Journalism CV

Freelance writer.
January 2006 to present

I write a weekly garden column for The Mail on Sunday and a monthly gardening column for Saga Magazine, saga.co.uk and Grow It! I contribute to a wide range of titles, including Sainsbury's Magazine, The Guardian, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, bbc.co.uk/gardening, The Times Magazine, BBC Gardeners' World, The English Garden and The Garden. I am author of RHS Wildlife Garden (Dorling Kindersley - 2009), 101 Ideas for Small Gardens (BBC Books - 2009), Gardening with Kids (Ryland, Peters & Small - 2008) and 101 Plants for Problem Places (BBC Books - 2008). I'm currently working on a book for Timber Press.

Gardenlife, Seven Publishing.
July 2004 - January 2006

Deputy editor at this glossy, monthly title which won the Garden Writers' Guild Magazine of Year 2005. I planned and wrote its pullout practical section called Hands On. I helped to forward plan, commissioned writers, edited copy, wrote cover lines and arranged photo shoots.

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, BBC Worldwide.
May 2001 - July 2004

Features editor on the UK's best-selling gardening magazine. My responsibilities included developing content plans, writing features and commissioning copy from writers and celebrity experts. I broadcast on both national and regional radio, and appeared as a pundit on national television.

e-garden, London.
April 2000 - April 2001

Gardening editor at this online magazine and e-commerce website. Responsible for commissioning features from celebrity writers, writing news and features. I vetted the site to ensure all copy read well, uploaded copy onto the site and answered Ask the Expert questions.

Amateur Gardening, IPC Country & Leisure Media.
August 1998 - March 2000

News editor at this weekly consumer title. I put together six pages of news, mainly by generating my own stories, but I also established a team of regional stringers and commissioned freelance writers. I wrote features, edited finished pages and interviewed celebrities.

Horticulture Week, Haymarket Business Publications.
July 1996 - August 1998

Deputy news editor at this weekly business to business title, following swift promotion from reporter and senior reporter positions. I wrote news, analysis, leaders, features and managed a team of reporters when deputising for the news editor.