Wychwood Communications |Trainer Biographies

Expertise

Media Training
Broadcast journalism

Steve has twenty years experience of working in radio, TV and with the record industry.

Background After studying French and Russian at the University of Sussex, he began his broadcasting career at BBC Radio Sussex before joining commercial rivals Southern Sound to present a daily show. As a Radio Presenter he has also worked for the Capital Radio Group, Virgin Radio, Talk Radio, the Chiltern Radio Group and most recently, the regional station for the South of England, Wave 105.

Here he presents the flagship breakfast show from Monday to Friday. In addition he has been part of a Sony Radio Gold Award team for the 1st National Music Day as well as anchoring the Genesis Prince’s Trust concert for the commercial radio network. In 2004 he was part of the winning team at Wave 105 for the prestigious CRCA (Commercial Radio Companies Association) Station of the Year.

He has also worked in programme management with both the Capital Radio Group and Chiltern Radio Group. During this time he was responsible for the successful reapplication for three radio licenses in the South.

Steve’s extensive experience in interviewing led him to devise a media training module in 1995 and is responsible for working on the development of various music artists including the Spice Girls, Jamelia, Blue, Westlife and S Club. His work has seen him team up with various media companies including Sony, EMI, Universal and the BBC.

In addition to the media training, Steve also provides a portfolio of services for both the record and radio industries. These include syndicated programming and radio presenter talent sourcing and recruitment.

His TV credits include a 10 part TV series for Discovery Home and Leisure called Trainspotting and a series of sell through videos of England footballers.

	Gillian Gibbons Expertise Communications Strategy Corporate Communications Issues and Crisis Management Public Affairs Internal Communications Fifteen years experience of financial services gained working for major blue chips including Standard Life and GE Capital. Over ten years experience of teaching, coaching and facilitating in educational and commercial environments. Background Gillian started her career working for a marketing consultancy before specialising in public relations. As communications executive for GE Capital Gillian’s responsibilities included developing the UK PR strategy, media management, internal and European newsletters, as well as event management. In 1993 she became PR and communications specialist at Lloyds TSB, before moving to Standard Life Healthcare, initially as press and PR officer before being promoted to PR manager with responsibility for daily management of the press office. In this role, Gillian planned and implemented major announcements and product launches such as Standard Life Healthcare’s Choices programme. Further promotion to public affairs manager and deputy to the corporate Affairs director, led to responsibility for areas such as FSA regulation of the general insurance industry. During this consultation exercise Gillian developed the mediation skills necessary to influence the content of the final rulebook. This role gave the opportunity for Gillian to consolidate her coaching skills. As a PR consultant, and founder of Wychwood Communications, Gillian practices the principles of media skills on a daily basis. She holds a BA (Hons) in History and Geography, the CAM certificate and is a member of the IPR.

	Duncan Barkes Expertise Media Training Media Relations Broadcast Journalism Issues & Crisis Management Ten years experience of public and media relations encompassing a number of sectors including IT, automotive, charity, healthcare and leisure sectors. Background Duncan began is his career in the automotive sector in the marketing and PR department of an international contract hire and fleet management company. He later moved to a West Sussex based international IT company where he managed the in-house PR operation for the business in the UK and the US. This role also encompassed investor relations as the business floated on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). A stint in London at a PR agency soon followed with a diverse range of clients including those in the IT, high street retail, automotive and pub sectors. He spent 3 years at leading medical research charity Action Research as their PR Manager. During this time he was part of the team that won the PR Week Gold Award for Best In House Team in 1999. He also managed the charity’s annual £300k advertising budget and developed the charity’s celebrity supporter scheme. In 2002 Duncan joined Standard Life Healthcare as PR Manager where he played an integral part in the success of the business’s media relations programme. Mid 2003 saw Duncan put his PR career on ice as he pursued a full time career in broadcasting. He is currently Head of Presentation and morning host at a commercial radio station in West Sussex and can also be heard on national Commercial talk radio station TalkSPORT 1089/1053AM, hosting current affairs phone-ins. His wealth of radio and media Experience make him ideally placed to advise clients on making the most out of working with the media. He has also hosted and produced programmes for BBC local radio. Duncan is a member of The Radio Academy and the Chartered Institute of Journalists.

	Steve Power Expertise Media Training Broadcast journalism Steve has twenty years experience of working in radio, TV and with the record industry. Background After studying French and Russian at the University of Sussex, he began his broadcasting career at BBC Radio Sussex before joining commercial rivals Southern Sound to present a daily show. As a Radio Presenter he has also worked for the Capital Radio Group, Virgin Radio, Talk Radio, the Chiltern Radio Group and most recently, the regional station for the South of England, Wave 105. Here he presents the flagship breakfast show from Monday to Friday. In addition he has been part of a Sony Radio Gold Award team for the 1st National Music Day as well as anchoring the Genesis Prince’s Trust concert for the commercial radio network. In 2004 he was part of the winning team at Wave 105 for the prestigious CRCA (Commercial Radio Companies Association) Station of the Year. He has also worked in programme management with both the Capital Radio Group and Chiltern Radio Group. During this time he was responsible for the successful reapplication for three radio licenses in the South. Steve’s extensive experience in interviewing led him to devise a media training module in 1995 and is responsible for working on the development of various music artists including the Spice Girls, Jamelia, Blue, Westlife and S Club. His work has seen him team up with various media companies including Sony, EMI, Universal and the BBC. In addition to the media training, Steve also provides a portfolio of services for both the record and radio industries. These include syndicated programming and radio presenter talent sourcing and recruitment. His TV credits include a 10 part TV series for Discovery Home and Leisure called Trainspotting and a series of sell through videos of England footballers.
	Sarah Edwards Expertise Print journalism and copywriting Television production/journalism and research PR and media training Twenty years of experience across the media, including national, regional and local print journalism as well as television production and magazine journalism both staff and freelance. Background Sarah started her career as a journalist on a local weekly free sheet reviewing bands and the arts. Several years of solid newspaper reporting and feature writing in all disciplines gained her positions as Chief Reporter, Sub Editor and News Editor, and she was also launch editor of a number of new newspaper titles, and was recognized for her achievements by being short listed and winning various journalism awards. As well as having a solid background in news, Sarah has written about women’s issues, health, the environment, education, business, fashion and beauty as well as interiors and gardening. In the early 1990s Sarah was offered a position with leading evening daily newspaper The Oxford Mail, as a senior journalist before moving on to London and fulfilling her dream of becoming a television researcher and later producer. In her first year in broadcast journalism, Sarah was responsible for researching and producing strands for national, live network programmes working with well known executive producers such as Michel Hurll Television, Wall to Wall, Mentorn (now part of Endemol) and Hatrick. Sarah holds the NCTJ Proficiency Certificate in Journalism and is a member of the NUJ. She has an in depth knowledge of how the media works from both sides and uses these skills on a daily basis, both as a journalist and a PR for her clients who are mostly in the lifestyle sector.