Aaron Sims Email & Phone Number

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Heading up PR and communications activity for an award-winning UK200 law firm.🌟 Principal contact for all external communications and providing a focal point for Thrings’ internal communications activity.📰 Responsible for the day-to-day running of the Thrings press office and handling all media relations on behalf of the firm.🗣️ Creator of engaging content for all departments of the firm to showcase lawyers' in-depth knowledge through concise and simple thought leadership.🙌 Supporting colleagues across the firm to develop their business development skills and develop their personal brand.🏆 Raising the profile of the firm through numerous successful nominations to regional awards.👨‍🎤 Organising, promoting and delivering high-profile regional events, both independently and in partnership with other organisations across a range of sectors.

Policy and media advisor to the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council. 📊 Contributing directly to the development of major policy, political decisions and corresponding narrative. This included the annual budget, planning and housing, waste and recycling, social care, and community and economic development. Developed numerous internal procedures to improve cross-department efficiency.🗣️ Taking the day-to-day lead in ensuring close and regular engagement with political parties, print and broadcast media, neighbouring authorities, MPs, and other stakeholders at all levels of seniority.🗳️ Running communications for Council's Administration and organising PR events, including in the run up to the 2019 Local Elections that resulted in the retaining of a majority and overall control of the Council that bucked national trends.📢 Drafting press releases and statements for political announcements and campaigns by councillors, as well as preparing statements and questions for Councillors during public, for local MPs in Parliament and visiting government ministers.🤝 Led discussions between political groups and drafted cross-party motion to achieve an ambitious Climate Emergency declaration, resulting in a reanalysing of Council practices across all departments.😷 Supported the Council Leader in coordination of local response to Covid-19 outbreak, including organisation of community support, implementing schemes to support public safety, communicating vital information to residents, adapting Council services at pace and taking steps forward to strengthen communities post-pandemic.

🗞️ Produced well-researched articles for web and print, ranging from local stories to major regional news. Stories included the highest viewed across all Newsquest publications and others picked up by national media.🗞️ Also served as Assistant Editor for the Gazette Series, Stroud News and Journal and Wilts and Glos Standard🗞️ Edited and arranged content on pages, making decisions on news prioritisation and following legal guidelines.🗞️ Developed a respected and trusted reputation within the community and a positive presence on social media.🗞️ Led multi-patch coverage for 2017 General Election, the EU Referendum and the first West of England Mayoral Election. Organised and chaired a debate and interviewed notable figures from across the political spectrum.🗞️ Worked with local radio station GLOSS FM as local reporter to deliver weekly news headlines and commentary.🗞️ Writer for sister publication Cotswold Living Magazine, including features on art, lifestyle, food and drink.🗞️ Worked within the community on a range of projects including working with a primary school to create a newspaper that was then printed in all copies of the Gazette.

Series of journalist work experience placements in West Country (Bristol) and Central (Birmingham) newsrooms.Worked in reporting, planning, technical, photojournalism and product journalism departments, assisting on a range of stories across news, event and sport also providing support to live broadcasts, both on location and in the studio.

Delivering sessions designed to educate student journalists in the use of software packages (including Photoshop, InDesign and Wordpress) and technical equipment, providing awareness of their benefits in journalistic practice.

Bristol, United Kingdom

Postgraduate study scholarship, placed at rowing clubs around Bristol/Bath. Coaching athletes from beginners to national champions, ensuring quality approved coaching style is delivered and participants enjoy experience. Also required to organise, advertise and deliver regional training days.Aided in the creation of a rowing programme and disability rowing sector at Bristol watersports centre.Role also required tasks outside of coaching remit including social media photographer for British Indoor Championships and composing articles for national publications.

Responsible for the delivery of data, reports and analysis to monitor and influence important decisions made across the business, all within agreed time scales. Highlighting, investigating and explaining unusual results. Also required to develop new programs and procedures alongside other departments of the business.

Cipr Professional Diploma, Public Relations/Image Management

Studied advanced practice and theory surrounding effective PR, including strategy, planning, delivery and evaluation alongside full-time.

Ma Journalism, Distinction

Activities and Societies: UWE Boat Club (Rowing Team)BJTC accredited postgraduate masters. Experience in television, online, radio.

Msc Management

Activities and Societies: Lancaster John O'Gaunt Rowing Club (Vice-Captain and Press Officer)Postgraduate of Top 5 UK Business School..

Bsc Mathematics

Activities and Societies: Lancaster John O'Gaunt Rowing Club - Press Officer Lancaster University Boat Club - Press and publicity officer

Short Course, Health Effects Of Climate Change

Distance learning short course on the impacts of climate change on public health and the potential solutions stemming from responses.

Short Course, Public Policy Economics

Distance learning short course on the aims and tools of economic policy, the role of state versus the market and the government's.