Curriculum Vitae
Professional Experience
13 Feb 2023 - Present
Head of Communications and External Affairs and
ELT member
Fight for Sight
London
I joined Fight for Sight at an exciting stage in its journey as it merged with Vision Foundation. It created an opportunity for me to lead a strategic rebrand, which included working with an agency to develop a new visual identity, narrative and tone of voice.
In addition, I have:
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Commissioned a suite of brand videos (222,000+ views).
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Worked alongside a digital consultant to merge and relaunch the website.
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Built an in-house communications team to support the charity’s ambitious objectives and procured a new digital media partner.
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Supported the flagship event,
Vis-Ability 2025. -
Run the London Marathon on behalf of the charity and raised over £2,000.
Jan 2022-Feb 2023
Writer, editor, and content strategist
Freelance
I worked for charity, commercial clients, and agencies. Projects included writing search-optimised content for a pet insurance company and a technology start-up.​​
Testimonial
"I would highly recommend working with Sarah. Her work ethic is superb, and she is never short of fantastic ideas. She has heightened our presence on LinkedIn by producing professional weekly posts for ClearTalents. We are honoured to have had her as part of our team."
Claire Jones, Director, ClearTalents
June 2019 – Jan 2022
Marketing Manager
AbilityNet
I promoted the work and impact of AbilityNet's 350+ volunteers.
I achieved this by creating and implementing a quarterly communications plan, writing search-optimised blogs, organising and promoting quarterly webinars, and engaging volunteers in quarterly campaigns.
Additionally, I produced thought leadership articles, white papers, and marketing assets, and created a new online platform to promote the annual accessibility show.
July 2015 - June 2019
Head of Content, Healthcare Innovation
British Heart Foundation
On being promoted to Head of Content, I:
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Led a strategic review of healthcare content, shifting the emphasis from print to digital
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Reviewed processes and procured a new warehouse, leading to an annual cost-avoidance of £300k
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Restructured the healthcare innovation content team
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Oversaw a strategic review of healthcare content on the BHF's website
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I led a 15-strong team of staff, managing six people and was an active ELT member.
Sept 2012 – July 2015
Editor, Heart Matters,
British Heart Foundation
Under my editorship:
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Heart Matters won a CorpComms award two years in a row,
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The magazine adopted new BHF brand values & visual identity,
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Content migrated to a new CMS, overhauling the site's structure for SEO and engagement.
Day-to-day, I:
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Ran editorial workshops to gather ideas across directorates.
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Planned magazine editorial, wrote commissions and briefed writers.
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Edited magazine editorial from staff and publishing agency.
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Conducted interviews, wrote articles.
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Managed the editorial budget.
Jan 2008 – Sept 2012
Editor, Which? Computing
Consumer's Association
Under my editorship:
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The magazine achieved the largest readership in its sector.
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Year-on-year revenue grew 8% (2010-2011) retention boosted up 7.2%.
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The magazine was awarded the Crystal Mark for Plain English.
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Twice shortlisted for editor of the Year (British Society of Magazine Editors).
Daily, I:
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Planned and commissioned copy from internal and external freelance writers.
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Edited raw copy, cut it to fit and proofed all articles.
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Managed a team of five, conducting regular one-to-ones and appraisals.
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Generated schedule ideas for the magazine.
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Ensured that we met the financial targets and managed a budget.
March 2005 – Jan 2008
Assistant Editor, Which? Computing
Consumer's Association
On being promoted from Senior Researcher, I:
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I was the acting editor while the editor was on maternity leave.
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Edited group tests and features.
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Edited the 16-page supplement that accompanied each issue.
Apr 2002 – Mar 2005
Senior Researcher, Which? Computing
Consumer's Association
In this role, I:
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Turned lab-based data into engaging articles and reports.
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Edited and wrote news and features.
Aug-Dec 2000
Connect!
I was headhunted for Connect! For financial reasons, Future couldn't launch it.
Future Publishing
Sept 1995 – Dec 2000
News and features editor
PC Pro
I wrote and edited the news section (12pp) and commissioned features. In addition, I managed a staff writer. Plus, I represented the magazine at conferences and on TV and was shortlisted as an editorial employee of the year.
Education
Sept 1991 to June 1994
Exeter University
I have a 2.1 in History with Media Studies
BA Hons
Plymouth
Sept 1988 to June 1990
Somerset College of Arts and Technology
Taunton
A Levels:
History (C)
Communications (D)
Sociology (D)
Skills
Content
I've worked in content for 30 years. I'm skilled at delivering content in print, writing for B2C and B2B and charities. Specialisms include writing thought leadership and white papers. I've worked with digital teams writing to wireframes and content plans and have created persona maps.
BRAND
I joined Fight for Sight at an exciting stage in its journey as it merged with Vision Foundation. It created an opportunity for me to lead a strategic rebrand, which included working with an agency to develop a new visual identity, narrative and tone of voice.
COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING
I am highly organised professional skilled in using Microsoft Teams, Monday.com and other online platforms. I have crafted multi-channel campaigns and created communications grids.
Leadership
I have extensive experience as a senior leader and manager. I'm skilled in partnership working and relationship building. I'm a former Senior Management Team and ELT member.
In addition, I also have a Level 4 Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling and an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes.