Experience

James J Fox Cigar Merchants

• United Kingdom
• Tobacco Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sales Assistant

  • Sep 2021 - Present



Self-employed

• Sub-editor at LondonJazz News

  • Jul 2012 - Present

  After graduating, worked directly with the award-winning LondonJazz News website founder as the second in what was then a two-man team. Hands on role requiring my input in everything from audio interview production to reviews, publicity, interviews, article writing, copy editing, and site maintenance. Our daily readership is now c.5,000.• More than doubled the output of LJN allowing us to move into areas which are not primarily word based, which leading to paid publicity work. LJN won the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Jazz Media in 2015.• Introduced audio interview hosting and produced and edited 26 podcasts using Audacity production software. Interviewed many people involved in the UK and international jazz scene including Sue Mingus, Liane Carroll, Jeff Williams, and Branford Marsalis.• Oversaw and managed collaboration between LJN News and Spotify. The interview/profile of pianist Alex Wilson (which I edited and produced) is hosted on their site and charts his musical journey from the beginning of his career to the present day.• Flew to Norway as a guest of Visit Norway at the end of 2013 ahead of Fiona Talkinton's Scene Norway 2 series. Wrote a profile on the town's musical and artistic culture and reviewed related London concerts.• Secured a large amount of positive reviews and press coverage for Soweto Kinch's album Legend of Mike Smith, despite having only 15 copies of the CD to work with. Show less

• Freelance Journalist - Georgia Today

  • Aug 2017 - Nov 2018

  Joined the leading English-language newspaper in Georgia as their man in London. I have been writing to a weekly print readership of 6,000 on everything from interviews with leading Georgian politicians to book launches; economic conferences to film festivals.• Interviewed the Deputy Prime-Minister of Georgia H.E Mikheil Janelidze during the Wardrop Strategic Dialogue 2017 (bilateral talks between the UK and Georgian Governments). Provided an interview and an opinion piece.• Provided a report on the inaugural Emerging Europe Awards 2018 at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): covered related keynote speech by Günter Verheugen and panel discussion on business with the UK post-Brexit.• Interviewed Donald Rayfield: the leading English-language academic specialising in Georgian history. • Covered a seminar on the Centenary of the first Georgian Republic at the house of the first UK ambassador to Georgia.• Interviewed two representatives from the BMJ on their efforts to improve detection and management of infectious disease in the country.• Reported on Outlook on Georgia 2017, an investment conference at the EBRD.• Interviewed the artistic directors of Life Through Cinema – the annual Georgian film festival in London• A full list of my articles for Georgia Today can be found here: http://georgiatoday.ge/news/search/?kw=Robert+Edgar&sb=%C2%A0 Show less



Sticks & Barrel

• Editor

  • Apr 2020 - Oct 2021

  Sticks & Barrel is a new website dedicated to supporting the interesting, the innovative and the new in the cigar and whisky industries. Sticks & Barrel is a new website dedicated to supporting the interesting, the innovative and the new in the cigar and whisky industries.



Beatik

• Spain
• Software Development

• Business Developer

  • Jul 2019 - Mar 2020

  ● Looked after the UK and North American market for Beatik, an app for musicians headquartered in Spain ● Set up a UK subsidiary of the company in advance of potential fallout from a ‘no-deal’ Brexit ● Promoted the brand to musicians and press through a comprehensive network of contacts ● Worked with music publishers in order to build the Beatik score-library ● Provided clear marketing copy for the brand ● Looked after the UK and North American market for Beatik, an app for musicians headquartered in Spain ● Set up a UK subsidiary of the company in advance of potential fallout from a ‘no-deal’ Brexit ● Promoted the brand to musicians and press through a comprehensive network of contacts ● Worked with music publishers in order to build the Beatik score-library ● Provided clear marketing copy for the brand



Primrose Hill Community Library

• London, United Kingdom

• Administrator

  • May 2015 - Sep 2018

  Worked closely with the board of a high-profile, volunteer-led library. As one of only two staff members the role was diverse, requiring my input in fundraising, organising events, and managing a pool of c.50 volunteers. Role was part time to begin with but converted to full time in December 2016 reflecting the appreciation of the board in my contribution. • Worked closely with the board in ongoing negotiations to sustain rent-relief from Camden Council. Collated monthly statistics on footfall, membership growth and resource use, met twice with our local MP (Keir Starmer), and was in regular communication with our local councillors in order to keep the pressure up. • Organised and recruited additional volunteers (currently c.50); provided ongoing training and support • Instigated and organised classical music concerts at the library. • Responsible for Library’s social media channels, ensuring all publicity materials fit with our preferred narrative. • Secured an initial legacy donation of £5,000 with the promise of more to come. • Drafted and ensured competent implementation of all new data protection policies necessitated by GDPR. Show less



Music Haven

• London, United Kingdom

• Promotions Manager

  • May 2013 - Aug 2016

  Joined Music Haven as Promotions Manager. Duties include everything from site-maintenance, management of social media, helping to secure commissions, writing press releases, typesetting, and scouting for new works which fit within the company profile. In addition worked with the London-based composer Peter Fribbins on Promotion and miscellaneous tasks. • Designed a website for Music Haven • Typeset numerous works for performance and or publication using Sibelius7 software. • Secured positive press for Peter Fribbins’s latest CD “Dances & Laments”. • Secured publicity for various performances such as the premiere / launch of Le tombeau de Rachmaninov – a compilation of various composers’ work including Cecilia McDowall – at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. Show less