Experience

Royal Town Planning Institute

• United Kingdom
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director Of Communications

  • Apr 2021 - Present



Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)

• United Kingdom
• Civil Engineering
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Director Of Communications

  • Mar 2017 - Apr 2021

  Communications Director for ICE I am responsible for managing and delivering external communications for the institution. I also act as head of profession (communications) for the twelve national and international regions. I am a part of the Director General's board and have been leading an international public awareness campaign linked to the institution's bicentenary. This role encompasses, internal, member, digital and media communications. I have also taken on responsibility for leading and managing web content for the organisation. Since joining the Institution as Head of Media and Communications in March 2017 I have designed, developed and begun delivery of the ICE 200 campaign, which is an evidence-based piece of public awareness activity. This has involved all available channels including high-level activities with the BBC for mainstream audiences. In addition I have undertaken a change programme with the institution to better deliver a comprehensive communications structure to better reach members, and the wider public. Show less



Russell Group of Universities

• United Kingdom
• Government Relations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Media Relations Manager

  • Apr 2016 - Apr 2017



Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Press Secretary

  • Aug 2015 - Mar 2016

  Responsible for all of the Business Secretary's media engagement, including drafting and editing lines, managing broadcast appearances, briefing on rolling stories and overseeing proactive media opportunities. I was also responsible for managing the departmental elements of the Business Secretary's social media profile.Beyond this I was charged with briefing and updating senior staff and politicians on breaking issues of the day and advising on medium to long term media strategies and campaigns. This involved outlining possible communications strategies and highlighting the risks to certain approaches. These tasks meant overseeing and monitoring the work of a team of up to 35 press officers and working across Whitehall on a variety of large projects. I undertook this roll at a difficult time for the department as a variety of controversial and long term matters emerged. Show less

• Senior Press Officer

  • Mar 2013 - Jul 2015

  Departmental Communications lead for the Trade Union Bill and Trade Union Reform, responsible for managing up to four press officers including day-to-day line management, performance reviews and overseeing work. Managing the communications relationship with non-departmental bodies; The Intellectual Property Office, The Insolvency Service and Companies House and Acas. Taking the media lead on a diverse portfolio while working to the Secretary of State, and two ministers.Alongside these responsibilities I led on recruiting new press officers on occassion, championed the Cross-Whitehall Consumer media push and National Living Wage. I was also responsible for proactive media campaigns, reactive media handling and managing relationships with journalists.I Worked closely with the Business Secretary on communicating high profile media issues such as executive pay regulations, investigations into Tesco, corporate culture and boardroom gender diversity.During my time as Senior press officer I; • Designed and implemented the communications strategy for the Trade Union Bill.• Led on the department’s media positioning during the breaking Tesco situation.• Controlled the department’s presence within the AstraZeneca takeover story.• Managed news of City Link’s administration.• Advised on sensitive export licences.• Took part in the department’s economic shocks communications team. Show less



Association of Colleges

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Press officer

  • Mar 2012 - Mar 2013

  Reactive media enquiries and media handling. Plus advsing on crisis management Reactive media enquiries and media handling. Plus advsing on crisis management



Shane English Schools

• Kanto, Japan

• English Teacher

  • Jul 2011 - Dec 2011

  I currently teach English in Japan at four different private language schools making use of my CELTA qualfication and five years studying English at University I currently teach English in Japan at four different private language schools making use of my CELTA qualfication and five years studying English at University



Associated Newspapers (Ireland)

• Crime reporter

  • 2009 - 2011



Irish Daily Mail

• General Reporter

  • Jul 2009 - Jul 2010

  News Reporter; Irish Daily Mail. Covering both on and off diary stories in all parts of the country. Travelling Ireland extensively, making fresh and important contacts in education, politics, law enforcement, aviation and the arts sector. Developing rolling international stories, such as the economic collapse and banking crisis, the travel disruption caused by the Icelandic ash cloud. Covering domestic stories, such as political expenses, ministerial resignations, family tragedies and major sporting events. Writing extended feature articles for the newspaper supplements on a variety of topics. Show less

• Trainee Reporter

  • Dec 2008 - Jun 2009

  Trainee Reporter; Irish Daily Mail Working as a national beat reporter in Ireland, a country I had never visited prior to taking up the newspaper post Making and cultivating contacts, including doorstep calls on those involved in stories, such as Government Ministers and banking executives. Secured front page story within 10 days of beginning work at the paper .Writing crisp clean, copy to demanding deadlines.



Belfast Telegraph

• United Kingdom
• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Reporter

  • Aug 2008 - Dec 2008

  Trainee Reporter: Belfast Telegraph Writing for an evening paper with four daily deadlines and developing stories throughout the day. Working on the features desk and creating analytical and in-depth pieces on historically significant events, such as the 10-year anniversary of the Omagh bombing and the British Army homecoming on the streets of Belfast. Writing hard news stories, which included Northern Irish scientists caught in the Mumbai terror attacks. Trainee Reporter: Belfast Telegraph Writing for an evening paper with four daily deadlines and developing stories throughout the day. Working on the features desk and creating analytical and in-depth pieces on historically significant events, such as the 10-year anniversary of the Omagh bombing and the British Army homecoming on the streets of Belfast. Writing hard news stories, which included Northern Irish scientists caught in the Mumbai terror attacks.



Various (self employed)

• Reviewer and Critic

  • 2007 - 2008

  Online features writer, travel writer and reviewer I wrote freelance pieces for online travel website www.realbuzz.co.uk. I wrote accommodation reviews on the www.realbuzz.co.uk site for backpackers in locations around the world. I wrote consumer affairs pieces for whatprice.co.uk, covering topics such as the housing market crash, bio-fuel and medical training. Online features writer, travel writer and reviewer I wrote freelance pieces for online travel website www.realbuzz.co.uk. I wrote accommodation reviews on the www.realbuzz.co.uk site for backpackers in locations around the world. I wrote consumer affairs pieces for whatprice.co.uk, covering topics such as the housing market crash, bio-fuel and medical training.



The Glasgow Extra

• Local news reporter

  • 2006 - 2007

  Reporter: The Extra Winter 2006/2007 Researched and wrote news and features stories for weekly Glasgow newspaper. Liaised with press departments from both public and private sector. Prioritised deadlines for press day every week. Reporter: The Extra Winter 2006/2007 Researched and wrote news and features stories for weekly Glasgow newspaper. Liaised with press departments from both public and private sector. Prioritised deadlines for press day every week.



Pad

• manager

  • 2003 - 2005