Experience
Various clients including central government (GOV.UK), Lloyds and Pret a Manger
Consultant senior content designer (UX writer)
Since 2016
- Leading on content in multidisciplinary agile teams
- Writing plain English accessible user-centred content for transactional services and guidance
- Implementing Government Digital Service (GDS) standards
- Managing and influencing stakeholders and explaining content decisions
- Understanding complex legacy systems and ensuring content meets business goals
- Writing end-to-end microcopy, including error messages
- Creating simple internal and external comms (notifications, emails, letters)
- Checking grammatical, factual and legal accuracy
- Prototyping and using other collaboration design tools to share ideas
- Ensuring teams maintain consistency in style and tone of voice
- Analysing, user testing and iterating content
- Mentoring and skill sharing
Burberry, Gravity Road, Homes and Antiques, River, Seven, Think
Freelance senior sub-editor, copywriter and production editor
Nov 2014 to Dec 2019
- Wrote social media posts, ads and email content for Ramblers’ Walk magazine
- Managed the workflow for content creation for Sainsbury's Homemadebyyou.co.uk
- Distributed work to freelancers
- Subbed and scheduled daily news stories, recipes and features
- Subbed content for Sainsbury’s magazines, the Tu blog, the Waste Less Save More campaign, fujitsu.com, Vita Coco’s Swearbyit.com
- Subbed product copy and marketing materials for Burberry.com
Which? (print and digital)
Sub-editor
Sep 2012 to Oct 2014 and Mar 2010 to Sep 2011
- Subbed and coordinated a range of print content across all publications
- Edited web content for Which.co.uk and helped develop the first iPad app
Drapers, Gardeners’ World, Take a Break, Weight Watchers magazines
Freelance senior sub-editor and digital content editor
Apr 2005 – Sep 2012
- Subbed a range of magazines
- Helped produce the first iPad apps for Gardeners’ World Magazine
BBC Radio 4, World Service Arts
Freelance researcher
Mar 2007 – Feb 2009
- Found stories and produced interviews and discussions for You and Yours
- Researched, provided production support and updated websites
Comic Relief
Freelance reporter
Apr 2005 – Mar 2007
- Sensitively secured access to and interviewed contributors from vulnerable groups for Red Nose Day
- Pitched stories for media coverage
- Mentored a reporter in a different region
Interworld Radio (Panos)
Freelance international news writer (online reporter)
Apr 2005 – Mar 2007
- Sourced and wrote daily online international news stories
- Mentored an intern and journalists in developing countries, helping them create radio features
BBC Radio 4
Broadcast assistant (research, producing, studio support)
Feb 1998 – Apr 2005
- Worked predominantly on live radio for Woman’s Hour, then the weekly Home Truths
- Pitched stories, researched, wrote scripts and produced interviews, a feature and discussions
- Researched and provided studio support for You and Yours, Veg Talk, Any Answers and Radio Drama
- Looked after high profile guests
- Screened callers and put them through to presenters live on air for Veg Talk and Any Answers
- Worked with various other teams, such as BBC Proms, Radio Picture Publicity and the Governors' office
Education
HNC Costume construction Newham College, 2017 – 2018
MSc Social research methods (distinction) Middlesex University, graduated 2001
BSc (Hons) Psychology (upper second) University of Plymouth, graduated 1999
Professional skills
• Figma
• Basic HTML, Markdown
• GOV.UK Design System and prototype kit
• Collaboration tools like Google, Jira, Miro, Trello
• Content management systems including LocalGov Drupal, WordPress, Whitehall Publisher
• Broadcasting
• Researching and producing
• Sub-editing
• Copywriting, such as scripts, billings and briefs, magazine copy, news, features, headlines and standfirsts, ads, guidance, instructions
• Placement at the National Theatre costume department
• Adobe InDesign and Photoshop (London College of Communication)
• Surface pattern design for textiles (Leeds College of Art)
• Professional sewing techniques (London College of Fashion)
• Block making (tailoring) (Central St Martins)