Before leaping into the world of freelancing, I worked for over 30 years in communications and journalism. Here’s the full list! For more details of what I can do, please visit my skills page.
2024 – present : Nottingham College
Sessional lecturer in a busy inner city further education college, devising and delivering interactive lessons for BTEC Level 3 Journalism students (age 16-19)
2020-2025 : BBC/National Union of Journalists
Trade union rep for the BBC Nations and Regions (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), representing around 1,000 members in radio, TV and digital
- Part of the national negotiating team for pay, employee relations and policy revisions
- Co-ordinating and chairing meetings and communications for around 100 lay reps
- Advocacy and representation for individual members in disciplinary and grievance proceedings
- Advising on and formulating the NUJ’s broadcasting policy, attending stakeholder events, providing comments and quotes for reactive media enquiries and milestone events
1998-2025 : BBC Radio Nottingham
Journalist at one of the BBC’s flagship local radio stations, fulfilling a wide range of duties including :
- Researching, compiling and presenting live and recorded audio news bulletins to 30 minute deadlines
- Reporting live on breaking news, both in the studio and on location
- Covering presenter duties on programmes across the schedule
- Researching, editing and writing long form audio content recorded on location – across radio TV and digital platforms
- Assisting training and development, including delivering training and continued support for Open Media, the BBC’s main newsgathering software; coaching and developing new talent; advising management on training requirements and delivery strategy
- Acting as a lay trade union representation for colleagues
1997-1998 : Radio 106FM (now Hits Radio East Midlands)
Part of the launch team for the East Midlands’ first regional radio station. Duties included :
- Attending stakeholder events pre-launch, establishing and building a network of trusted contacts and contributors
- Researching, compiling and presenting live audio news bulletins to 30 minute deadlines
- Producing speech and music programming
1996-1997 : Gemini Radio, Exeter (now Heart South West)
Starting as a trainee journalist, I quickly established myself as an all rounder at this successful commercial radio station. Duties included :
- Researching, compiling and presenting live audio news bulletins to 30 minute deadlines for two stations, on AM and FM
- Producing and presenting a 30 minute nightly news programme
- Reporting on location, compiling long form audio content for broadcast.
1994-1996 : Derby College, Marketing Co-ordinator
In this newly created role, I was responsible for all external facing communications, inlcuding :
- Media Relations – writing and pitching news stories for local and trade outlets, responding to incoming enquiries and interview requests
- Commissioning design and print for all external publications, including the annual college prospectus
- Commissioning and buying all advertising, including print, outdoor and broadcast
- Planning and co-ordinating external publicity events including roadshows and business networking
© 2025 Kevin Stanley
kevinstanley.blog 