am an Essex-based freelance journalist, copywriter and communications professional with 30 years’ experience. 

 

I've written and edited numerous publications, spanning both digital and print media, including newspapers, business and consumer magazines, and client communications.

 

A fully qualified newspaper journalist

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National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) qualified, I started out as a newspaper reporter and spent more than a decade honing my skills with two local newspaper groups, progressing to chief reporter, deputy news editor and then sub-editor. 

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Fluent in Spanish, I went on to work for Charles Barker Publishing (now Weber Shandwick) as an editor, launching a bilateral UK-Mexico trade and investment B2B magazine for client, UK Trade & Investment. I also played a key role in the UK Government's three-year target market campaign for Mexico.

 

Progressing to managing editor, I was in charge of a team of writers and editors, with clients including the British Airports Authority and Visa.

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PR leadership & press office management

 

In 2011, I moved from agency side to in-house with David Lloyd Leisure, where I headed up PR for this leading health, sports and leisure group. As part of the senior marketing team, I was responsible for the company’s consumer PR activity, press office and crisis management communications. I also managed the brand’s national charity partnerships and played a leading role in launching its social media channels.

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Experienced freelance writer & editor

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Four years later, I went back to my journalistic roots, writing health and fitness features for women's glossies before becoming editor of a national luxury interiors consumer magazine.

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In early 2020, I launched my freelance business to provide media outlets, companies - big and small - and PR and marketing agencies with a comprehensive range of content/copy writing, editing and proofreading services.

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Over the last four years, I've worked on multiple projects for an array of clients, including retail giant Frasers Group, hygiene services leader PHS Group, and community retailer East of England Co-op. 

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Testimonials

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"From the off, Anna-Marie really understood what I was looking for in terms of language style and tone of voice, and the quality of her work has been exemplary. I am a massive control freak, who finds it very difficult to let go and delegate, but Anna has been an absolute godsend in picking up the content I send her, and turning it into something magical. Whether it is an email with a load of bullet points, an audio tape, or just a few key messages and a website link, she has been able to knock the information into shape, drafting articles and content that is truly outstanding, and which has required only very minimal changes from my end. Thank you Anna-Marie ♥ "

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Sue Wilcock, Publishing Editor, UK Director Magazines

 

"I have commissioned Anna for many years as a writer, and she always provides the required content to an excellent standard. Anna takes time to understand the subject of the content, and provides a professional service which makes her very easy to work with. Whether it’s feature writing, marketing materials or blogs – Anna’s experience ensures deadlines are never missed."

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Clara Perry, Publishing Director, The DS Group

 

"Anna delivers sparkling, accurate copy time after time. She's adaptable, writes to brief and maintains excellent attention to detail in every project. During her time writing for Healthy Diet magazine, Anna met each commission with great professionalism and positivity, even when the deadline set was short! It was pleasure to work with her and I'd be delighted to work with her again."

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Naomi Abeykoon, former Head of Editorial, Healthy Diet

 

“Anna-Marie was employed by me when I was Marketing Director. She had many projects during that time, and I can assure you that multi-tasking is certainly one skill that she has. She’s an asset to any organisation, with a work ethic that most struggle to match.”

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Huw Davies-Thomas, David Lloyd Clubs

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Clients & Commissions

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East of England Co-op 

Press releases, blogs, features, award entries

 

Phs Group (media agency 'Cause)

White papers, CSR reports, press releases, blogs

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White papers written for Phs Group:

• Period Equality - Breaking the Cycle, 2023

• Binning the Taboo - Disposing with Dignity (in partnership with Prostate Cancer UK), 2023

• Covid-19 - Time for a Fresh Approach, 2022

• Period Equality - Breaking Down the Barriers, 2021

• Covid-19 - Time for a Fresh Approach, 2022

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Birkett Long Solicitors (media agency Better)

Parental legal guides written for Birkett Long:

• Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) - How to Make a Complaint or Challenge a Decision, 2023

• Educational, Health and Care Assessments & Plans: Getting your Child the Right Support, 2023

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Amara & Sofa.com (Frasers Group)

E-commerce & blog copywriter, 2023

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Editorial magazines & websites

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Feature & business writer for UK Director Magazines, 2023

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Editor of four contract consumer magazines, 2020-23

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Interior design writer for designerati.co.uk, 2020-22

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