• Philip Smith

    Writer and editor

  •  

    An accomplished and experienced writer, journalist and editor who combines a creative flair with project management skills to deliver high-impact print and online content.


    Demonstrable success within a variety of organisations and cultures from newspapers, agencies and small businesses to a major global PLC and an international charity. Able to assimilate complex issues and communicate them in a clear, coherent and accessible way to a variety of audiences.


    Excellent interpersonal skills used to great effect when formulating relationships with clients, colleagues and contributors. Successful track record in extracting sensitive information via an empathetic but sophisticated interview technique.


    Proactive, methodical and thorough with strong commercial acumen, able to manage simultaneously a variety of projects to deadline and to budget.

     

  • EXPERIENCE

     

    broken image

    Blueberry Quill Ltd

    Owner 

    Sep 2003 – Present

     

    Managing and driving a diverse range of assignments for a wide range of clients including The Daily Telegraph, Oracle, Sunday Times Fast Track, Charity Times and Prime Location.

     

    Specific roles include:
    • Editor and manager of Oracle-sponsored LinkedIn groups: Successfully managing content aimed at top-level managers, VPs and CEOs so enabling Oracle to build relationships with potential global clients

    • Regular writer for Telegraph Media Group: Worked on projects sponsored by Amazon, American Express, Business in the Community, HSBC, National Business Awards, UBS and UPS

     

    • Communications and content provider to Hammer plc, a European-wide IT distributor. Responsible for initiating and writing industry thought-leadership articles, brochures, web content and press relations.

    • Researcher and interviewer for the Sunday Times Fast Track series: Leading interviews with selected senior managers to obtain business information, and to facilitate access to potential clients for programme sponsors Hiscox, BDO, BGF and Barclays

    broken image

    WordZone - part of the world's largest independent operator of LinkedIn groups

    Editorial Manager 

    Nov 2002 – Feb 2010

     

    Fully accountable for, and with editorial control of, commercially sponsored programmes in the business sections of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times, consisting in-paper and online content supported by live events and seminars.

    broken image

    Telegraph Media Group

    Editor, Telegraph Business Club 

    2006 – 2010

     

    • Responsible for defining the strategic direction of all editorial content, developing an appropriate tone and style in line with the exacting standards of the newspaper

    • Part of the blue chip partner account management team meeting and delivering the expectations of the programme sponsors and successfully addressing potential conflicts, while ensuring editorial integrity and independence is maintained

    • Managed, researched, wrote, commissioned and edited print content for the Telegraph Business Club. Also contributing to websites and social media

    • Made a significant personal contribution to doubling membership numbers and increase revenues as a result of improved quality and editorial integrity for The Telegraph Business Club

    • Represented the Telegraph Business Club at industry events and on national awards judging panels

    • “Crisp, intelligent and engaging writing.” - Richard Tyler, Enterprise Editor, The Daily Telegraph.

    broken image

    News UK

    Sunday Times Enterprise Network programme editor 

    2002 – 2006

     

    • Responsible for defining the strategic direction of all editorial content, developing an appropriate tone and style in line with the exacting standards of the newspaper

    • Part of the blue chip partner account management team meeting and delivering the expectations of the programme sponsors and successfully addressing potential conflicts, while ensuring editorial integrity and independence is maintained

    • Managed, researched, wrote, commissioned and edited print content for the Sunday Times Enterprise Network. Also contributing to websites and social media

    • Successfully launched the Sunday Times Enterprise Network in the Republic of Ireland

    • “Managed the delicate balance between high editorial integrity and commercial interests of the sponsors with good grace and diplomacy.” - Frank Fitzgibbon, Editor, Sunday Times, Ireland.

    broken image

    Comark Communications Ltd

    Business Manager 

    1998 – 2002

     

    Tasked with managing the marketing communications for major clients, including budgets and P&L.

    broken image

    WWF

    Editor 

    1992 – 1998

     

    Responsbile for editing and producing a range of internal and external publications.

    broken image

    Racal Group Services

    Senior Publications Editor 

    1989 – 1992

     

    Editing, commissioning, writing and producing a range of internal and external publications.

    broken image

    Benn Publications

    Systems Production Editor 

    1988 – 1989

     

    Oversaw the introduction of PC-based editorial and production systems, ensuring editorial continuity and quality.

    broken image

    Southern Daily Echo

    Sub editor 

    1987 – 1988

     

    News and features sub-editor, including top table work and page layout.

    broken image

    Basingstoke Gazette

    Reporter, Sub editor, Business Editor 

    1983 – 1987

     

    Highlight your duties and achievements in a few sentences here. You can also describe the company a bit, for those who might be unfamiliar.

    broken image

    Aldershot News

    Reporter 

    1980 – 1983

     

    Highlight your duties and achievements in a few sentences here. You can also describe the company a bit, for those who might be unfamiliar.

  • SKILLS

     

    Blogging

    Business

    Content moderation

    Editing

    Editorial

    Editorial management

    Journalism

    Marketing communications

    Multi-channel communications

    Social media

  • EDUCATION

     

    broken image

    University of Reading

    MBA Business management 1995 - 1997

     

    Describe your studies, involvements, and accomplishments at this school.

    broken image

    Harlow College

    NCTJ Journalism 1981 - 1981

     

    Describe your studies, involvements, and accomplishments at this school.

    broken image

    University of Southampton

    BSc (Hons) Politics 1976 - 1979

     

     

  • REFERENCES

     

    broken image

    Amanda Gray

    Copy-editor/Proofreader

    I thoroughly enjoyed working for Phil for three years as his Editorial Research Assistant at WWF. I found him an inspiring, articulate, respectful and patient editor and writer, as well as a fun team player who always kept a cool head and his sense of humour especially at deadline time.

    broken image

    Simon Fletcher (Arrowmaker Communications)

    Owner and Managing Director, Arrowmaker Communications Ltd. - PR, Marcomms, Corporate & Internal Comms, Multilingual

    Many years of working with Phil has taught me that he always comes up with the goods - no matter how challenging the editorial schedule. He's got a great eye for an angle, and writes with clarity and punch.

    broken image

    Liz Rowe

    Freelance Consultant

    Phil is able assimilate sometimes complex issues to produce excellent work to tight deadlines. He's calm, logical and responsive; a great combination when you need great work delivered quickly.

    broken image

    Richard Tyler

    Director of Research and Editorial at Fast Track

    Writes well; professional. All you need to know.

    broken image

    Dave Sumner Smith

    Vertical Network specialist & CEO at Next Dimension Media - world's largest independent operator of LinkedIn groups

    I have employed Phil for several years and come to rely on him more and more. He is an excellent writer with extensive knowledge of a huge variety of topics relating to British business. He is totally dependable and a great organiser.

    broken image

    Frank Fitzgibbon

    Ireland Editor at The Sunday Times

    Philip is an accomplished writer and has vast experience in producing quality editorial for publication in national media. He is very aware of the commercial sensitivities involved in producing sponsored content for mainstream media and straddles that tightrope with great agility. He is very easy to work with and always produces to deadline.

    broken image

    Frank Dillon

    Business Journalist & Managing Editor at Decision magazine

    I worked with Philip as a frrelance writer for The Sunday Times via Wordzone from 2004-2008. Philip is a highly organised manager and commissioning editor who displays great professionalism and attention to detail in his work. He was also very courteous and pleasant to work with at all times and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.

  • CONTACT ME! 

  • LET'S CHAT

    broken image

    bizwords@hotmail.com

    broken image

    07570 586323