Tom Willcox Email & Phone Number

A highly skilled business communications specialist with over 30 years of experience in PR, media relations, copywriting, marketing content and customer service, serving a mix of private clients and marketing/PR/design agencies across Northern England.Range of services:Website content generation/editing & checking.Copywriting/editing for all types of marketing materials.Production of press releases/promotional picture stories. Distribution/'selling in' of news items to multiple media outlets.Video narration scripting & editing. Organising photoshoots & broadcast interviews. Drafting speeches & presentations. Handling media enquiries & response scripts. Planning/implementing communications strategies. Training in PR techniques, media skills & photography.Public & stakeholder engagement campaigns.Social media management.Internal communications.Reputation management.Political/economic report writing.Proof reading.Testimonials:"A forthright, energetic character with sound commercial sense and the ability to adapt his writing skills to the needs and style of our organisation.""Quickly establishes effective relationships with key media, successfully securing positive coverage through a variety of PR techniques and channels.""Organised, reliable and tenacious, his business involvement, contribution to PR strategy and tactical input is most valuable.""A dedicated, well motivated professional who clearly sets high standards and goals.""Tom produces well written, accurate copy in his press releases, briefings and case study success stories for use in news bulletins, publications and website news pages. He works well with external contractors such as photographers, designers and printers to ensure materials are delivered on time, to specification and budget."

North East/North West England

Tom Willcox started his career at Northern Rock in 1994, rising to the post of a customer services manager with responsibility for a department of 40 staff. He subsequently became the company’s press officer following its conversion to plc status in 1997, acting as spokesperson and the first port of call for financial journalists. He joined the regional development agency One North East as senior press officer in 2000 and, after a sabbatical to travel, then worked in PR consultancy, managing a range of clients including the North East Chamber of Commerce, px Ltd, Gateshead Health NHS Trust, the Learning & Skills Council, South West Durham Training and Business Link.Tom returned to an economic development PR role in 2005, again working with the regional development agency. He took on responsibility for promoting the European Regional Development Fund 2007-13, working with project beneficiaries to help them meet European Commission publicity requirements and exploiting PR opportunities with both the media and ERDF stakeholders.In promoting the European fund in 2009, Tom contributed strongly to the agency's ‘Real Help for Businesses Now’ campaign, generating over 450 separate features and articles in all forms of media.In 2010, he set up as a freelance communications consultant, serving a mix of agencies and private clients whose businesses span both the North East and the North West of the country. Key projects in which he has been involved have included public engagement programmes in the energy and regeneration sectors and a communications campaign covering a range of health issues for the NHS.As well as a (BA Hons) degree, Tom has qualifications in Financial Law and Practice and Marketing of Financial Services. He is also a CIPR award winner.

Contributed over 450 separate pieces of media coverage for ‘Real help for business’ campaign 2009-10.Developed EU communications plan for ERDF programme.Promoted ERDF projects in local and EU media.Advised fund beneficiaries on EU publicity requirements, media relations and copywriting.Maintained ERDF website content.Provided policy communications for agency teams and ERDF regional partnerships.Produced content for speeches, presentations, MP correspondence and reports for chief executive’s office.

Devising and implementing PR strategies for key accounts, including North East Chamber of Commerce, Learning and Skills Council, Gateshead Health NHS Trust, px group Ltd, Tynedale Housing, SW Durham Training Ltd (IPR award 2002), Frank Haslam Milan and Cheviot Housing.

Press officer (Jan 1998)Company spokesperson.Promotion and launch of mortgage, insurance & savings products.Results announcements to London Stock Exchange.Establishment of media impact profitability analysis.Management of media enquiries/press releases/broadcast interviews.Investment administration manager (Mar 1997)Accountable for 40 staff / implementation of quality service standards. Interviewing/appraisal/recruitment/training. Company duty officer.Senior customer liaison officer (Oct 1996)Conversion to plc: primary link with legal advisors Freshfields & JP Morgan to provide clear customer communications within a strict regulatory framework.Investment enquiries supervisor (Sep 1994)Inbound customer enquiries, service & correspondence (20 staff).Establishment of cross-departmental training & skills matrix.

Ba Hons, History & Classics, 2:1

Additional education & training: Royal Society of Arts - ‘Meet the press’ training, Council of Mortgage Lenders - Media training, ACIB.

4 High Grade 'A' Levels / 9 'Ao'/'O' Levels/Gcses

Academic scholarship award. 'A' levels Grade A: Ancient History, Theology / Grade B: Greek, Latin ‘AO’/'O' levels/GCSEs Grade A: English.