In fact, I'd never really heard of public relations.

Like so many people I know, my first foray into anything communication-related was by accident rather than design.

More than 15 years later, I'm still here, although I've taken a few different paths along the way.

I didn’t always know I wanted to work in PR

AGENCY. ENTREPRENEUR. ADVISOR. EDUCATOR.

I started agency-side, working my way from Account Executive to Head of Department before launching my own networked agency, Filament PR, in 2016.

Helping other practitioners develop has been a consistent thread throughout my career, from mentoring junior colleagues and developing my own teams to teaching PR and strategic communication from Level 3 through to postgraduate and professional qualifications.

Today, I'm Senior Lecturer in Public Relations at Newcastle University and lead the MA Media and PR programme. I also continue to work independently as a strategic advisor to international organisations.

15 YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP AND VOLUNTEERING

I joined the CIPR as a Student Member in 2011 and first got involved as a student representative during my Master's degree.

Since then, I've volunteered across regional and specialist groups, mentoring, professional development and governance. I've chaired CIPR North East, served as an elected Board Director, led work reviewing the CIPR's professional qualifications syllabus, and currently co-chair the Governance Committee Standing Group.

In 2025, I received a CIPR Volunteer Recognition Award and the Sir Stephen Tallents Medal, the Institute's highest individual honour.

I get to work with people right across our profession: from those taking their first steps into PR to experienced practitioners, communication leaders and organisations developing their people.

What this means…

At a glance…

I've been a student member, volunteer, Regional Chair and Board Director.

I've studied on a CIPR-recognised degree and now lead one.

I've taught CIPR qualifications and helped shape them.

I've been through Chartership and helped others through it.

I've won regional and national awards and now judge them.