Writer, editor, presenter, trainer, consultant, mentor, wordmonger – notably (and lengthily) at FourFourTwo from 2004 to 2018 but I have also wrangled words for the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Sun, The Athletic, Metro, Heat, Stuff, Manchester United FC, The Bolton News, When Saturday Comes, What Hi-Fi?, Practical Motorhome and doubtless many others whose names currently escape me. Like the hackney cabs from which we derive the word ‘hack’, I’m available for hire by whoever may ask.
• Award-winning senior editor and industry leader in digital media.
• Pioneer in data-led analysis, with the ability to leverage quantitative and qualitative insights to design and implement effective media and audience strategies for emerging global markets.
• Building and managing strong partnerships with multiple stakeholders, internal and external.
• 15 years’ experience managing and mentoring teams, particularly in digital skills development.
• Effective and motivating leader able to effect change in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
• Superior written and oral communication skills with longstanding professional expertise in sports, technology, music and digital journalism.
• Confident and engaging public speaker from conferences to live television news.
• Designing and delivering digital media skills training for the BBC and Haymarket Media Group.
• Multimedia production skills including copy writing and script writing, video and audio production, directing and presenting for TV and podcasts.
2017 FourFourTwo – Shortlisted, International Consumer Media Brand, PPA Awards
2017 FourFourTwo – Shortlisted, Global Digital Brand, PPA Digital Awards
2016 FourFourTwo – Shortlisted, International Consumer Media Brand, PPA Awards
2016 FourFourTwo/BetVictor – Shortlisted, Commercial Partnership, PPA Digital Awards
2015 FourFourTwo – Winner, Best Use of Social Media, AOP Digital Publishing Awards
2015 FourFourTwo – Shortlisted, Gamechanger, PPA Awards
2015 FourFourTwo – Shortlisted, Best Use of Social Media, PPA Awards
2015 FourFourTwo – Shortlisted, International Consumer Media Brand, PPA Awards
2012 Stats Zone – Winner, Grand Prix, AOP Digital Publishing Awards
2012 Stats Zone – Winner, Brand-Building Initiative, British Society of Magazine Editors
2012 Stats Zone – Winner, Best Media Innovation, AOP Digital Publishing Awards
2012 Stats Zone – Winner, App of the Year, PPA Digital Publishing Awards
2012 Stats Zone – Winner, Best Use of Mobile, AOP Digital Publishing Awards
2012 Stats Zone – Shortlisted, Digital Product, PPA Awards
2012 FourFourTwo Performance – Shortlisted, Best Launch, AOP Digital Publishing Awards
Creative Director, Development Media
Jun 2018 to date
Multidisciplinary combination of writing, editing, sub-editing, consulting and training for various media outlets and a Premier League club who wish to remain anonymous, balanced with longer-term creative projects.
Global Digital Editor, FourFourTwo
Feb 2015 - Sep 2018
Co-ordination of FourFourTwo’s established and expanding international network of partners and licensees, the better to establish a global presence in the digital football marketplace – with a particular eye on the build-up to the 2018 World Cup. By early 2018, the numbers had reached 5m monthly website users delivering 22m page views, while a social media following north of 4m delivered an 80m monthly social reach.
Editor, FourFourTwo.com
Feb 2008 - Feb 2015
In charge of all output on FourFourTwo’s digital offerings, including the ever-growing main site, the ratings-based Talentspotter spinoff, the branded Weekend Wonders sub-site for players and the multiple award-winning Stats Zone app. Overseeing 400% rise in staffing levels as FourFourTwo.com grew to reflect increasing demand. Developing new ideas and revenue streams while remaining true to FourFourTwo’s core brand ethos.
Deputy Editor, FourFourTwo magazine
Feb 2004 - Feb 2008
Key editorial member responsible for overall output of market-leading football magazine and all its associated supplements. Scheduling, feature planning, budgeting, commissioning, editing, proofing, production and running the office jukebox.
Section editor, production editor, deputy editor at Haymarket
Oct 1999 - Feb 2004
2002-2004: Deputy Editor – Stuff • 2001-2002: Production Editor – What Hi-Fi? • 1999-2001: Associate Editor, Section Editor, News Editor, Production Editor – The Net
Quickly identified as a versatile all-rounder with managerial potential. Learnt the magazine trade via various roles around Haymarket’s consumer titles.
Online Editor, Electronic Telegraph
Feb 1999 - Oct 1999
With the PA working week (see below) being 40 hours over four days, this allowed for weekend shift work at the Telegraph’s nascent website, editing and uploading copy via a grounding in HTML.
Sub-editor, Press Association
Nov 1997 - Oct 1999
Producing page-ready copy to tight daily deadlines and exacting third-party requirements; then, as Senior Sub-editor, overseeing production of page-ready copy by managing a team of sub-editors.
Writer and sub-editor, Builder & Engineer magazines
Jun 1996 - Nov 1997
Reporter and copy-readier for a string of regionally targeted, advertising-led B2B magazines.
University of Humberside: BA (Hons) Communication Processes (2:1).
Bury Grammar School: Three A-levels, 10 GCSEs at A-C.
Making music: A guitarist and vocalist, I have sung in Welsh on live TV.
Football coaching: FA-qualified, I coached a successful girls’ team through from U12 to U16 level.
Walking: I recently completed a charitable 120km circumnavigation of London for Mencap.
Writing about architecture, people and place.
Reading. A lot.