As part of the events team at the University of Canterbury Students’ Association, I manage the operational staff and technical systems at the heart of our live music productions.

I started by pitching pieces to London’s local papers as a journalism student, and developed my craft from there. My most recent commission was to update two chapters for the latest edition of “Fodor’s Essential Iceland” travel guide, including authoring several new sections.

The Reykjavík Grapevine is Iceland’s leading English-language publication, covering arts and culture, news and current affairs, travel and much more. In this position I directed editorial in the areas of arts, culture and travel.

The role encompassed pitching and writing, subediting, layout and design, photography, presenting/producing video content and managing social media channels. It also involved management duties across a busy publishing business, including the development of new media products, staff recruitment and mentoring those new to the industry.

I was a diving instructor, underwater photographer, video producer and social media manager for a busy scuba diving business. I was also part of the company’s management team, and frequently took responsibility for operational and staffing matters.

I was a senior member of the BBC Live Music and Events team, which was responsible for all live music event activity across Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 1Xtra, 6 Music, Asian Network and BBC Music Introducing.

I led the production team which delivered live music content from iconic music festivals such as Glastonbury and Reading, as well as from innovative BBC events such as The Biggest Weekend and 6 Music Festival. I also oversaw the production of regular studio-based live music broadcasts, including high-profile session brands such as the Radio 1 Live Lounge and the Radio 2 Piano Room.

My responsibilities included event project management, live music production, outside broadcast operations, developing relationships with stakeholders, artist negotiations, budget formation and control, staff and resource management, and implementing effective production management systems.

This development secondment with the television production team at BBC Proms enhanced my experience of broadcasting orchestral live music. It also allowed me to investigate the possibilities of 360° filming to deliver concerts to audiences in virtual reality.

I joined Australia’s foremost alternative music radio station on a development secondment, having formulated the idea and pitched it to the BBC to secure funding.

The purpose was to join triple j in their management and production areas, exchanging ideas and experiences to the mutual benefit of the ABC and the BBC. This included work on triple j’s coverage of the Big Day Out Festival and their own One Night Stand event, as well as involvement in their Hottest 100 project and conversations around what would become the ABC’s new station double j.