In my first newspaper job, I learned to explain stuff in baby language that 'an alien from outer space' could understand. (The colleague who mentored me is now a dear friend :0)
This has helped me craft delightful, accessible and engaging content on the most complex of topics. I've written about quantum physics, artificial intelligence, materials science, carbon capture, digital currency, microchips, biodiversity, the circular economy and many other subjects, from food waste and affordable housing to infectious diseases.
My current writing gigs include writing on issues from climate change to gender diversity for the World Economic Forum and freelancing for the business desk at The Herald newspaper.
I am a former business editor of The Sunday Times and have written for daily newspapers and magazines including The Scotsman, Daily Mail and Insider magazine.
This is me! Click the arrows to see some shoot photos.
My writing and news skills led me into scripting for broadcast news, where I was a reporter, producer and editor for a UK cable TV channel in London, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
Over the last 10 years, I’ve increasingly worked in video production, project managing the delivery of video and animation projects for production companies and clients including the National Health Service and the Scottish Government.
This has included producing more than 100 films and animations for UK film and events company, Speakeasy.
My producing work includes developing and writing competitive pitches, creative treatments, scripts, storyboards, budgets and schedules; overseeing the whole pre-production to post-production journey and keeping crew, cast and contributors fully briefed.
My journalism, writing and production skills give me a great grounding in the television industry.
Especially in factual TV development (also called ‘unscripted’ TV), where ideas are developed and tested for new documentaries, factual entertainment shows and ‘specialist factual’ programmes in areas like science, history, nature and the arts.
I’m passionate about well-made, thoroughly researched and crisply written TV that teaches us new stuff about life and the universe. I also have a zillion ideas a day for potential new TV shows with all the attributes that television commissioners need – like drama, ‘cut-through,’ returnability, broad appeal and visual splendour.
To pursue this passion further, I recently completed a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Factual TV Development at the University of Stirling. I was thrilled to graduate with Distinction and, not long after, completed my first contract as a Development AP (Assistant Producer) with a production company. This involved researching, writing and designing proposals for potential new TV programmes for broadcasters in the UK, including Channel 4, the BBC and Sky.
I’m still in the early stages of this second career – and looking forward to the opportunities ahead!
I also film and edit my own content, using my growing collection of camera kit. This has included making a bunch of short films on young people doing interesting things for digital site The Social, BBC Scotland’s new talent platform.
Alongside my MSc in Factual TV Development from the University of Stirling, I have a Master of Arts degree (2:1) in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh.