About me

I am a communications professional with top level experience in journalism, business, politics and campaigns. My specialisms include speech writing, training and publicity, as well as advice on communications strategy.

My work has ranged from producing award-winning radio programmes and writing speeches for global business leaders to managing multimedia teams and securing front page media coverage to help organisations get their message across. My interests include education, digital communications, energy and climate change and the role of business in society.  I have also been a singer-songwriter and guitarist since my teens and I am now making time to play and record my songs, resuming the musical career I gave up in my twenties.

Here’s my career in brief.

1978-82         Singer-songwriter, solo and with various bands, signed to Carlin Publishing
1981-85         Reporter for the Surrey Mirror, Redhill, UK
1985-87         Press officer for UK Department of Education
1987-93         Senior Producer, BBC Today Programme
1993-94         Press Secretary to UK Liberal Democrat Leader, Paddy Ashdown
1994-96         Head of Media Relations, BTEC (Business and Technician Education Council)
1996-98         Director of Communications, European Movement
1998-2002     Speechwriter, BT
2002-10         Writer and consultant with clients including the BT, BP, HSE, AstraZeneca and Clifford Chance
2010-16         Editor-in-chief, BP
2016-             Writer, coach, consultant with clients including the Royal Society
2021-2025     Councillor, on Wiltshire and Trowbridge Town Councils
2022-2026     Musician, with first album due in 2026

Qualifications:
MA in English from Oxford University
National Council for the Training of Journalists Proficiency Certificate;