I am a creative senior marketing communications professional with over 20 years’ experience in the charity, public and private sectors, with strengths in strategic marketing communications, engagement and campaigns gained both in-house and in consultancy.

My career includes seven years as Head of Corporate Communications at national charity Citizens Advice, and seven years with education specialist agency Communications Management, where I worked with clients in health and education.

My passion for issues-based communications stems from a previous career in the social care field. I’ve been a volunteer for several charities, most recently as trustee for family support charity Home-Start St Albans. As a result, my particular focus as a freelance consultant is on the not for profit sector.

Because I have worked in consultancy, I know what questions to ask and get things moving quickly. Consequently, I am a skilled and cost effective resource for organisations that need additional marketing communications support and expertise. If I take on a project, it will be delivered on time, on budget and most importantly meet my client’s objectives.

I have a degree in Social Policy and a CAM Diploma in Public Relations.

Achievements

• Implementing and embedding a re-brand across the Citizens Advice Service. The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (widely known as NACAB) became Citizens Advice to align itself more closely with its member bureaux.
• Establishing county-wide Northamptonshire Carers’ Award as part of an integrated campaign – Look after someone? Who looks after you? – to raise the profile of carers and encourage take-up of carer support services. The awards are now in their fifth year.
• Who’s the Daddy? campaign prompted a 16% increase in the use of young people’s contraception and sexual health services in Peterborough, after a short film shot in the city and featuring two ‘pregnant’ teenage boys went viral.
• Aiming High for Disabled Children campaign resulted in a 24% increase in contacts from parents with children with special needs to Northamptonshire’s Families Information Service.
• Choose the right route campaign to discourage inappropriate use of A&E in North East Essex led to a 29% increase in use of the Walk in Centre and a 14% increase in use of the Minor Injuries Unit.
• Receiving industry awards for effective campaigns including Who’s the Daddy? (sexual health) for NHS Peterborough, Look after someone? Who looks after you? (carers) for Northamptonshire County Council and an IVCA gold award for A glimpse of the future, a film to reposition the Citizens Advice Service.
• Coaching and developing junior staff to become confident, successful and ambitious communications professionals.