Elected as Secretary General in 2024, following a nine-year stint as the organisation's Treasurer.In my new role, I'm responsible for handling IFAJ's professional development activities, such as the long-standing Alltech Young Leaders programme, the valuable MasterClass initiative, and the annual Star Prize contest that recognises talent and rewards excellence in global agricultural journalism.The latest PD addition is the Syngenta Global Network Partnership, which will bring a new-found mobility to IFAJ's PD activities, building skills and capacity across an ever wider tranche of the IFAJ membership and extending IFAJ's outreach as a truly global organisation.

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) supports the flow of quality information to farmers around the globe, recognising the role of good communication in helping to secure a sustainable and food-secure future - improving efficiency and productivity, while alleviating poverty and reducing hunger. It has 60 member countries as of August 2024.In addition to its focus on agricultural communication, IFAJ is committed to defending freedom of the press as defined by Article 19 of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Elected as Treasurer in 2015, I have been a member of the IFAJ's four-strong Presidium, supporting the Executive Committee in leading and developing the organisation over the last nine years.I managed the organisation's annual budget and finances, sponsor and donor relations, and its spend on core programme activities, such as the Young Leaders programme, the highly successful Master Class initiative (providing professional development to journalists from developing countries), the Caterpillar Scholarships and, most recently, developing the new Global Network Partnership with support from Syngenta.I also led development and registration of the Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism, a UK-based charity that will take IFAJ's core work further and deeper, notably in education, training and network building.

Founded in 2023, the Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism (GFAJ) is a UK-registered charity (1205235) dedicated to building capacity throughout the global agricultural journalism and communications industry to help grow and improve the dissemination of information to farmers, traders, policy makers and other stakeholders worldwide. Inspired by the work of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) over the past six decades, the Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism creates new opportunities for agricultural journalists and communicators to collaborate with colleagues, companies, NGOs and government entities to help strengthen the skills and networks that keep crucial information flowing to and from the agriculture sector.I and the other three members of the IFAJ Presidium are GFAJ's first trustees. Later this year, elections will be held to appoint the full GFAJ board of 11.

Marketing strategy, communications, PR, knowledge mobilisation and specialist copywriting for agriculture and agtech, supporting a global client base.A specialist agency, Agro Mavens has a firm grasp of the agricultural sector – technical, geographic and cultural. With an intrinsic understanding of agricultural markets - characteristics, dynamics and behaviours - we know exactly how to reach them.Mavens seek knowledge. We dig deep to understand your product or service, identifying its fit and position in the market. Our marcomms strategies engage with audiences including end-users, influencers, investors and stakeholders.With more than 25 years' experience, two areas characterise Agro Mavens' strengths:- marketing strategies to support and drive innovation in agricultural supply: plant protection, fertilisers, biostimulants, biotech, seeds, machinery, animal health, livestock;- agritech growth and development.Agro Mavens offers agtech start-ups and entrepreneurs a dedicated service to help refine their product offering and develop a clear value proposition. Our work with crop protection and animal health companies includes NPD communication management, brand development, product stewardship strategies, knowledge transfer, product launches and reformulations, legacy product repositioning, M&A communications, media relations & PR, technical writing and content strategy.Those choosing to work with Agro Mavens include Azotic Technologies, Barenbrug, BASF, Bayer CropScience, BKT Tires, Bureau Veritas, Burleigh Dodds, CNH, Caterpillar, Corteva, Cyanamid, Danisco, DJI, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont, Enko, Farmtrac, FertiGlobal, ICL, IDEXX, Legume Technology, Levity Crop Science, Lonza, Merial, Monsanto, OMEX USA, Perkins Engines, Plant Impact and WWF. Agritech clients include Agrimetrics, BigSis, CHAP, Connecterra, DJI Agriculture, Dynium Robot, Faire, Fyteko, Kraal, SatAgro, Sencrop, Soil Steam International, String Bio, Vertical Farming Podcast, Xihelm and ZELP.

Responsible for overseeing interaction and engagement between ENAJ and other representative international organisations.

One of eight founding members of ENAJ in December 2011, I was elected to the first management committee in 2012, before re-election in 2015 and 2018.ENAJ comprises the national organisations of journalists and communicators of 22 EU and EFTA member states. As well as bringing together existing professional associations, we work to help build and establish new national organisations. ENAJ provides its members with networking opportunities, numerous study and press trips across the continent, valuable contacts, and professional development events. We also provide regular access to the politicians and institutions directing and overseeing the Common Agricultural Policy within the EU, both at EU and national levels.As communications officer between 2011 and 2018, I was responsible for member communications.

Whisper.pr launched in May 2007 as a full-service, technically capable agency specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. I developed the agency to handle all aspects of marketing communications, with a particular focus on strategy and strong, ongoing campaign management. Having started with a UK-based client portfolio, Whisper was soon in a position to deliver campaigns, consultancy and advice for clients with interests in territories on six continents.At Whisper, I developed pioneering new ideas for our clients' campaigns and strategies, using metrics and analysis to guide and hone programmes' success.Clients included some of the world's major life sciences corporations, such as Bayer CropScience. My specialities were crop protection, agritech, agriscience, plant and animal nutrition, pharmaceuticals and animal health.

Part of an 11-strong committee managing BGAJ affairs, guiding the organisation and delivering on behalf of its members

BGAJ is a membership organisation providing professional development activities to those who communicate and report on food and agricultural issues. Founded in 1944, the Guild represents nearly 500 editors and journalists, broadcasters, photographers and PR/marketing specialists working in agriculture, commercial horticulture and other rural industries. Members work freelance and full time on specialist trade publications, consumer magazines and regional newspapers, and for agencies, commercial businesses and other organisations in the rural sector.As Chairman, I undertook a review of the organisation, overhauling its constitution and governance, established it with a recognised legal entity and secured funding and member support to host the IFAJ World Congress in 2014. I subsequently chaired the congress, working with a small team of volunteers to curate content, logistics and organisation, and a comprehensive international communications programme. More than 200 journalists from 37 countries were in attendance, with subsequent coverage reaching a total audience of at least 20 million.

Board director with responsibility for leading the PR team and managing the strategic development of PR services within this high-profile specialist agency, working with clients such as Bayer CropScience, Cogent Breeding, Merial Animal Health and Forum Bioscience.

Rapid promotion to Director of Client Services.

Senior account manager of a small, focused PR team working with national and international clients in food and agriculture, including US Dairy Export Council, Dow AgroSciences, Dalgety Agriculture and Danisco Animal Nutrition.

Leading a PR team in this specialist B2B communications agency, and expanding business into new sectors. My clients included Furmanite, FD Alliance, Vector International, Luxan, Lonza and DeSangosse.

Account executive, promotion to account manager. Good grounding of marketing communication basics, including above- and below-the-line activities. Mmd provided me with a firm foundation for future positions. Clients included BASF, Cyanamid Agriculture, Elanco Animal Health and DeSangosse Ltd.