About Me

I’m sociable, lively, conscientious and up for a challenge. Story-telling & presenting is in my blood, and I’ve never imagined doing anything else for a career – talking to people, finding stories and presenting them in an exciting, engaging way.

I’ve enjoyed more than 8 years in the industry so far, constantly developing my skills and professional journalistic training.

I'm used to working with teams and establishing bonds quickly - I'm extremely professional and take pride in the fact that I am always asked back to companies to carry out more broadcasting work. I'm friendly, patient and efficient - extremely down-to-earth and easy to work with - a real team player, which is always a plus in this industry.

Presenting

Experience

Specialist Areas

Employment History & Experience

March 2010 – Current
Presenter, BBC Manchester Shows & Tours
On the run up to the exciting launch of the BBC’s new home at Salford Quays, I’m working as an ambassador for BBC Manchester. I lead interactive sessions for BBC audiences. I deliver lively presentations about BBC content, such as North West Tonight, the BBC Philharmonic, Comedy Unit and network radio. I also facilitate radio drama and news & weather sessions – creating a unique BBC experience for audience members and connecting with them, face-to-face.

Nov/Dec Presenter, BBC One Strictly Come Dancing Events
I single-head presented high-profile events to promote the BBC One series.

July 2008 – July 2009
Broadcaster Trafficlink
I worked as a regional and national travel reporter, contracted to Trafficlink, providing bulletins for BBC & commercial North West stations and also national Traffic Radio. I’m fully conversant with the REGIS & NPS systems, providing more than 80 live and pre-recorded bulletins in any one day.

Jan 2007 – Current Broadcast Journalist & Storyteller BBC & LCC
I freelanced for the BBC and Lancashire County Council in a variety of roles across projects such as “BBC Family Wanted” and “Loud in Libraries.” With the BBC – I co-ordinated high profile events as well as working as a Broadcast Journalist. With the council – I worked as a storyteller, ran media awareness sessions and fronted pop concerts as part of the “Loud in Libraries” season.

March 2006 – Dec 2006 Project Officer & Broadcast Journalist, BBC Restoration Roadshows
I worked as 1 of 2 POs co-ordinating the Restoration Roadshows across 21 locations in the UK, delivering the 360 degree aims of the project, in terms of facilitating learning in the endangered building heritage crafts. I built networks with heritage partners, ensured maximum multimedia coverage and organised outside broadcasts, whilst carrying out the everyday duties of a Broadcast Journalist creating stories, packages and live reports from the featured buildings. It was also my responsibility to provide online material – including BBC quality digital photographic images.

July 2005 – March 2006
Project Officer & Broadcast Journalist BBC Health Works Awards
It was my responsibility to generate multimedia coverage for the Awards, ensuring optimum numbers of applications from the UK’s business communities. As one of 4 POs working in the regions, it was my role to find suitable editorial for local radio stations and regional tv. I also produced radio packages for local & national broadcast via GNS, carried out live reporting and put together features for BBCi. This role involved networking and building partnerships with high profile commercial and charitable organisations outside of the BBC.

Aug 2004 to May 2005
Researcher/Assistant Producer BBC Countryfile
It was my responsibility to organise shoots for the BBC's main rural and agricultural affairs programme. From initiating lead stories, compiling scripts to shooting and editing my own mini-features, this role has allowed me to develop expertise in all areas of tv production.

March & April 2004
BBC Cumbria Broadcast Journalist
As part of my MA training I worked as a news BJ at BBC Cumbria, preparing packages, bulletin pieces and presenting live two ways for the news-based programmes at BBC Radio Cumbria.

Sept 2001 to August 2004
BBC Radio Lancashire Broadcast Journalist & Weekend Presenter
My staff position was that of weekend presenter and BJ on the pilot BBC learning bus team. As a programme maker I visited towns and villages in the county, producing multimedia material in conjunction with campaigns. I also presented a three hour music and lifestyle programme on Sunday evenings.

Jan 2001 to Aug 2001
BBC Radio Lancashire - Afternoon BJ
I was the afternoon BJ with on-air and off-air responsibilities. I produced the programme and originated story ideas and series. I presented OBs from the station radio van into the programme.

Jan 2000 to Dec 2000
BBC FutureWorld Presenter
Toured Britain with the BBC FutureWorld Exhibition. It was my role to present the BBC's digital vision of "Beyond 2000" to a variety of audiences in lecture theatres and on local and regional radio and tv. I worked in Bradford, Leeds, Newcastle, Cardiff, Manchester and London.

Aug 1999 to Dec 1999
BBC Radio Lancashire Broadcast Assistant
Planned features, wrote scripts and arranged studio bookings for a variety of programmes on BBC Radio Lancashire. Most of my time was spent working on the flagship morning programme - The Happy Daft Farm.

Music

Experience

Vocal Skills

Employment History & Experience

I am a soprano singer/songwriter. I have performed in a signed professional band called The Albinos, as a backing singer. We were signed to The Animal Farm, London.

Experience & Qualifications

General Experience

I'm a BJTC qualified Broadcast Journalist with more thn 8 years experience working as a presenter, compere, journalist, traffic reporter and voice-over artist. I've worked for the BBC and commercial radio & tv companies.

I am extremely versatile - I feel comfortable dealing with the heaviest, investigative news stories and documentaries and I’m just as comfortable with personality led lighter programming and features.

From fronting pop concerts to grilling MPs, hosting quiz shows to investigative reporting, I can adapt to any situation, knowing I’ve got the appropriate editorial and legal training to back me up.

I’m fully conversant with multi-media technologies, which I've found is always beneficial when working with multi–media clients. From self-shooting items, auto-cue, picture editing, photography to sound editing. I’m keen to be involved in any project and can be available for work at short notice.

Qualifications & Training

University of Central Lancashire

MA in Broadcast Journalism – Distinction
Post-Grad Broadcast Journalist - Distinction
Converted the post grad into an MA, over the summer of 2004

University of Liverpool John Moores & University of Leeds
First Class BA (Hons) Media Studies and English

Accrington and Rossendale College
4 A levels
English (A) Media (A) History (B) General Studies (C)

The Hollins County High School
9 GCSEs
English (A) Literature (A) Media (A) History (A) Business (A) Religious Education (A) Maths (B) French (B) Science (B)

Other Information

Relevant Skills

I have professional experience of:

Presenting radio & TV for the BBC and commerical companies

BBC Radio work includes:
Radio 4, Radio 7, Radio 2, Radio Lancashire, Radio Merseyside, Radio Cumbria, BBC Scotland

BBC TV Work includes:
BBC ONE Strictly Come Dancing - presenting regional events
BBC ONE Countryfile
BBC Restoration

Professional Voice-Over Work includes:
BBC Trails
BBC Drama-Documentary "On a Summers Day In France"

Commerical Radio includes:
Trafficlink - reporting regional and national traffic bulletins

Interests & Hobbies

I’m a singer and have performed, until recently in a signed band called The Albinos. I now perform in a new band called Mill Town Glamour.

I’m a serial collector – I keep everything - newspapers, video-clips, books and football programmes. I never throw anything away as I always think I'll use it for a story one day. I’m also a Burnley FC fan, which is less an interest – more a curse!