About Me

I’m a professional journalist, copywriter and editor with 18 years experience online and in print. Highly motivated and an ambitious self-starter, I am able to produce content for a wide range of audiences to very high standards. I also have extensive project management, staff management and client-liaison skills, including 18 months experience at a major creative agency, producing and editing content for a variety of blue-chip clients.

Experience

Freelance Journalist, Copywriter & Editor, 2008-

As a proactive freelancer I daily meet the challenge of winning business from new and existing clients – from pitching story ideas to ensuring that my work is delivered on time and to consistently high standards. Through this approach I’ve been able to secure repeat business from clients such as Future Publishing, IDG and John Brown. I also have sole editorial responsibility for managing two key client projects at creative agency FuturePlus.

Associate Editor, Future Publishing, 2005-2008

Worked as part of the senior management team on the launch one of Future’s biggest website launches – TechRadar.com. Here I enjoyed developing the editorial strategy and managing the editorial team as well as writing, editing and commissioning content for the website. I was also actively involved in representing the website at international industry exhibitions and events, developing key industry contacts and acting as a spokesperson for the site on TV and radio. Within two years from launch TechRadar regularly attracted two million unique users per month.

Freelance Journalist & Editor, 2002-2005

As a successful freelancer I regularly pitched for and won repeat commissions from leading UK publishers, including Future Publishing, BBC Magazines Bristol and Media 10 for whom I wrote a regular column for Channel 4’s Grand Designs Magazine. I was also selected to work as a key member of the editorial launch team for Digital Home Magazine with responsibility for writing, commissioning, editing and project management.

Editor, T3, 1997-2002

Worked as a highly successful reviews editor before being promoted to editor of T3 in June 2000. Responsibilities included writing, editing and commissioning a wide variety of content for publication; developing the editorial strategy and project management. I also enjoyed representing the magazine on TV and radio, as well as at international exhibitions and events.

Education

University Of Teesside, Middlesbrough, Cleveland — BA (Hons) Humanities, 1987.

Skills

Writing for the reader; understanding client needs; matching writing style to customer tone of voice; turning complex topics into engaging and highly readable content; working with fellow creatives (writers, photographers, designers, etc) to produce work to very high standards; developing positive working relationships with industry professionals at all levels; interviewing skills; good working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and website content management systems; project management (deadlines, budgets and staff) and commercial awareness.

Referrals

Supplied on request.