Journalism

Proactive, investigative journalism is my thing

Based in Devon, I have extensive experience researching and writing reports on all facets of society, from local government and education to healthcare, the military and human interest stories.

My work has often involved data collation and the production of in-depth, evidence-based reports. I’m motivated by social justice, giving people a voice and fighting people’s corners.

I’m often asked what my specialism is.

Here’s a snapshot…

  • Interviews with senior politicians including Michael Gove, Ed Miliband, John Prescott, Nick Clegg and Vince Cable.
  • UK-wide investigations involving hundreds of FOI submissions and detailed data analysis.
  • Exclusive family insights into Crown Court cases, multi-day inquests, CQC reports, and police appeals and incidents.
  • Exclusive news features into the training and work of the Royal Marines: the Captain who was severely injured twice within weeks in two successive tours of Afghanistan; interviews with IED amputees; the role of the Royal Marines band in Afghanistan.
  • Sensitive human interest stories, interviews with: the friends who dove down to a wreck to find their friend because the authorities woudn't; the Big Issue seller who had been homeless for 18 years; an Arctic 30 maritime engineer; a young reoffender who had been in prison five times by his mid-20s; domestic abuse survivors; early onset dementia sufferers; brain injury survivors.
  • Investigations which prompted authority action: the headteacher who wrongly earnt more than the Prime Minister; concerns about the treatment of children at the Atkinson Unit in Exeter.
  • Investigations exposing controversial local government finances; why Devon County Council had £14.3m in reserves but was making cuts to organisations including Unison and Devon Against Domestic Violence; why DCC spent tens of thousands of pounds in one year on mothballed buildings while making £27m of funding cuts.
  • Investigations exposing controversial local government finances continued: why DCC issued £750k on unauthorised parking fines in three years despite making a £3.5m loss on its parking enforcement strategy.
  • Investigations into controversial local authority/NHS budget cuts and their real-life impact: closure of community hospitals; closure of residential/nursing homes; youth service cuts; two-tier residential home system; 30-minute community care visits.
  • On-location reporting from Auschwitz with teenagers, community campaigns to save AONBs and against controversial redevelopment; Occupy Exeter.
  • The Guardian’s Global Development Series: Kabul’s female veterinarians; Myanmar’s indie rockers; Afghanistan’s female mountaineers.

Journalism

Journalism should inform, challenge and inspire. Whether uncovering injustice or celebrating resilience, every story deserves to be told with care and clarity.

If you know of an issue that warrants investigation or a story that needs telling, I’d love to hear from you.

Media Training

Launched in 2026, my Media Training sessions will empower you and your colleagues to work with broadcast and digital media outlets confidently, maximising the potential benefits of media coverage to your organisation or business.

For full details visit my Media Training page.

Credentials

Professional accreditation: National Council for the Training of Journalists’ (NCTJ) National Certificate Examination, including media law.

Listed on the NCTJ’s shorthand teachers’ register.  

Entry level member of the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders. CIEP’s Introduction to Copyediting course – pass.

Proofreader for Karnac Books, the world’s leading independent publisher and specialist bookseller for psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.

For more detail on credentials and experiences visit our LinkedIn page

Features & news

Devon Life: LandWorks, offender resettlement programme

Devon Life: Training future surf lifesavers: Exmouth Beach Rescue Club

Devon Life: Interview with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Business Impact magazine: Business Schools and Social Impact

Devon Life: Syrian refugee mother’s bid to feed their new community

Surf Girl: Riders for Refugees

Guardian Global Development: Ascend Afghanistan

Guardian Global Development: Burma’s Indie rockers

Guardian Global Development: Kabul’s female veterinarians

Devon Life: Nowzad’s Pen Farthing on Boris Johnson and the evacuation from Afghanistan

Devon Life: The Magic Marine

Plymouth Herald: Royal Marines Rehabilitation Triathlon

Investigations

My investigation into the finances of a Plymouth Academy can be read here

My investigation into the rising number of frontline NHS staff seeking mental health support can be read here

Investigations into the mental health sector, which have helped inform the work of Labour MP Ben Bradshaw and Conservative MP Johnny Mercer, include:

Unprecedented rise in mental health admissions to the UK’s A&Es: read here

Half of England’s mental health care trusts report significant rise in ‘psychiatric bed blocking’ with the wait for nursing/residential home places the most significant reason: read here

Research into veterans’ mental health care reveals “patchwork” approach prompting a call for a national framework of care: read here

The impact the menopause can have on women’s mental health: read here and here

The unfair flaw in the UK government’s 30 hours a week free childcare policy: read here

Giving you a voice

What's your story?

Send your name, email, or number, and we’ll be in touch: