CV (Curriculum Vitae) / Résumé

Most of my career has been spent at the Manchester Evening News at management level - most recently as Deputy Sports Editor. I know newspapers inside out and know what it takes to get things published.

Here are the skills and qualities I can bring to a prospective employer.

WRITING
From one paragraph fillers to 1,000 word features I’m at home in front of a keyboard. I’ve written news stories, travel features, music reviews and sports interviews.

EDITING AND DESIGN
Editing and designing newspaper stories and pages has been my bread and butter. I can judge the quality of copy and bring it to life through snappy headlines and attention grabbing layout.

MEETING DEADLINES
I’ve chased the clock throughout my newspaper career and thrive on the adrenalin buzz of meeting deadlines. I’m calm amongst chaos and can assess what it takes to get the job done.

NEW MEDIA
I’ve been trained in multi-media convergence, helped integrate the MEN website with the sports desk and have television and radio experience.

PEOPLE
I’m adept at judging skills and getting the best out of people. I’ve spent many years managing journalists in a highly-charged atmosphere. I’m comfortable in a team environment, treat people with respect and have always felt respected by my colleagues.

EXPERIENCE
With more than 30 years at the sharp end of the newspaper business I’ve learned a lot through experience. The hairdrier treatment off Sir Alex Ferguson, an audience with Eric Cantona, a brush with the police in New York . . . just a few highlights from a long and rollercoaster career.




CV

Born: April 13, 1956

Employment history
1983-2009: Manchester Evening News
1979-1983: Daily Star Sports Desk
1975-1979: Salford City Reporter

Career milestones
1979 Making the jump from a weekly paper reporter to a national newspaper
1991 Covering European Cup-winners Cup final between Man Utd and Barcelona in Rotterdam for the Manchester Evening News
1994 Working through the night to produce a 32-page tribute to Sir Matt Busby on the day he died
1994 Covering World Cup final between Italy and Brazil in Los Angeles and interviewing Bobby Charlton, Ryan Giggs and George Best on the same day
1998 Being appointed Deputy Sports Editor of the Manchester Evening News
1999 Attending Man Utd’s 2-1 European Cup win over Bayern Munich in Barcelona, returning to the office overnight and bringing out a 16 page special
2002 Producing daily Commonwealth Games newspaper (nominated for a UK Press Gazette award)
2004 Producing a Bye Bye Beckham supplement when he left Man Utd for Real Madrid (also nominated for a UK Press Gazette award)
2007 Reviewing Morrissey’s gig at Manchester’s G-MEX


Education
1961-66 St Luke’s RC Primary School, Salford
1966-1974 De La Salle College, Weaste Lane, Salford
1975 Sheffield University (left after eight weeks to become trainee journalist)

Educational qualifications
GCE O levels in Maths, English, Latin, Physics, Geography
GCE A levels in British Government and Politics (A), Economics (C) and Geography (E)
National Council for Training of Journalists Proficiency Test
Week long course in Newsroom Multi-Media Convergence at University of South Carolina

Other info
Married with four children. Enjoy live music, theatre, reading, travelling, country walks and most sports.

Employment History