Mel Crosby Email & Phone Number

Westminster

Team Management: Supervision of 6 staff across both the Westminster & constituency office with oversight of all projects & the facilitating of effective communications across the team to maintain consistent messaging which reflects the Member’s position in all areas.Policy & Research: Supporting Mr Thomas in his role as a Labour & Co-op Member of Parliament & member of the International Trade select committee has led to increased focus on Utilities, Housing, Finance & International Trade Policy. I source, analyse, evaluate & interpret qualitative & quantitative data to ensure Member is accurately informed on key issues. Where & when appropriate I will advise on policy issues related to my research. All briefs are delivered with distilled information from multiple stakeholders & perspectives. Media: I routinely produce & pitch articles, blog pieces & press releases relating to Mr. Thomas’ work & campaigns, tailored to suit specific national, local & trade publications & their audiences. I receive media bids & ensure that Mr. Thomas is fully briefed ahead of media appearances. I monitor relevant media coverage & brief accordingly. I promote Mr. Thomas’ work through his social media channels via a variety of bespoke produced media. Speechwriting: I have aided Mr. Thomas with multiple speeches of 2000 & 3500 words, from initial draft to final copy. Stakeholder management: Through supporting Mr. Thomas in his work I liaise with a variety of groups & personnel across Westminster, Whitehall & beyond. Parliamentary Procedure: This role requires a deep understanding of Parliamentary procedure & is reliant on my scanning of the horizon of Parliamentary business to facilitate useful opportunities for Mr. Thomas work in Parliament. HR & Admin: (included but not limited to below): Dealing with complex queries on the Member’s behalf; Responsibility for all aspects of the IPSA budget & expenses; efficient administrative support; keeping accurate personnel records.

Westminster, London

Within a fortnight of accepting this role with the office of Dr Huq the snap General Election was announced. Dr Huq’s seat of Central Ealing and Acton was 2nd on the Conservative target list due to its wafer-thin majority of 274. In the weeks that followed I built on and enhanced relationships with local and national press. I controlled and managed media access and horizon scanned to mitigate and fight unwanted narratives. I created unwanted narratives for the opposition candidate. I created press releases, video content and implemented strategies for messaging using digital and analogue platforms to reach selected targets. I worked closely with all stakeholders to mediate and work to resolve internal disputes. Crisis management is an ongoing feature of all political campaigns and all potential crises of this campaign were successfully managed. Dr Rupa Huq increased her majority from 274 to 13,807.Since the election, in addition to the media related elements of my work outlined above, I also have the responsibility of responding to all policy enquiries, producing briefs and identifying areas of engagement for my member, on both a constituency and national level, and assisting my member with various functions of parliamentary procedure. These duties rely on my ability to interpret political issues, research, source and examine complex information thoroughly and utilise my analytical skills to identify the subtle differences between views and find common ground. Other duties include, but are not limited to, liaison with relevant stakeholders from the Public, Private and Third Sector bodies, organising, promoting and executing events on the Parliamentary estate, assisting with complex casework and the management of my Member’s busy parliamentary diary.

Westminster, London

From a field of over 500 applicants I was selected to be part of the prestigious Speakers Parliamentary Placement Scheme and assigned to the office of Nic Dakin MP. As part of the team at Nic’s Westminster office my role included building relationships with key stakeholders. These included stakeholders from both private sector and non-governmental bodies and liaison with a variety of MPs, Government Ministers and their representatives.I delivered a variety of projects in both Westminster and the constituency. A key project which I have enhanced trade links between constituency businesses and emerging economies. In addition to these projects my role included research and analysis of a variety of topics to provide either an in-depth report or a concise brief for my Member.Another large part of this role involved managing the high-pressure diary of my Member. Other duties include but were not limited to producing press releases, minute taking, constituency casework and video production. I gained further Parliamentary experience in the Chambers and Committee Team which increased my knowledge of finance processes. I also gained experience with the Operations and Engagement Team of the House of Common’s Library which further developed my understanding of the House Services’ internal and external communications methods and strategies. Through the Speaker’s Parliamentary Placement Scheme I embraced the opportunity to visit, engage with and learn from a variety of high profile, private sector business such as Portland Communications, Global Radio, GWR, AXA, & The Royal Mail among others.

Haywards Heath

As a Gateway Assessor I interviewed new clients before signposting them to appropriate information, internal specialist advice or external agencies to aid resolution of their issues. This role provided me with the opportunity to work on a variety of often complex casework and observe how political policy choices can directly affect the individual.

Gibraltar

This role for the online gaming giant Betfred saw me as an integral link between the trading and design teams in helping to creatively shape and promote attractive offers to maintain and enlarge the company’s market share in this competitive and evolving industry.

Uk And Marbella

Working with a selection of large independent and chain nightclub venues in the UK and Southern Spain my role was to create, promote and manage of a variety of new and ongoing events. From artist and venue booking through to managing budgets, staffing and promotional strategies this role allowed me to develop industry wide contacts and intelligence. The networks I built through this period ensured successful and profitable events in this highly competitive industry.

Uk And Andalucia

An early, but short-lived career, as a television presenter led to further opportunities in television production. The experience gained in this sector combined with media contacts made through events management in the nightlife industry led to a variety of presenting and producing roles at radio stations in Southern Spain.