Career
I’m an award-winning editor and writer with two decades’ experience producing engaging publications and web content across the charity, education and corporate sectors.
Freelance editor, journalist and copywriter 2014 – present
After 15 years as a magazine editor and publications manager for major membership organisations, I turned freelance in 2014. I now work for big brands, charities, membership associations, educational organisations and content agencies, delivering:
comms project management, from initial concept to finished product
clear, concise and compelling writing for print, web and social media
meticulous, speedy sub-editing and proof-reading
consultancy and training in brand tone of voice, effective writing and house style.
Take a look at some of my freelance journalism, editing, content marketing and publications projects.
Editor, The Teacher, National Union of Teachers 2006 – 2014
We won! The Teacher scoops the Best Magazine title at the TUC Communications Awards, after I overhauled the content and design.
I was the first female editor of The Teacher, the National Union of Teachers’ membership magazine, in its 130-year history. Managing a team of three staff and annual budget of up to £1.6m, I produced eight magazines (and six supplements) each year for a third of a million NUT members across England and Wales. The role drew on my full range of journalistic and editorial skills, from feature-writing, interviewing and commissioning to page layouts, picture editing and print-buying. I also introduced an online edition and social media communications.
Publications Editor, National Childminding Association 1999 – 2006
I joined NCMA during a time of rapid growth and change for the association and childcare sector. My main responsibility was Who Minds?, the quarterly magazine for NCMA’s 52,000 registered childminder members, which was Best Association Magazine runner-up at the 2006 MemCom Awards. When the government reformed childcare inspections, I worked in partnership with the Department for Education and Ofsted to produce special magazines guiding childminders through the changes. I also helped implement a new brand identity for the association and wrote and edited a vast range of materials, from handbooks and policy documents to kids’ magazines and party packs.
Editor, Lloyds of London Press (now Informa) 1997 – 1999
Editing business journals Internal Communication and Focus on Change Management, I researched, commissioned and subbed best-practice case studies from corporations and consultants worldwide. I also reported on news, trends and events, and typeset both publications.
Early work experience
As a student, I taught English in a French lycée, worked in the entertainments team at two French holiday camps, and was a nursing home care assistant. I became entertainments editor for my university newspaper, did work placements on Country Living Magazine and Virgin Atlantic’s The Globe, and had my first freelance work published in the Daily Telegraph.
Education
BA Hons (first class) in French and English literature, University of Reading
A levels in English, French and Maths
Training
(all short courses lasting one to three days, except where noted)
Writing
feature writing
introduction to freelance journalism
interviewing for journalists
writing in plain English
creative writing (two terms with author Philip Pullman at university, two years of evening classes)
storytelling (one term of evening classes)
scriptwriting for film and TV
Multimedia
website management
introduction to HTML
new ways to make journalism pay (focusing on blogging and social media)
digital photography
digital photo library management
making short films for organising and campaigning
creating digital publications with Foleon
Management and personal effectiveness
management styles
conducting appraisals for personal and professional development
time management
safer recruitment (online training)
effective governance
Equality
diversity and equal opportunities
making your writing accessible
disability equality awareness
Software packages
Microsoft Office
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Acrobat Pro
Quark XPress
Apple Pages
Apple iMovie
Useful extras
clean UK driving licence and own car
able to work from home or anywhere from London to the south coast
member of the National Union of Journalists
enhanced DBS clearance (for work with children)
French speaker
Outside of work
parent governor at a primary academy trust
ballet, yoga and swimming
creative writing
film, theatre and music