Category 1 FIFA Referee – Scottish Football AssociationOne of Scotland's 7 FIFA International refereesCurrently officiating at the highest level of refereeing in Scotland and EuropeOfficiated at the European Championship Finals 2016A graduate of UEFA’s Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE)Promoting the SFA through national media – assisting recruitment processCoaching/mentoring youth referees – identifying and developing potential

Providing specialist communications knowledge and supportEnsuring communication is effective, accessible, accurate and timelyBuilding awareness and influence amongst key stakeholdersDeveloping and enhancing relationships with broadcast media and national pressPromoting and protecting the reputation of the organisationMonitoring and reporting on media coverage and media interactions

TasksAssisting the media and marketing team to deliver the external and internal communications planLiaising with national media on a daily basis to enhance the reputation of the institutionIssuing press releases and updating website content to promote positive research storiesAchievementsSecured exclusives across the range of broadsheet and tabloid newspapersGained coverage for research stories on BBC and STV news as well as specialist programmesSecured national coverage for research in press and online media.

TasksManaging and delivering external and internal communications plan for stakeholders throughout the North Lanarkshire area – covering 327,000 peopleDeveloping and maintaining relationships with local and national press/media contacts; facilitating weekly contact with local community safety teamsProducing and disseminating media releases on the performance of the Division, protecting the reputation of the ForceManaging the day-to-day media activity relating to all enquiries, including liaising with local government and other key stakeholders in the local communityProducing weekly electronic bulletin for police officers and force support staff, facilitating two-way dialogue and fostering positive relationships with senior managersAchievementsSecured weekly updates in all local newspapers, establishing a ‘crime beat’ in six local publications with consistent delivery of key messages and positive profile for all community safety teamsNational coverage of major operations through the Force-wide Campaign Against Violence, managing relationships with national newspaper journalists and accompanying them on police operationsProduced and implemented a communications strategy for the Community Policing Model – the most significant change to frontline policing in decadesOrganised and facilitated community events, engaging with members of the public, local businesses and elected members of local government – ensuring delivery of key communication messagesDevelopment and management of a strategy for working with the local authority, briefing councillors and MSPs on communications strategy and outcomes of major operationsInitiated weekly electronic bulletin – the cornerstone of communication for all officers and staff

Developed stakeholder communications strategy for Community Services Directorate – ensuring effective engagement with North Lanarkshire communityCo-ordinated and delivered community relations activities throughout sporting and leisure venues, communicating with members of the public and local business contactsDelivered communications strategy for the re-branding and restructuring of council services, organising workshops and forums for staff and stakeholdersProduced communications report for month council meeting, engaging with elected officials and senior managers to ensure consistent delivery of strategic objectivesManaged relationships with key individuals in the local community and local newspaper journalists, protected the reputation of the Council

Researched and produced stories for local weekly newspaper, engaging with the local community and community groupsManaged relationships with members of the public, local business, councillors, senior police and fire service officialsOperated in a busy newsroom environment with conflicting demands, producing accurate copy to tight deadlines