Full CV and reference available on request.
Head of Communications and Marketing at LGBT Foundation
Manchester ▪ 2021 to present.
Leadership: Manage and oversee the charity’s strategic vision, reputation, crisis communications, and collaboration efforts within the LGBTQ+ community as part of the leadership team.
Strategy and impact: Lead and develop LGBT Foundation’s communications with a focus on community involvement and creative campaigns. Maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including media outlets, influencers, and community leaders, toincrease awareness and support.
By example: Promote and encourage professional development to direct reports, fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, inclusivity and continuous learning.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
Built the communications team up from scratch, and outlined the direction for growth and development.
Joined LGBT Foundation’s Leadership Team, owning the strategic vision and direction of the charity.
Led an organisational rebrand, which includes a new mission, vision and values.
Led a website development project, resulting in a new website for LGBT Foundation.
Managed and enhanced the reputation of LGBT Foundation by engaging in significant press, media, and influencer activities.
Delivering national campaigns to promote the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people.
Designing the communications team’s co-production strategy.
Leading our marketing efforts for Manchester Pride.
Working alongside our income generation team to develop new cooperate partnerships.
Developed an effective crisis communication strategy with the CEO and trustees to address sensitive media and social media stories that could harm the LGBTQ+ community and service users.
Co-produced the five-year strategy and the business plan, showing where marketing and communications can add value.
Communications and Development Manager at XTRAX
Manchester ▪ 2020 to 2021
Communications Strategy: Responsible for devising and overseeing the delivery of the communications and marketing
strategy across Without Walls and all XTRAX projects.
Department lead: Line manager of all the communications staff. Responsible for reporting on both failures and successes at asenior management and board level. Responsible for servicing the Marketing and Development sub-group of the Without Walls
board.
Fundraising and cultivation: Responsible for implementing coherent and well-devised cultivation and fundraising strategies, managing stakeholder communications, and developing cases for sponsorship and funding from trusts and foundations.
Major achievements:
Oversaw the development of communications strategy for all XTRAX and Without Walls projects, including our touring portfolio, strategic development projects, showcasing, and more.
Managed all communications staff and restructured the team post-COVID.
Maintained overall editorial control over key storytelling and advocacy projects, such as blog series, fundraising
pitches, showreels, and vox pops.
Controlled editorial tasks related to day-to-day communications activity, such as the website, social media, and
newsletters.
Oversaw the development of the Marketing and Development Sub-group, working directly with senior management and board members on the strategic communications direction of Without Walls.
Project managed strategically significant advocacy projects, such as annual reports and advocacy documents.
Led nationally significant marketing campaigns with 36 partners across the UK and internationally.
Worked with PR staff to produce case studies and pitches for UK and international journalists.
Implemented and curated Without Walls TALKS, a new blog series.
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER at XTRAX
Manchester ▪ 2016 to 2020
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
Working on the marketing and communications campaigns of over ten UK and international outdoor arts showcase events
Events-managing aspects of the XTRAX showcases in London, Great Yarmouth and Kendal
Delivering marketing campaigns for international projects with partners in France, Germany, Belgium and South Korea
Working with the XTRAX team to develop Without Walls’ NPO application, and, following being awarded Band 3 status, the NPO business plan
Developing a content and social media plans for both XTRAX and Without Walls and overseeing the creation of print, film and advocacy material
Working with Carousel PR and identifying press angles and stories for Without Walls, Wired Aerial Theatre and XTRAX
Implementing the marketing and communications campaigns for Without Walls’ annual programme of new commissions
Editing a conference paper for Circostrada, Europe’s development agency for Street Arts and Circus.
Co-authoring the Without Walls Impact Study (2012-2016) with BOP Consulting
Working with Wired Aerial Theatre to promote As The World Tipped in the UK and Internationally
Project managing the development of XTRAX’s website and online services
Communications and Events co-ordinator at XTRAX
Manchester ▪ 2014 to 2016
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
Event managing aspects of sector showcases in London, Kendal and Great Yarmouth
Support the development and touring of Without Walls projects
Freelance Communications Associate at BILL ELMS ASSOCIATES
Liverpool ▪ 2012 to 2014
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
Delivering PR and Marketing services for high-profile clients across Liverpool and Merseyside, including but not limited to St. Helens Theatre Royal, The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool Empire Theatre and arts and culture events and festivals such as Brazilica, DaDaFest, Homotopia, The Vogue Ball and Liverpool Pride
Freelance communications at MATT BELFIELD PR
Various Locations ▪ 2013 – Present
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
Press and PR support (Pro-bono) for a charity fundraising skydive for the Donna Louise Trust.
MJB Communications 