CAREER HISTORY

Below is a list of the roles I have held, together with my achievements. You can also download a PDF version of my CV here.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Renegotiated long-standing Spotify agreement for Vodafone UK with enhanced terms

  • Launched the first portfolio of FAST channels for Narrative Entertainment

  • Renewed significant carriage agreement with OSN in the Middle East for Hearst Networks

  • Negotiated a UK-first triple-play promotion with Netflix for Vodafone UK

fixed term contract roles

Hearst Networks EMEA (formerly A+E Networks EMEA)
Director, Distribution (July 2023 – July 2024)

Lead all affiliate partnerships to distribute HISTORY Channel, H2 and Crime+Investigation Network across EMEA. This covered over 50 platforms in almost 20 countries.

Achievements:

  • Renewal of major OSN agreement in the Middle East

  • Multiple renewals across the Netherlands, Sweden, Cyprus and Greece

Narrative Entertainment (formerly Sony Television)
Commercial Director (March – July 2023)

Leading a team of 15, this was an interim position responsible for all commercial aspects of the business. This covered distribution agreements, advertising sales, digital products and included launching the first portfolio of FAST channels.

Achievements:

  • Launched FAST channels across Samsung, LG, Rakuten and Vidaa

  • Worked with the Managing Director on future company restructuring

Vodafone Group
Senior Business Development Manager (May – December 2022)

Lead the Gaming and Education verticals across Vodafone Group in EMEA within the wider Business Development team. Working with the local markets, I headed up the strategic negotiations with various global partners ensuring a global framework was in place for future partnerships.

Achievement:

  • Launched the first Microsoft hardware and software proposition via Xbox Game Pass bundles across Europe

Paramount (formerly ViacomCBS)
Head of Affiliate Partnerships (January – May 2022)

Short-term contract supporting the wider Streaming department with new initiatives such as Sky Glass, pluto TV and the launch of the Paramount+ service.

Vodafone UK
Partnerships Project Consultant (June – December 2021)

Advised on strategy and approach for a new converged product launch.

Deezer
UK Partnerships Consultant (October 2020 – April 2021)

Assessed UK & Ireland partnership opportunities with telcos and other verticals.

Vodafone UK and Group
Content Consultant (February – April 2020)

Part of the newly formed centralised Content team, based in Luxembourg, I advised on negotiation strategy for upcoming multi-territory carriage agreements.

Head of Content Partnerships (July 2019 – January 2020)

Led the Content Partnerships team for the UK which was responsible for all of Vodafone’s third-party entertainment partnerships.

Achievements:

  • Renewed the Spotify partnership bringing enhanced commercial terms and benefits to the business

  • Initiated negotiations to add YouTube Premium as an additional partner

  • Negotiated extensions to NOW and Sky Sports Mobile TV agreements

Responsible for planning and implementing advertising campaigns across the Sky portfolio, working on the BBJ, Optimedia and MediaVest agency accounts.



In 2019, having seen the rise of drone technology and future potential, I decided to set-up my own aerial photography business on the side.

I therefore resigned from my permanent role at Channel 4, moved to Media consulting and in parallel successfully obtained my Permission for Commercial Operations from the Civil Aviation Authority.

My company provided professional photos and videos for businesses and individuals in Essex and the surrounding areas and initially had success with repeat business from many companies.

Unfortunately, due to a combination of changes in regulation that made it easier for anyone to fly a drone without a qualification, the business was no longer sustainable. I therefore took the difficult decision to move it to a part time venture.

Although this was a setback, I am glad I took that leap as it allowed me to fulfil an ambition that I would have regretted if I hadn’t taken that initial step.

An added benefit from consulting for a variety of companies during this time period, is that it has provided me with invaluable experience and new skills which I will bring to my future roles.

