Experience

Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd.

• United Kingdom
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Legal Content Editor

  • Jan 2022 - Present

  Versatile content generator, demonstrably adding value to a Times top 200 law firm at the heart of a busy marketing team. Recent successes include: Creating and a new content strategy to the 55 most senior directors which has increased the throughput articles and general content. Researching and writing winning award submissions, including the Law Firm of Year award at the Modern Law awards 2023. Reputation management, advising seniors lawyers and clients in respect of media interviews and clients Driving social media interaction up by 20% and creating a new social media strategy. Adapting quickly to a firm offering legal services across 25 fields and writing a broad range of content , including technical articles, thought leadership pieces, new items, scripts, press releases and more. Leading on the creation of advertising campaigns for social media and for events, such as the Property Investor Show. Interviewing, training and guiding new employees to ensure they are up to speed with Duncan Lewis standards in all areas. Acting as defacto Head of Marketing following the departure of the previous incumbent, including responding to all internal and external correspondence and becoming the first point of contact for all senior directors. Show less



THE PIMLICO PLUMBERS GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

• United Kingdom
• Real Estate

• PR and Marketing Copywriter

  • Sep 2020 - Jan 2022

  I am responsible for creating and editing a wide range of marketing material, as well as generating and ghost-writing engaging blog entries for the CEO of a high profile, multi-million-pound plumbing and building services company on a range of topics, including business, politics and social issues. The role involves collaborating with the social media and design teams to drive the online presence, improve customer engagement and attract business and media coverage. I also write and edit advertorial designed to build the customer base and increase awareness of the company's expanding services and also maintain the profile of its CEO. I ensure all copy, advertising and social media material is accurate, well-written and meets tone of voice requirements for the brand. I'm also required to brief the CEO and any other members of the team on issues and questions that may arise during interviews with media. A recent campaign I led attracted more than 260 news features and articles in print and online national, local and business news outlets, trended on Twitter and prompted appearances on Good Morning Britain, Russia Today and Jeremy Vine on 5 for the company Chairman. I also conceptualised a Christmas advert along with supporting billboards and social content, which helped drive profits through the holiday period and propelled one member of the team onto Britain's Got Talent. Show less



LTDA - Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association

• Press and Editorial Manager

  • Feb 2012 - Feb 2020

  Writing and editing a 30,000 circulation magazine and overseeing the running of the press office for the London Taxi Drivers’ Association. I introduced a broader range of member targeted content and exclusive offers, driving membership past 10,000+. I worked to tight deadlines to conceptualise and write features, columns and plan campaigns, ensuring all contributions aligned with editorial guidelines and the needs of target audiences. This included developing fresh angles to ensure all contributions and content remained compelling, as well as working with regular and guest contributors. I also delivered niche PR and comms strategy that catered for members and supported the LTDA's lobbying activities and political agenda, which included fielding calls from the media, arranging interviews and quotes, as well as pitching stories to outlets. I also developed key relationships with stakeholders, including TfL officials, City Hall, advertisers, taxi manufacturers and senior police officers. I planned strategic campaigns, including successfully fighting to stop the Uber app getting relicensed by TfL over its safety failings and the mayor to find an extra £25m to help drivers switch to electric cabs. I provided press quotes, supporting stories and commentary, as well as quickly producing a special edition of TAXI on the issue, highlighting the association's role in the decision. Here, I supported LTDA political lobbying activity with TfL and City Hall by working closely with the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary, advising on the best approach to take. I also ghost wrote columns the executive, the in-house legal team and the General Secretary, which involved working with the public affairs team to decide the key political issues of the day. I also aligned business requirements for current and future campaigns with the LTDA committee as well as maximising membership through launching LTDA’s Twitter presence, quickly growing this to more than 24,000 followers. Show less



Evening Standard, Sunday People, Metro

• Freelance Journalist

  • Jan 2009 - Mar 2012

  Based in the field, I sourced stories and wrote tight, accurate copy for websites and newspapers, successfully writing engaging new contributions that resonated with each newspaper’s readership and their advertisers. Here, I worked for the Sunday People, Evening Standard, Metro, TNT travel magazine, and trade press as well as Facilities and Supply Management magazines and Archant London. This included ongoing and cohesive collaboration with news desks to keep them up to speed with all information, both diary and off-diary as stories developed. Show less



Self Employed

• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Court Reporter - UK Law News

  • Apr 2009 - Feb 2012

  Working with multiple newspapers, including the Daily Mail, the Telegraph, the Sun, the Metro, Evening Standard, and Take a Break, I wrote compelling and legally sound court stories accurately to very strict deadlines. Here, I drew on news from live sources ensuring that major and notable stories were gathered as soon as they broke working to deadlines on several stories at one time, targeting different audiences for maximum reach. Focusing on delivering the very latest developments quickly, I created powerful coverage of breaking news across multiple platforms, including video, tweeting, camera, internet and live feeds. I also collaborated with multiple court, legal and newspaper teams to conceptualize and deliver fresh angles for a diverse range of subjects ensuring all writing was fresh, compelling and met exacting editorial standards. Show less



Various Clients including Smartbox and Archant London

• Freelance Senior Copywriter

  • Apr 2009 - Jan 2011

  Worked closely with sales teams and advertising clients to deliver engaging branding and direct-response feature articles and adverts for newspapers and websites. Worked closely with sales teams and advertising clients to deliver engaging branding and direct-response feature articles and adverts for newspapers and websites.



The Ealing Gazette, Trinity Mirror

• Editor

  • Mar 2006 - Apr 2009

  Tasked with setting and driving the news agenda, I ensured all content met online/print criteria and objectives. Here, I maximised newspaper reach by ensuring all content targeted a highly-diverse readership, generating fresh and exciting ideas and then editing and uploading stories and pictures for the website using the CMS. Ensuring maximum editorial quality, I oversaw the hiring of senior and trainee journalists, including interviewing coaching and mentoring to get them up to the required levels. I also ensured high levels of editorial quality by proof reading and editing reporters’ copy, checking for accuracy, style and any possible legal issues. I led the switch to 'digital first', ensuring the reporters were trained to use the CMS, which was updated regular with compelling content. Show less



The Reading Chronicle, Trinity Mirror

• Senior Crime Reporter

  • Nov 2002 - Feb 2006

  Produced hard-hitting and original stories across three titles as a crime reporter, I oversaw a large geographical territory and delivered a weekly broadsheet page of off-diary news stories. Here, I built and strengthened relationships with high profile public figures including MPs, police chiefs and forged relationships in the community. I also gained source material by witnessing and reporting on drug raids / kerb crawling operations as organised by the Thames Valley Police. Produced hard-hitting and original stories across three titles as a crime reporter, I oversaw a large geographical territory and delivered a weekly broadsheet page of off-diary news stories. Here, I built and strengthened relationships with high profile public figures including MPs, police chiefs and forged relationships in the community. I also gained source material by witnessing and reporting on drug raids / kerb crawling operations as organised by the Thames Valley Police.



4MC

• Czechia
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Despatch Manager

  • Dec 2001 - Oct 2002

  • Co-ordinated a busy despatch department and supporting clients by telephone, for this film and audio production company. • Co-ordinated a busy despatch department and supporting clients by telephone, for this film and audio production company.



AVCT Ltd

• Audio Visual Manager

  • 2000 - 2001

  • Provided services in hotel conference centres, including the Hammersmith Novotel and the Strand Palace Hotel. • Provided services in hotel conference centres, including the Hammersmith Novotel and the Strand Palace Hotel.