Andrew Sleight Email & Phone Number

Edinburgh, Scotland, Gb

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

A seasoned Communications operator with over 26 years of experience in developing and executing successful campaigns to an extremely high standard. An accomplished all-rounder, skilled in media relations, crisis communication, and strategic planning. Proven track record of effectively managing and executing communications campaigns that drive positive results and build brand awareness. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and an ability to develop clear and compelling communications that resonate with target audiences. Thorough understanding of internal communications, employee engagement, and in-house press office management. Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders and partners.During this period, I spent five months working as a Director for an independent strategic communications and public affairs agency before moving onto tackling new contracts within the private and public sector.Since October 2023, I've worked for the Scottish Government's Communications department on a contract basis, working closely with Cabinet Secretaries, Special Advisors, policy officials and key stakeholders to ensure the delivery of timely, strategic and impactful communications that align with the organisation's objectives.

Livingston, Scotland, United Kingdom

Providing player identification and opposition analysis for Livingston's under-18s squad. Reporting directly to the Head of Professional Programmes - recommending suitable players to strengthen the squad during the 2024/25 Club Academy Scotland campaign and beyond.

Provided player identification, insight and analysis on young Scotland-based footballers for the club as part of the Late Developers Project - monitored, evaluated and recommended suitable players to undergo further trials at the Academy base in Heston.

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Provided communications and marketing support for organisations across different sectors and industries, which include tech companies, health care providers and sports clubs.From January 2021 to April 2022, I worked in the MarComms department for national skills agency, Skills Development Scotland on a contract basis and then completed a short contract working as an Internal Communications Partner at Insights, who are a global leader in providing solutions in learning and development. Also provided support for External Communications at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for a couple of months on a short-term contract basis.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

• Overall responsibility for Corporate Communications (external, internal, digital and media relations) and Customer Service for the largest independent co-operative society in Scotland with over 4,000 staff. • Developed and executed comprehensive communications strategies for Scotmid Food, Semichem, Scotmid Funerals and the overall Society• Managed media relations efforts, resulting in increased coverage and positive brand perception• Co-ordinated crisis communications, ensuring timely and appropriate responses to press enquiries• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement integrated campaigns such as the launch of membership initiative Community Connect• Provided communications counsel to SMT (Senior Management Team) and the board• Amplified positivity coming out of the Society – community engagement, charity funding and other milestone events (for example, achieving Fair Tax Mark for three years in a row)• Managed Customer Service department and ensured engagement with customers was positive, progressive and timely• Achieved growth in media coverage of the business by 45% over three years• Achieved growth in social media engagement (Facebook and Twitter) by over 50% over three year period• Highlighted Scotmid’s commitment to its Charity of the Year partners – raised £1m over past three years and generated media coverage• Produced all Society communications – web stories, social media and the biannual member magazine, Jigsaw.

Midlothian

Provided communications consultancy support for organisations across different sectors and industries.Provided journalism content for the Scottish Sun and Daily Record – garnering two back page stories inside the first month of contributing copy.Worked on a contract basis with my local council (Midlothian) for five months (June-November 2016) and helped to revamp their social media strategy – leading to strong growth in their level of engagement with target audienceWhile at Midlothian Council, I led on media campaigns that delivered tangible results and are still being used three years later (Lock Down in Midlothian, etc)Helped to grow the Council’s social audience by 10% over a five-month periodDevised PR plans and activated them with positive outcomesI also provided communications advice to some hand-picked local companies and helped to set-up websites and social media pages for them.

Leith, Edinburgh

Headed up all club communications (digital, social and print) for Hibernian FC while also managing the club’s media relations.Helped to transform Hibernian’s media office into one of the most proactive and admired in Scottish football.The primary contact for the national and local media; carefully selected and briefed players before all media activityExperienced in crisis management and extremely comfortable handling high-profile sportsmen in order to fulfil media duties and commercial obligations.Managed a team of volunteers, who were assigned media roles on a match day (photographers, reporters, cameramen, broadcasters).Managed all matters relating to national and international broadcasting rights issues as well as accreditation policy and media facility management at Easter Road Stadium.As well as offering media training and advice to all internal stakeholders and staff, I planned and managed all press conferences and club statements,Named Scottish Programme Editor of the Year by the NPC in 2012.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Promoted and protected the brand of Scotland's premier professional rugby team, Edinburgh Rugby Club, via a bespoke PR plan and generating regular online content for the official website. Managing media conferences, photocalls, sponsorship launches and raising the profile of the sport and the team both domestically and internationally. During my time at Murrayfield, I was also media manager for the Scotland A team which won the 2009 IRB Nations Cup in Romania and promoted the 2009 engage Super League Magic Weekend.

London, United Kingdom

Provided copy for the national newspapers and interviewed Premiership players and managers for Sky Sports News. The role entailed writing match reports for the national press, providing content for the FA.com, writing regular features for The League Paper, The London Paper and also various domestic and overseas football magazines. Also covered England cricket (Test series against India) and England rugby union (tour of South Africa) for national press plus wrote Robbie Keane: The Biography.Wrote a feature on Sir Alf Ramsey which was published in the Tottenham Hotspur Opus.

London

Broadcasting bulletins for seven clubs (both Premier League football and Premiership rugby) on a daily basis ranging from Norwich City through to Wasps Rugby. Working in tandem with club’s press offices in order to produce positive news stories to engage with supporters and generate revenue stream for club.In December 2004, I was promoted to the post of Senior Reporter.

London

London

The role entailed engaging positively with both the national and local media in order to amplify coverage and raise the profile of a progressive, ambitious Football League club. Other tasks included designing, writing and editing a highly regarded match programme and a quarterly magazine for members and season ticket holders. Due to the level of staffing at the club, the role naturally overlapped into commercial and marketing.When I was appointed, I was youngest person to occupy that type of position in the Football League (while technically still concluding my University studies).During my second season I covered Barnet matches for the national press, Metro, various regional newspapers and ClubCall.

Journalism

Education record

Activities and Societies: Football captain, House captain (football, athletics, cross country)