Permanent Roles

Channel 4 Television
Platform Partnerships Lead (November 2017 – July 2019)

Led the Platform Partnerships Team that generates revenue via distributing Channel 4’s channels and services. This included the core Sky and Virgin Media partnerships plus syndication of All 4 across a range of connected devices from providers including Apple, Amazon, Google and Samsung

Achievements:

  • Successfully renewed the long-standing Virgin Media agreement

  • Negotiated and implemented new initiatives with Sky

  • Initiated discussions with Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube to explore the potential opportunities to reach younger audiences

  • Implemented Google Assistant voice integration for All 4, a first for a UK broadcaster

Vodafone uk
Content Partner Manager (March 2015 – October 2017)

Part of the core team for the planned launch of the Vodafone UK TV service which was an innovative and groundbreaking cloud based platform utilising rights and functionality not seen in the UK before. Unfortunately, due to a change in direction for the business, the TV platform did not launch in the UK but the team’s work was subsequently used in other Vodafone territories.

Achievements:

  • Negotiated agreements with all of the Public Service Broadcasters and key Pay TV networks including an EPG line up radically different to Freeview/YouView

  • UK lead for Netflix partnership including negotiating a UK first of an extended promotional offer across TV, Mobile and Broadband

TalkTalk
Senior Content Acquisitions Manager (September 2014 - March 2015)

  • Lead, negotiated and implemented content deals for new VoD Boosts

  • Negotiated and managed existing linear channel agreements

  • Managed the content strategy for the TalkTalk TV Anywhere project

  • Day-to-day commercial relationships with content and channel partners and the wider YouView platform

Senior Manager - Pay TV Content (September 2013 - September 2014)

  • Devised and implemented a Catch-Up TV strategy and negotiated relevant content deals

  • Implemented new initiatives to help increase Pay TV penetration such as Open Weekends

  • Enhanced the TalkTalk TVoD offering in partnership with FilmFlex

TV Channel Manager - Sky portfolio (October 2012 – September 2013)

  • Managed the day-to-day relationship with Sky including marketing of its channels and associated Boosts, working on initiatives to drive Boost uptake plus planning and launching new services

  • Researched, launched and subsequently managed new channels that appealed to TalkTalk’s core demographic

BBC Worldwide
Operations Manager - Global BBC iPlayer (January – October 2012)

A 10-month attachment from UKTV with BBC Worldwide and the Global BBC iPlayer which was a pilot international subscription service available in Australia, New Zealand and selected EMEA territories. I managed the complete end-to-end content workflow working with all areas of the business.

UKTV
Broadcast Manager (January 2009 – January 2012)

  • Launched and subsequently managed UKTV’s presence on the Sky Anytime+ and Sky Go services and was part of the team for the launch of UKTV’s VoD player on PC and YouView, now known as U

  • Led the launch of UKTV's first two HD channels Good Food and Eden

  • Initiated ad-hoc projects including dual screen interactivity and QR codes

  • Worked closely with the Commercial Team to ensure platform agreements were being met and managed operational relationships with BSkyB, Red Bee Media, TVT, BSS and BDS

Senior Network Media Planner (July 2005 – December 2008)

  • Managed promotional airtime and campaigns for the 9-channel network which had an annual commercial value of £40 million

  • Took the initiative to move UKTV to 16:9 broadcasting, generating annual savings of £200,000

BBC Broadcast
Media Planner (January 2004 – June 2005)

Planned all campaigns for UKTV Gold and UKTV Style and managed the airtime barter agreement with Virgin Media.

Assistant Media Planner (August 2002 – December 2003)

Media planned promotional campaigns on BBC One and UKTV Style and led the BBC Worldwide commercial consumer products relationship.

Zenith Optimedia
TV Buyer (June 2001 - August 2002)

Working on the SC Johnson account, with an annual TV spend of £20 million, I bought TV airtime across all networks to deliver campaign targets.

Sky
Airtime Sales Assistant (March 2000 – June 2001)

Responsible for planning and implementing advertising campaigns across the Sky portfolio, working on the BBJ, Optimedia and MediaVest agency accounts.