Present: Communications Consultant for Equinox International
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Visiting Lecturer at UK Universities on video and mobile journalism.This followingmy latest book on “Videojournalism: history,pioneers,theory and practise”. 2017-19
Media Consultant, for High Spirits Events, a London-based PR & events company 2016.
Working on media engagement for events in London, using my contacts in TV,print and Radio.
Head of Media Arab Reform Initiative, Paris,France 2014 –2016
Working for independent think tank on policy advice for the transition to democracy across the Arab Region. Overseeing a bi-lingual team of media officers, writers and co-ordinating events, social media, website development and editorial output.
CEO of Restore Research- charity 2013-14
Overseeing the revival of a dormant charity, establishing media channels, new website, calendar of events and partnering with other charities and organisations in the same sector.
Successful fundraising programme of events and engaging with corporate donors
Strategic Communications Consultant DFID Start Fund. 2013
Lead Communications Consultant, produced a Strategy for establishing the Fund that gives money to small emergency disasters.
Head of Media and PR Wells Food Festival in Wells,Somerset. 2013
Established event within regional community, developing stakeholder and media engagement. Delivered a successful debate on the future of dairy farming in Somerset, with local celebrities, politicians, environmentalists and the public.
Head of Media Youth Justice Board(Ministry of Justice) 2012–2013
Interim role. Worked to the Chair. Re-established key stakeholder contacts, inter-government communications, established social media channels.
Managed 3 direct reports.:press officer,two stakeholder/internal communications officers.
International Strategic Communications Consultant 2012
Turkish EU Ministry and Prime Minister’s office in Ankara on international PR campaigns; social media and EU accession. Trained 60 people in a range of new skills.
Director News & PR , Central Office of Information (COI)- government agency 2009 – 2011
- Oversaw 55 people, in 3 regional teams, plus the In-House PR team
- Provided strategic PR advice. Clients included No10, Cabinet Office, BIS,DCLG,UKTI,UKSA, MoJ, DECC and DEFRA.
- Responsible for developing national campaigns for clients including social media. Emphasising behaviour change, monitoring and evaluation against KPIs.
- Digital and Social media Development Lead. Developed Digital Media engagement offer across the 9 regional offices Training of 125 staff in video shooting and social media delivery.
Director of Communications, SEEDA, South East England Development Agency 2008 –9
- Managed a marketing and media team of 20.
- Crisis communications management
- Wrote and implemented a Communications Change strategy.
- Worked at Board level within SEEDA. Liaised with my counterparts in central and local government
Senior PR/Communications Manager, BBC TV News 2004- 2007
- Stakeholder engagement to carry out the BBC’s mandate.
- PR brand reputation management for internal communications
Communications Consultant in Agencies 2003
Working with Bell&Pottinger, Hill&Knowlton, Edelman,British Council , Foreign Press Association,global banks BNP Pariabs,SG,ING etc. on media skills- including use of social media
International Communication Consultant UN 2000 – 2002
- Iran- International Communications Officer. Produced communication strategy
- Ethiopia -Worked on SpeakAfrica campaign for teenagers from 16 African countries, teaching journalism and video skills.
- Palestine- Produced Communication Strategy for the Palestinian National Authority
- Sudan – Produced communication campaign to eradicate FGM and to raise awareness
1998 – 2000 CNBCEurope -European Correspondent
Worked for CNBC for Covering Brussels and Europe. Presented live weekly TV programmes
1993-7 BBC TV Breakfast NEWS.
Produced as a videojournalist reports from Burma, Thailand, India, Serbia, Nepal, Tibet, Turkey, etc
1991 – 1993 FINANCIAL TIMES TV – Executive Producer
Produced the channel.Managed a team of 20, also administrative, budget and editorial responsibilities
1989 – 1991 Channel 4 News -Item Editor
Reported from Eastern Europe and Russia as the walls came down. Videojournalist and undercover.
1985-88 Freelance TV Producer/Director
Producer/Director of Channel 4’s DISPATCHES,
Languages: Fluent French, spoken German, Italian and basic Spanish, ‘taxi’ Arabic, Russian and Farsi
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS
MA in Film Studies, Westminster University
BA Hons Sociology, Sussex University
Camden School for Girls, London NW5
Other interests:
Charity events organiser over 15 years events raising money for international charities: Fashion Show for AfghanAid to raise money for women home workers. Survival International to raise money for the Bushmen’s fight to stay on their ancestral lands in Botswana. Tibet Society,War Child, Anti Slavery International and Burma Action Group.
Voluntary: Inspirational talks to secondary schoolchildren as part of Speakersforschools’ set up by Robert Peston. Media Trainer for the Media Trust and Royal Television Society.
Author:
“Cross-dressed to Kill” September 2020 Amazon and Ingram Spark
“Videojournalism:history,pioneers ,theory and practise” 2017 Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Videojournalism-History-pioneers-theory-practise/dp/1545478406
“Practising Videojournalism” 2007 Routledge
“The Alternative Guide to Universities”.Co-author. Wildwood House 1975