I was responsible for creating the full marcomms strategy for AFH’s new Financial Education programme, also mapping journeys and content for clients, their families, prospective clients, independent financial advisers and internal colleagues. I was headhunted for this senior role but, after the unexpected closure of the business’s central Birmingham office at the end of August, I decided to pursue new professional opportunities.

I led the Investment Communications team, working alongside Wesleyan's Fund Managers, Analysts, Chartered Surveyors and Socially Responsible Investment professionals. I was responsible for the content strategy and all communication activities, also working with the wider business as an SME for all PR and marcomms projects. My key responsibilities included:• Writing and distributing regular market commentaries and thought-leadership pieces for the Director of Investments, Head of Investments and Fund Managers, covering updates across asset classes (primarily equities, bonds, property, cash), global markets and sustainable investing, for various internal and external audiences.• Quote compilation for the Director of Investments and press release writing/editing.• Researching, drafting and submitting all award submissions. Wins included: “Diversity Award” (Wealth and Asset Management Awards, 2023), “Responsible Investor of the Year” (Insurance Asset Risk Awards, 2022), “Investment Team of the Year” (Insurance Asset Risk Awards, 2020 and 2023), and “Active Manager of the Year” (The Asset Management Awards, 2020).• Writing blogs and content for internal communication channels (SharePoint site, all-colleague emails, intranet, Yammer).• Responding to fund and portfolio queries from Wesleyan Financial Services’ Financial Advisers, Sales Managers, Independent Financial Advisers and colleagues.• Managing all Investments team and fund-related content for various report and accounts and regulatory documents. • Producing regular podcasts covering fund updates and market outlooks.• Developing and maintaining strong, collaborative working relationships with stakeholders across business units.• Using evaluation tools and metrics to measure communication delivery effectiveness.• Ensuring that all content produced is compliant and within the business’s risk appetite.• Managing the Investment Communications team (strategic direction and line manager responsibilities).

I had a similar remit to my role as Investment Communications Manager, minus team management. (I was promoted in January 2020, tasked with building and managing the Investment Communications team.)Other responsibilities included:• Leading the marketing strategy for Wesleyan Unit Trust Managers (WUTM), including competitor marketing research and analysis.• Ensuring that all rich content produced was compliant and within risk appetite.• Overseeing all media training and opportunities for the team’s senior leaders.• Researching, drafting and submitting all award submissions. Wins included: ‘CIO of the Year’ for Robert Vaudry (Insurance Asset Risk Awards 2019), ‘Investment Strategy of the Year’ (Insurance Asset Management Awards 2018) and ‘Commercial Fit-Out or Refurbishment Project of the Year’ (Insider Property Awards 2018).• Writing copy for Workplace blogs and other internal communication channels (colleague magazine, all-colleague emails, intranet).• Organisation and promotion of ‘fund update’ conference calls for Wesleyan’s Financial Consultants.• Creation of presentations for client roadshows, seminars and internal updates, liaising with creative agencies when required.• Developing and maintaining strong, collaborative working relationships across key business units including HR, Group Finance, and Product, to improve all output.• Working with Fund Managers to develop charity and outreach partnerships.• Management of senior stakeholders to secure buy-in for Investments team projects, including digital transformation.• Using evaluation tools and metrics to measure communication delivery effectiveness.

My work included:• Ownership of the PR budget and 2018 planning, liaising and negotiating with external publications and influencers.• Working with Rochester PR (Police Mutual’s primary PR agency) and internal stakeholders on proactive and reactive projects, aligning with team objectives to ensure local and national coverage targets were met.• Content creation for a range of channels, from advertorials and editorials to website articles (for the “Inspire Me” hub), whole-of-base emails and social media.• Internal communication to promote Marketing projects to other business areas and colleagues across multiple sites.• Obtaining testimonials from members for all product areas, to use members’ voices to help ‘tell the brand story’.• Editing, proofreading, and approving press releases.• Collating and storing press cuttings and evaluating media coverage reports.• Maintenance of the business continuity plan (BCP), including joint responsibility for business-wide media spokespeople training and crisis communications management.• Social media channel management for Brand messaging and campaigns.• Coordinating sponsorship and broadcast opportunities, including scripting and overseeing production for a London Live television feature and creating a PR partnership with the “Fabulous Finn” brand.

