialisation is crucial. Specialising allows you to make economies of scale, producing more in less time and making more money. You can also target your marketing efforts towards your ‘ideal client’. And, of course, you gain the satisfaction of becoming an expert in a particular topic.
Believe me I get it. Like most conventional productivity tips, the theory makes perfect sense.
And yet, in my 12 years as a freelancer I have struggled to implement this advice and could not always relate to my colleagues’ experience.
This is because my brain works differently. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is a misnomer. I can target my attention extremely effectively in certain situations.
This is known as ‘hyperfocus’ and is when we do our best work.
Of course, I do have particular areas of expertise. I have a strong grounding in equality policy, employment, health social policy, education and, of course, neuroinclusion. But I have lots of other interests too, from behavioural science to tech.
Need access to key facts and insights quickly? Why not hire my hyperfocus?


I spent years writing speeches, researching policy and drafting lines to take for politicians and officials at the highest level.
Now I want to draw on my institutional knowledge, research skills and political insights to save you time and energy. Check out the testimonials below for ideas on how I can help.

In-depth research
" As a researcher, Ruth's reports, speeches and articles on a wide range of policy areas were always incredibly well researched and written. "
Rachel Healey
Senior European Policy Officer
British Embassy, Paris

The bigger picture
"Her pertinent questions during the presentation of Education & Research Ministry priorities for the presidency showed that she offered sound judgement and reminded people of the bigger picture."
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Accuracy and Precision
" Ruth's research skills, accuracy and precision were widely regarded."
Sara Gill, Head of Education,
British Council, France

Identifying patterns
" Ruth's perseverance and strong belief in 'making a difference' showed through when she rose the profile of two sensitive issues, having picked up on a regular pattern from public feedback. Firstly, France's reluctance to recognise the legality of UK Civil Partnerships, and secondly, myths about the teaching of the Holocaust in UK schools. Faced with the difficulty of establishing a departmental lead responsibility for the issues, she went the extra mile to ensure the UK Government came up with a coherent response and action plan, which has since led to Embassy lobbying and a official lines-to-take."
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy, Paris

European Institutions
" Excellent Anglo-French dialogue and best-practice sharing during the French Presidency of the EU (2008) and across the ongoing Education MOU in order to deliver productive learning encounters between policy-makers and education practitioners"
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris

Social policy
"She is respected by Embassy colleagues for her professional expertise and frank insights in the field of Social Affairs, which show through in her well-drafted written reports and advice."
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs, British Embassy, Paris

Trade unions
"Her well researched comprehensive reports on trade unions and targeted briefing contributions have also proved her strong drafting skills, which receive regular praise."
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy, Paris

Religion
"Ruth's study of the headscarf debate showed that she is very capable of considering and judging the implications of a complex and culturally specific issue."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris

Analysis
"Her reporting on the headscarf debate in French schools reflected a serious research project and demonstrated excellent analytical skills."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris

Innovation
"Her innovation and emphasis on customer service helped her arrange a successful visit for the Minister for Europe to a Parisian community project at very short notice"
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy, Paris

Identifying emerging issues
"Ruth is very good at spotting issues and emerging stories e.g. she identified the lyceens protest on bac reform as potentially leading to a crisis from the very start."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris

High-level experience
"Ruth delivered a high profile visit for the Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, Trevor Phillips."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris

Experience of Whitehall
"Ruth has been proactive in identifying documents to send out to French contacts e.g. on UK skills policy and the Tomlinson review. She has also produced excellent summaries to present these documents."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris

Adaptability
"She produced some impressive first drafts quickly on economic reform."
Nicholas Hopton,
EU/Economic Counsellor,
British Embassy, Paris

Creative thinking
"Thanks to her creative-thinking, Ruth is a valuable team member for contributing to brainstorms, eg for organising the Minister for Europe's visit programme with an innovative trip to a Social Enterprise in outer Paris at short notice."
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris

Breaking down complexity
"Her reports on secularism have featured a persuasive and accessible commentary on a very complex issue."
Helen Pennant
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris

Consulting sources
"Ruth is very motivated to learn and has built up a good degree of expert knowledge about education in France and Britain from a variety of sources."
Helen Pennant
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris

Political insight
"She succeeded in promoting constructive Anglo-French relations thanks to her strong communication skills, expert knowledge of French/EU politics, current affairs and culture, and not least her impeccable fluent French and translation skills."
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris

Strategic awareness
"As the Education policy lead, Ruth has kept the thriving Education MOU firmly on track instigating a meeting with the minister's adviser and negotiating a compromise for the Summit...a demonstration of Ruth's strategic awareness and diplomatic skills."
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris

Current affairs
"Her well researched, engaging reports on current affairs and briefing contributions proved her strong drafting skills."
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris

Expertise
"Contacts respect her as an expert in her field."
Helen Pennant
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris

An asset to your organisation
"Ruth has been a real asset to the Political Team and embassy as a whole."
Ken O'Flaherty
Head of France, Internal Team
British Embassy Paris