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With almost 25 years' experience as reporter and editor on local newspapers, I am a keen champion of grassroots journalism. Over the years I have seen seismic changes in the way news is reported and now I want to help inspire the next generation of newsgatherers.
I started as a trainee reporter on The Westmorland Gazette in the Lake District. Most recently I was Group Production Editor of 12 Newsquest papers across Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, including the multi award-winning Warrington Guardian.
In the intervening two decades I worked for many local newspapers and also gained experience sub-editing on national papers such as The Daily Mail and Metro.
I first worked at MMU as an associate lecturer in autumn 2015, before joining the teaching staff full time in spring 2016.
Alongside my teaching work, I continue to write a weekly column for the Warrington Guardian, Northwich Guardian, Knutsford Guardian and Wilmslow Guardian.
These days newspaper journalists truly are multimedia specialists, writing for print, online and social media while also producing podcasts and video reports. I hope to share my personal experience of this exciting new landscape with MMU's Multimedia Journalism students.
Away from work I enjoy walking and spending time with my family. I am an avid reader and enjoy creative writing.
Staff experience:
1992-1999: The Westmorland Gazette - reporter, sub-editor, arts editor, TV critic
1999-2000: Garstang Courier, Longridge News - Deputy Editor
2000-2005: Warrington Guardian - Assistant Editor, columnist
2005-2006: Runcorn World, Widnes World - Editor
2006-2008: Warrington Guardian - Deputy Editor, columnist
2008-2015: 12 Newsquest titles (including Warrington Guardian, Wirral Globe, St Helens Star, Messenger Group) - Group Production Editor, columnist
Freelance experience:
1999: Metro - reporter, sub-editor
2002: Daily Mail - sub-editor
2007: Newsquest awards - Best Page Designer of the Year; Best Front Page Design of the Year