My Career…

Skills

Career history

Aftermarket Magazine – November 2013 – March 2017

Editor

• Editing this industry-leading magazine focusing on the vehicle repair and service market
• Writing features based around latest topics and product specific areas to inform readers of challenges the industry faces and the latest products and services for their businesses
• Working with manufacturers of equipment for the industry and leading bodies representing garages, equipment manufacturers and the motor industry as a whole
• Sourcing contributors for business and technical stories that will strike a chord with our 30,000 readers
• Sub-editing contributions to the magazine house style and checking for spelling, grammatical and factual errors
• Writing for both print (10 issues a year) and online via the Aftermarket website
• Organising Top Technician, a UK-wide competition to find the industry’s best automotive technician, including online and practical rounds and a training event.
• Moved with magazine when it was acquired by DFA Media in August 2015

Smithers Pira – February 2011 – November 2013

Assistant Editor

• Responsible for running the company’s +Plastic Electronics magazine and a number of trade e-journals surrounding food packaging and lighting markets
• Wrote features and market reports about innovations in flexible and organic electronics, including OLED displays and lighting and OPV systems, as well as anti-counterfeiting measures and LED lighting systems
• Interviewed academics, CEOs and experts in an expanding electronic market
• Put together white papers on areas such as OLED lighting in vehicles and wearable technology
• Worked to re-develop the +Plastic Electronics website and move it behind a pay wall
• Analysed analytics and trends to see what content readers enjoyed, and planning more in these regions.

Disability Product News – October 2009 – November 2010

Editor

• Wrote for both trade and consumers of disability products including wheelchairs, crutches, beds, mobility scooters and vehicles
• Commissioned writers and leading a design team to create an engaging magazine that covers two different types of reader
• Planned advance features and working with advertisers to ensure their needs and those of the reader are met
• Led a redesign of the magazine, including a rebranding and expansion in freelance staff
• Reviewed vehicles for the mobility section

Practical Motorhome – January 2008 – June 2009

Technical Writer

• Created and wrote features on the technical side of motorhomes
• Worked with contributors to answer reader queries and develop step-by-step features
• Planned and conducted travel articles, leading photo shoots and planning trips
• Arranged and conducted vehicle reviews
• Arranged reviews and competitions of consumer products
• Represented the title at various shows throughout the UK, and motorhome launches in Europe

Car Audio Retailer – January 2005 – January 2007

Features Editor / Editor

• Began as Features Editor and took over the magazine as Editor in January 2006
• Planned, arranged and wrote features on consumer products in the in-car entertainment industry for trade readers
• Worked with leading consumer product manufacturers to bring relevant content to readers on areas including head-units, speakers, subwoofers and satellite navigation systems
• Organised the magazine’s annual EXPO trade show and judging at the annual ICE Award

Qualifications and Achievements

South East Essex College (September 2002 – July 2005)

• Journalism (BA Honours) – 2:1
• Essex Enquirer Award for Academic Achievement
• Nominated for Beacon Award (For College Publications)

Palmers Sixth Form College (September 1998 – July 2000)

• Media and Communication (GNVQ Advanced) – Distinction
• Communication Studies (A Level) – B

The Laindon High School (September 1993 – July 1998)

• 12 GCSE’s at grade A-C including English, Maths and Science.