Head of Marketing & Communications

• Jan 2022 - Present

Part of a senior management team, driving change and growth in revenues and audiences at an established heritage charity, which is custodian of a range of remarkable historic sites including Fishbourne Roman Palace and Lewes Castle & Museum. The Society is also a thriving membership organisation with a well-regarded research and publishing arm. My roles include: -Strategic oversight and delivery of marketing and communications activities for the whole organisation including direct management of membership and marketing teams -Driving growth in visitor numbers across all sites, with focus on targeting families during school holiday periods including February half term (35% vs 2019), Easter (32%) and October half term (7%) -Creation and development of new targeted membership campaign (with clearly defined segmented audiences and new customer journey) focused on new and existing members, contributing towards a 12-month retention rate of 73% -Creation and implementation of Adopt a Part of the Long Man of Wilmington, an innovative fundraising campaign raising more than 10k and securing regional and national press interest -Introduction of new Gift Aid system projected to generate an additional 30k a year -Development and roll out of new brand guidelines -Development and roll out of Weddings Business and Marketing Plan, forecasting 50% growth in income within three years -Working with agency partners to manage, create content for and develop the Society's website (160k visitors a year) -Oversight of all comms channels including PR and social media channels, supported by new Social Media Strategy -Editor of Sussex Past & Present, a bi-annual membership magazine for audiences ranging from families to leading academics -Creation of data-driven processes to support decisions on admissions, opening times & membership pricing -Supported the creation of a new fundraising proposition, developing key messages and touchpoints for a range of audiences across on / offline channels Show less

Trustee - Strategy Lead

• Mar 2021 - Present

Working on a voluntary basis as trustee for an established charity supporting struggling families within my local area. Tasks include leading on strategy and reputational management (including working with trustees, staff and volunteers to develop and roll-out a three-year Strategic Plan), supporting the Chief Executive and providing trustee oversight (including attending ten board meetings a year). Working on a voluntary basis as trustee for an established charity supporting struggling families within my local area. Tasks include leading on strategy and reputational management (including working with trustees, staff and volunteers to develop and roll-out a three-year Strategic Plan), supporting the Chief Executive and providing trustee oversight (including attending ten board meetings a year).

Deputy Head of Communications

• Mar 2017 - Jan 2022

Hired initially on a freelance basis to develop and grow the Councils' communications service and since taken on full-time in a newly-created senior role. The role includes:-Working directly with senior decision makers and politicians across two separate councils to deliver compelling coherent messages which promote, protect and enhance the organisation’s reputation-Creating stories to inform and increase awareness of Councils' activities to 160,000 residents which are tailored and targeted across a range of platforms, including print and social media-Managing and training a team of in-house staff, freelancers and an apprentice to meet the demands of internal and external clients-Creating and managing a series of award-winning campaigns, such as Opening Doors (winner of Campaign of the Year at the UK Housing Awards); Garden Waste, which increased sales by 15% within six months; and Going Local, an innovative social prescribing service shortlisted at the MJ Awards 2019-Developing an evolving iterative social media strategy to increase audience reach by 25% (achieved within six months)-Overseeing communications function for a range of external clients including the Greater Brighton Economic Board, TCV and iEse-Growing the 'communications business' by generating revenue from a range of internal and external clients seeing surplus increase from 5k to 60k in two years and allow for reinvestment into the team and Councils-Creating and running a variety of internal comms initiatives, including a workplace transformation programme and staff wellbeing scheme-Responsible for Councils awards entries, which includes shortlisting for the prestigious LGC Council of the Year award 2020 and MJ Local Authority of the Year 2020-Managing staffing and day-to-day budgets, including long-term forecasting-Completion of CIPR diploma-Handpicked as one of 12 future leaders of the organisation for a year-long leadership course Show less

Interim Communication Advisor

• Mar 2017 - Jan 2018

Hired initially on a freelance basis to develop and grow Adur & Worthing Councils' communications service, then taken on in a full-time capacity in a senior role.

Freelance - journalist, PR and media trainer

• 2007 - 2020

Copy, content and coaching for media organisations and the private and public sector. Produced content for a variety of publications including national and regional newspapers and magazines, as well as online publications (eg BBC Sunday Politics, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times, Observer Sport Monthly, ITV, Mail on Sunday, Guardian). Employed to offer media training to private businesses and charities, in addition to copywriting for a range of businesses and leading digital agencies. PR and public affairs support. Video and Social Media consultancy. Formerly head of media (voluntary) at The Justin Campaign, a national charity set up to eliminate homophobia from football. Show less

Programme editor / producer

• Aug 2016 - Aug 2017

Work on a freelance basis as a producer and programme editor for an Emmy-nominated international news television channel based in London. This included overseeing the running order and creation of content for news, business and sport programming; liaising with colleagues, internally and externally, to set up live on-location interviews from around the world; writing and editing scripts for on-air talent; production of news packages; and monitoring ongoing news developments across the world. Work on a freelance basis as a producer and programme editor for an Emmy-nominated international news television channel based in London. This included overseeing the running order and creation of content for news, business and sport programming; liaising with colleagues, internally and externally, to set up live on-location interviews from around the world; writing and editing scripts for on-air talent; production of news packages; and monitoring ongoing news developments across the world.

Head of News, Sport and Current Affairs

• Feb 2014 - Aug 2016

Headhunted to lead, recruit and establish the news team at Latest TV, Brighton's local television station. My roles included overseeing the production of 18 hours of new original content each week, including ten hours of live TV (working in line with Ofcom regulations). Responsible for managing six-figure contract with the BBC which included daily client contact. Line management for a team of contracted staff, freelancers and contributors. Developed new website and social media strategy for the company. Oversee day-to-day use of all online channels, which includes creating tailored content for web. Building and maintaining strong links with public bodies, private firms and third sector across the city. Producer and writer of short films and documentaries commissioned by BBC Inside Out. Monitoring audience figures and web stats (eg Google Analytics) to produce reports for company directors. Member of the Local TV News Network which includes representing 30 channels on the UK Press Card Authority. Show less

Local government reporter

• May 2010 - Feb 2014

Award-winning political journalist specialising in local government. I was responsible for covering the vibrant political patch of Sussex and Westminster. During that time I built personal relationships with politicians, including MPs, across all parties to accurately present complex stories in an interesting and impartial way. Weekly columnist, social media, website editing and regular news desk management experience. Awarded Columnist of the Year at EDF London and South of England journalism awards 2014 – overall winner and Specialist Journalist of the Year at the EDF London and South of England 2012 – highly commended. Show less

Trainee reporter

• Apr 2009 - Apr 2010