This website is my blog. What’s it for? Really just a place to collect bits of my written output for those who are interested. I’ve posted some of my paid-for work, but also a lot of more personal pieces based on my interests in canoeing/kayaking, ocean rowing (see below) and even personal finance. I like to think this doesn’t make me as dull as it may sound.

So, who am I? I’m a corporate communications director, and previously worked as a writer, editor and journalist for more than 20 years.

My journalistic career was pretty conventional for the first half a decade or so after I left university.

I started off writing for print publications, covering the worlds of business, finance and economics. I worked for Business Intelligence, Accountancy Age and covered the City (London’s financial district) for a number of publications, including Financial Director, Computing, The Engineer and Management Consultancy.

I became city editor of one of Britain’s leading daily regional newspapers. And then, after mulling several offers to move to national newspapers or “Fleet Street” as the industry was even then still colloquially known, I decided to join the the team at an internet start-up. It was 1999, after all, and the dot.com boom was well under way.

dot.bust

Needless to say, our financial news and analysis website didn’t last long, particularly not after our bosses spent most of the budget on an advertising campaign. But it was a brilliant rollercoaster ride, enjoyable despite the very long hours and extremely hard work. I would not have missed it for anything.

This early digital experience taught me many lessons, which I took with me to the BBC, Associated New Media, Reuters – and later to Switzerland where I worked for the World Economic Forum and the International Olympic Committee.

I now work in the business world, leveraging the experience and skills I gained during more than 20 years in journalism to counsel senior executives on corporate communications strategy.

For fun I occasionally write about media and sport. I’m passionate about elite sport in general and canoeing in particular. I was an international canoeist once and raced for Great Britain for several years. I belong to Royal Canoe Club, and ran its website for many years – you can still find it here. I also volunteered as the head of communications for the Devizes to Westminster or ‘DW’ canoe race, which lays claim to being the world’s toughest non-stop event of its kind.

canoeing…and rowing too

In 2019 I rowed the Atlantic Ocean. I know, crazy – right? I was part of a trio and we entered the 3,000 mile/5,000km Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge as Team Margot, named after Margot Martini, a super little girl who had a rare blood cancer and sadly passed away in 2015. Margot and many like her need stem cells from matching donors if they are to beat cancer. The purpose of our epic row was to increase awareness of the Global Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Register. It’s global, so wherever you live, you can sign up. Please, please do consider registering – you could save a life!

I do occasionally pop up on Twitter to express some (strictly) personal views – but I try not to take things too seriously (motto: always try to be kind!). Plus I can be found on LinkedIn , at About.Me, and via email.