About Me

Back in the dark ages before emails, social media and Google, I studied French and Italian at the University of Birmingham and the University of Florence, Italy, and have worked in PR since graduation – aside from a couple of interesting detours as a Prime Central London lettings agent and an Italian Government Bonds broker in the City!

With a diverse career across many business sectors, I have run my own PR company and worked at the Director level for leading PR agencies. My expertise includes news generation, copywriting, strategic communications, client management, sales, business development, stakeholder/community engagement and social media management.

My career in PR has been incredibly varied. Over the years, I have PR’d everything from advertising to adhesives, child care to carpets, makeup to The Muppets, perfume to parenting, and travel to toiletries. Notably, I was part of the team that introduced the first Triple Therapy Treatment with anti-HIV drugs into Europe and worked with the UNFPA/Rockefeller Foundation’s “Partners in Population and Development,” advocating contraception and family planning in developing countries.

I have also managed PR for major sporting events, including acting as Australia PR Manager for the Supercross Nationals (Motocross) and handling media for boxing, MotoGP and triathlons. Additionally, I have served as a publicist for several Sydney-based celebrity chefs and their restaurants.

For many years, I ran my own PR business, PR Chicks, in Australia, working with clients both locally and in the UK. I also played a key role in expanding Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics into Europe as their European Sales Manager, growing the business to over 20 stockists before transitioning it to a larger distributor.

After 11 years in Sydney, I moved to Spain in 2012, before returning to the UK in 2013, settling back into my old home – Limpsfield, Surrey (Oxted), a beautiful rural spot by the North Downs, a hop and a skip on Southern Rail to London.

Now, under the working name of The Word Bird, I focus on helping small businesses with PR, copywriting, marketing, social media, and websites. I am passionate about supporting local businesses and high streets, wearing several hats in this regard:

• BID Manager (formerly Marketing & Events Manager) for The Oxted Business Improvement District (@loveoxted), promoting Oxted town centre and its businesses.
• Publisher & Editor of www.limpsfieldsurrey.com and @limpsfieldsurrey social media, highlighting local activities, charities, and businesses.
• Clerk & RFO for Limpsfield Parish Council.

I contribute to local media outlets, including Tandridge Independent, Limpsfield Parish News, Oxted Local, Chart News and County Chronicle.

Beyond PR, I am a lead invigilator and occasional cover teacher at Oxted School (my happy place!), serve on the National Trust Local Committee for Limpsfield Common, and volunteer as a Surrey Hills Ranger (NT – Limpsfield Common).

I thrive on variety and love making a difference, whether for businesses, communities, or the great outdoors!