Director and co-founder of Quantum Communications, an integrated public relations and public affairs agency.Quantum is one of Scotland's fastest growing comms agency, with unrivalled experience in media, government, and the corporate environment. The team includes former national newspaper editors, senior political party advisers, and communications directors from government and opposition. We use our combined experience to assist clients in raising their profile, managing media interest and engaging with Scottish and UK politicians, journalists and decision-makers. Our clients range from community charities to national trade bodies to international renewables firms. www.quantumcommunications.co.uk

Independent adviser to parliamentarians, political campaigns and charities; speechwriter; and report author.

Columnist for national and local newspapers; editorial oversight of 1919 Magazine; current affairs commentary for the BBC, STV and other broadcasters; judge for the Scottish Press Awards.Member of advisory board to a two-year project with Save the Children Scotland and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation focused on exploring the Scottish public’s attitudes to child poverty.

Responsible for communications strategy, reporting directly to the leader. Chief-of-staff during election campaigns and strategic communications adviser to Shadow Cabinet politicians in UK and Scottish parliaments. Line-manager for press and digital officers, responsible for media relations with the UK’s most senior journalists and editors, and the party’s lead on stakeholder engagement and public affairs. Responsible for all internal communication within the party and external communication with voters – including direct-to-voter correspondence and brand creation and management. Strategic advice to the UK Leader of the Opposition Office and Parliamentary Labour Party. Editor of General Election manifesto, speech-writing including keynote conference addresses and scripts for First Minister’s Questions, forward-planning and event management, crisis communications and campaign strategies. Lead negotiator for broadcast debates, liaison with governments and parties during national emergencies, media training for politicians, and budget management. Responsibility for all press releases and digital output, including the party's website. Following resignation of leader Kezia Dugdale, subsequent roles included:May 2018 - February 2021: Senior adviser to Anas Sarwar MSP and his Scottish Labour leadership campaign. April 2018 - January 2019: Head of Communications, Catherine Stihler MEP.February 2018 - December 2018: Senior Parliamentary Adviser to Kezia Dugdale MSP.September 2017 - November 2017: Communications Director, Anas Sarwar for Scottish Labour Leader campaign.

Most senior political writer for the Daily Mail newspaper in Scotland, reporting from the Scottish Parliament and the House of Commons. Responsibility for setting news agenda across the UK, with around 50 front page articles published every year. Member of the Scottish Parliamentary Journalists' Association and the UK Parliament Lobby. Reporting on: General Elections; Scottish Parliamentary elections; Scottish independence referendum; EU referendum; education; health; the economy; food and drink; housing; crime; transport; environment.Interviews with senior politicians, including Prime Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries; engagement with politicians from all parties, senior business leaders and decision-makers; editorial leader writing, commentary, public speaking events including CIPR, and political commentary for the BBC. Scottish Press Awards: winner - political journalist of the year 2012; winner - scoop of the year 2017; winner - campaign of the year 2016; short-listed - political journalist of the year 2011 and 2013.

Elected by peers to defend the working rights of journalists in the Scottish Parliament; liaising with parliamentary authorities; arranging high-profile events; and managing all finances and administration.

Several senior roles including city council reporter, transport and environment reporter and health reporter. Reporting on local, national and international news. Opinion columns, radio commentary, travel features, restaurant reviews and feature articles. Scottish Press Awards: short-listed - scoop of the year 2007; short-listed - journalist team of the year 2006; short-listed - campaign of the year 2009.

Community reporter, contributor to news reports, opinion articles and features