The Spark - PR and management coaching and training in Devon
Helping you be the best you can be

My experience can work for your business

I have 25 years experience in public relations and management as a practitioner, academic and author. Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills. Expertise in copywriting, editing, in-house PR, and freelance journalism. Author of the The Public Relations Handbook, a standard text in PR. Co-ordinator of the first SW PR practitioners Conference, Behind the Spin,in 2006. As the first Head of Education for the CIPR, built a bridge between practice and education in PR.

PR Consultant and Coach, The Spark
July 2009 to date

Delivery of one to one and group PR strategy sessions for small businesses and sole practitioners

Expertise in media relations and employee communications

Delivery of interpersonal and professional skills training in better presentations, time management, stress management, assertiveness at work and home

Stakeholder mapping and Business Communication Audit

Senior Lecturer, College of St Mark & St John, Plymouth
August 2004 – July 2009

Delivering undergraduate teaching on BA Public Relations and BA Management

Undertaking course redevelopment, and design of FDA top up and MA in Corporate Communications

Co-ordinated Behind the Spin, the first Conference for PR practitioners in the SW, September 2006. 120 practitioners attended over 2 days.

Collaborating with colleagues in Australia on writing skills.

Senior Lecturer, Worcester Business School, University of Worcester
February – July 2009

Delivery of courses in Integrated Marketing Communications and PR Practice.

Course Tutor, CIPR Diploma, Bristol
September 2004 – August 2007, and from September 2009 to date

Delivery of Diploma sessions for up to 25 professional practitioners

Scholar in Residence and Co-director Integrated Marketing Communications MA, Emerson College, Boston MA, USA
January 2002 – August 2003

Delivered UG and PG courses in Principles of PR, PR Writing, Global PR

Head of Education & Training, Chartered Institute of Public Relations, London
December 1999- March 2001

Developed CIPR PG professional qualifications, Diploma and Advanced Certificate

Devised Developing Excellence, first CPD scheme for PR industry in Europe, incorporating nationally recognized Training Framework

Improved, maintained and expanded relationships with Approved Courses in the UK

Developed Approved Training status and created relationships with other PR training organizations

Principal Lecturer and Course Leader, PR Studies, Leeds Business School
September 1995- August 1998
Senior Lecturer, Public Relations Studies, Leeds Business School
July 1990-August 1994

First lecturer to deliver BA in PR

Development of UG programmes

Creating links with European institutions through Erasmus, plus US and Australia

Management of academic staff team

Public Relations Practitioner, executive to director level
October 1982 – June 1990

Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale:Senior PR Officer

National Museum of Photography: Press Officer

Institute of Housing: Deputy Editor

Association of Photographers: PR Director

Performing Right Society: PR Executive

Freelance journalist
1984 – 1990
Regular contributor to Creative Review, British Journal of Photography, The Photographer, Photography. Occasional articles for The Independent, the Guardian, Marxism Today, Best.


Publications
The Public Relations Handbook (3rd edn 2008) Routledge
Effective Media Relations (3rd edn 2005) with Bland & Wragg, Kogan Page