Bridgend, Wales, United Kingdom
I started my career in journalism as a trainee reporter for my local newspaper and from there developed a love for storytelling. I'm fortunate to have worked in an industry that has allowed me to grow, and I'm now heading up the communications and engagement service at Valleys to Coast, a housing association with its customers and colleagues at its heart. My day to day sees me setting the strategic direction and oversight of communications, community engagement and customer service.
Leading the communications, engagement and customer services teams, ensuring that customer voice and experience is at the heart of everything we do.
Setting and delivering strategic communications across the whole organisation, for our customers, colleagues and stakeholders - ensuring we maintain a positive image in the way we look, sound and present ourselves. In the main, I devise, develop and deliver creative ways to communicate key information to our internal and external audiences (and have a bit of fun along the way!)
Lead officer for media relations, social media strategy and digital marketing, developing and delivering creative campaigns to a wide range of key stakeholder groups and staff. I spent my days writing for press and handling sensitive media issues, advising senior colleagues and supporting colleagues across the authority to maximise positive coverage and engagement across traditional media, social media and via direct marketing. I am experienced at emergency and crisis communications, reputation management and media law. Proud to have led on award-winning campaigns, including most recently CIPR PRide Gold Corporate and Business Communications Campaign 2020 for a campaign I created and delivered to raise the profile of the authority's Executive Board
Freelance writer for local media including Swansea Life Magazine and Swansea Bay Business Life. Supporting small businesses to maximise PR opportunities and raise profiles
All aspects of community reporting and covering major news events for a local newspaper. Starting off as a trainee reporter and learning 'on the job' from colleagues to achieve my NVQ Level 4 in Newspaper Writing. On promotion, to Chief Reporter and News Editor, I ran the news desk and managed the news team, gathering stories, sub-editing copy and arranging article placement in the paper.