Starting as an assistant in the team, I was quickly promoted in order to manage all rebranding activity for Police Mutual Group’s internal flexible benefits scheme - “Choices” - with an audience of 750+ colleagues across the UK. Work included:• Ownership of overall marketing project budget and creative agency relationships, including account manager liaison, to ensure innovative designs for all online and print collateral required – intranet and social media channels, product brochures, flyers, other promotional materials and all roadshow elements (banner stands, pull-up banners etc.).• Managing all-colleague communications to provide proactive updates about scheme activity and product information, seeking stakeholder approval at all stages, and distributing via the appropriate channels.• Playing an integral role in shaping the Choices marketing strategy and planning to ensure the project elements were delivered on time and in line with the strategy.• All other copywriting responsibilities including promotional product copy – taking into consideration all HMRC tax and NI rules – with a fresh and engaging TOV.• Raising POs, chasing suppliers and tracking/recording costs against agreed budget allocation.• Liaising with Capita – our technical scheme provider – to update Orbit portal designs and edit system-generated communications.• Delivery of BAU nudge comms calendar, linked to key events throughout the year.• Running colleague surveys to measure engagement levels and enable two-way communication, using original “Flexible Benefits” scheme launch as a benchmark.• Ensuring all comms were compliant and adhered to the highest ‘financial promotions’ standards and TCF rules.• Stakeholder management across the business - HR, project team, Distribution, Procurement - and following strict FS processes.

My main responsibilities included:• Writing copy for businesses’ websites, social media channels, promotional flyers, brochures, bulletins, e-shots, and newswires.• Proofreading copy written by colleagues.• Scriptwriting for promotional videos (including scripts for business directors and celebrity endorsers).• Writing, editing and posting blogs for legal and accountancy firms, as well as private healthcare providers, across the UK. • Researching, compiling and posting social media content – including weekly tweets and tailored Facebook posts – for clients.• Implementing paid-for social media campaigns on a range of channels including Google AdWords (PPC), Facebook and Twitter, in line with client budgets.• Writing social media reports for clients, incorporating statistical information to indicate outreach and engagement.• Creating PR plans and meeting agreed targets.• Press release writing and distribution, liaising with journalists to achieve local and national press coverage.• Publicity management for James Alexander (international wildlife and environmental photographer, winner of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s #BackClimateAction image contest).

I promoted the theatre’s relaunch and events programme during a six-month freelance contract. Work included:• Managing all publicity across print (including direct mail), radio, PR, digital and social.• Press release writing and distribution, engaging with relevant journalists and national critics, and hosting press contacts on opening nights.• A full website rewrite; promotional flyers, posters, and press packs; commissioning and writing radio adverts; advertising in arts magazines and listings websites; checking all design proofs and newspaper adverts; press pack production; organising and hosting press and opening nights.• Liaising with Creative Scotland, Scottish Parliament and designated project MSPs.

I was responsible for BAU compliance, DBS certificate processing, payroll, website updates and school relationship management. I also recruited and interviewed teachers, teaching assistants and cover supervisors.

Employed on a 6-month contract, my role was to represent St Andrews as a winner of Creative Scotland's 'Creative Place Awards 2012' by generating publicity for Fife's festivals and cultural offerings. I was responsible for generating press interest and for recording relevant press activity, liaising with VisitScotland and Creative Scotland to achieve national, and international, media coverage for events in St Andrews. I also helped co-ordinate PR events and publicity for festivals such as ‘St Andrews Voices’ and the ‘St Andrews Festival 2012’.