A bit about me …

The beginning

After graduating from Aberystwyth University, I got my first job working in retail management for Dillon’s Bookstore. But it didn’t take me long to realise it was the promotional events, media relations and community engagement parts of my job that I enjoyed best – along with reading the merchandise, of course! So, when an opportunity to work as a junior account executive at a local public relations agency was offered, I grabbed it with both hands and so began my career in Pharmaceutical PR.

Building skills in the charity sector and gaining board-level experience

After 12 years of specialising in pharmaceutical PR, I decided I wanted a change. Giving back has always been important to me, so I decided to look for my next role in the charity/ education sector. The following two roles gave me the chance to broaden my skills further, especially with fundraising, bid-writing, volunteer management, sales and marketing, and Government lobbying.

I expanded my experience at board level by becoming a trustee for two local charities, firstly a children’s centre and then, more recently, a local food bank. I relished the responsibility for governance, strategic growth planning, and risk management, and valued the opportunity to do something positive for our community. I enjoyed working as part of a group of diverse professionals towards a common goal. I was lucky to witness first-hand what could be achieved when there’s a clear sense of purpose and vision.

Becoming a consultant

In 2017, I decided to become an independent consultant so I could share my skills and experience with the exciting businesses forming the new movement of solopreneurs and innovative micro-companies.

I was also frustrated by the way PR is so often misunderstood. I believe PR is the most important part of the marketing mix because it’s all about the relationship a business has with its ‘publics’. Successful PR build’s a company and individual’s reputation by providing education and information, and also by influencing opinions, attitudes, and perceptions.

But ultimately, PR matters because people buy from people – and, most especially, from people they know, like, and trust. PR is everything you say and everything you do. Your reputation exists in the minds of others. But there is a lot you can do to influence and shape what others think about you.

This is what makes PR so crucial for business owners to understand, and why I’m on a mission to help businesses learn the skill of effectively communicating ‘human to human’, and conveying their value, purpose and the difference they make. In focusing here, I can bring together my PR experience with my desire to be a force for positive change in the world.

The personal bit

When not working I can be found climbing walls and leaping off ziplines with my children and generally trying to pretend I’m considerably younger than I am. Though, as a result of doing martial arts with my daughter to support her Duke of Edinburgh Award (Physical), I am now a Gold belt (Senior) in Choi Kwang Do.

I also love taking long walks with my gorgeous working cocker spaniel Tinxy, husband and friends, before relaxing with a good meal and a great bottle of wine.