08/04/2022
If I can be of assistance with any of your marketing and PR requirements, please contact me via:
Sarah O'Reilly
[email protected]
My Background -
I have 25 years experience in PR, Marketing, Events Management and Business Development.
In the past ten years I have concentrated my efforts on advancing the growth of my husband's carpentry company, learning about construction, property development and now property management of 80 apartments and 40 houses.
Contributing to the success of a personal enterprise has been a rewarding experience (and helpful during a period where flexible hours have been advantageous until my children reached full time education), however it has always been my intention to return to my career in media.
Now that I have established an in house team to support the day to day running and continued growth of M&A Carpentry, and childcare is no longer a contributing factor, my sights are set on collaborating with clients/businesses for whom my communication and level headed interpersonal skills will be a boon/asset. I’m also very interested in voluntary work and assist with The Saints Foundation and Hampshire Cricket in the Comminity.
Experience
Director
M&A CARPENTRY SOUTHERN LTD
July 2009 - Present
Responsible for:
Rebranding/promotion/events
Streamlining business and reducing overheads
Implementing ongoing back office support
Develop in house team to maintain and gain business
Establish job pricing and payment T&C and H&S protocol
Developed strategies for improved sub-contractor/client management
Ad Hoc Volunteer
FOR LIFE EXPERIENCES LTD
August 2010 - August 2014
Responsible for:
Introducing a Social Enterprise to renowned partners: SCC, HCC, The Saints Foundation.
Secure funding for disadvantaged groups to take part in FLE activities
Achieving high targets to ensure future funding/community participation
Publicity via traditional/social media/Wordpress/mail chimp/google analytics
Communications & Business Development Manager
IDS HEALTHCARE MARKETING
Global Healthcare Information Service
2007 - July 2009 (2 years 7 months)
Responsible for:
Corporate identity
Rebranding all marketing materials
Producing DVD in collaberation with BBC South Reporter Freddie Rostand
Weekly e-bulletins/press releases
Developing Help2Health [Pharmacy Health Information Service] with CEO, National Pharmacy Association, Michael Holden
Developing Word of Mouth [Oral Health Information Service] with CEO, British Dental Health Foundation, Nigel Carter OBE
Developing Leaflets2U [PCT website used by 25,000+ professionals]
Press Liason to Dr John Beer OBE
SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL
March 2003 - December 2006
(3 years 10 months)
Responsible for:
Delivering 100 press releases per year and monthly PR campaigns to create a safer, healthier Southampton
Media training councillors and senior officers
Emergency planning for major incidents
Creating Safer Southampton steering group [Chief Superintendent Greening, Daily Echo Editor, Dave King and BBC Solent Head of News, Nicola Murray] promoting work tackling anti-social behaviour, hate crime, homophobia, racism, asylum, domestic violence, arson, alcohol & substance misuse, teen pregnancy, su***de, travelling community, foster care, adoption, ederly care
Press Liaison to Dr John Astbury CBE
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY
January 2002 - March 2003
(1 year 3 months)
Responsible for:
Delivering PR campaigns to create greater sea safety
Responding to national/international media enquiries and bi-weekly duty out of hours
Providing media training
Multi-agency emergency exercises
Campaign managing a world first Wreck Amnesty
Freelance Writer hired by and reporting directy to Dame Anita Roddick OBE
January 2001 - January 2002
Anita and I met while I was working for TV Presenter, Annabelle Croft as her Researcher on the ATP World Tour. Our chance meeting led to an exciting year-long collaboration that resulted in six scripts acquired by Discovery Channel. Anita was an incredible mentor and influenced me to follow my dream of pairing my communications skills with helping the disadvantaged.
Education
University of Bournemouth - MA TV & Video Production [2008 to 2009]
UWE Bristol - BA Hons Science, Society & Media [2005 to 2008]
References
Graham Mabey - Director For Life Experiences [email protected]
John Beer OBE - Director John Beer Management Consultancy
[email protected]
Testimonials
Graham Mabey, Director For Life Experiences:
“I’ve had the pleasure of having Sarah volunteer for my Social Enterprise, For Life Experiences, for 4 years. In that time Sarah has developed key partnerships and helped FLE to grow and reach new audiences. Her friendly, professional and dedicated manner has allowed me to have complete trust and faith in the work Sarah does and FLE still work in partnership with organisations which Sarah has been instrumental in finding. Sarah has also taken on the role of promoting FLE, both via social media and through more formal routes and has done a wonderful job. We can't thank Sarah enough for her energy, enthusiasm and excellent work. FLE wouldn't be where it is today without her help. Thank you Sarah from everyone at FLE.”
Brian Good, IDS Vice President:
"I find Sarah to be incredibly organised and detail conscious with a great understanding both of IDS business, but also of best practice. She has developed excellent client relationships built on mutual respect within the UK and has therefore been able to get fast responses when implementing new business for the company. Sarah is a very positive person to work with, always prepared to wade in and find a solution. I would not hesitate to recommend her.”
Cath Davies, Evolve Marketing:
“Sarah is a highly focused, motivated individual who puts every effort into achieving the targets set. She is also a highly skilled communicator with a natural flair and talent for Public Relations, press releases & written communications.”
Freddie Rostand, BBC South:
“Sarah is without doubt a consummate professional. Focused, dynamic with great attention to detail.”
Dr John Beer OBE, Director SCC:
“Sarah, I had a very high regard for your skills as my PR lead for Southampton Social Services. I could always rely on you for innovative advice and to deliver on time. You were always calm and helpful particularly with the very stressful issues we had to manage. I wished to create a positive image for my Department when there was so much negative press about Social Services. You outstandingly helped me to achieve that by hitting my target of 100 positive media articles a year. The work you did to achieve this was of the highest order and I was very sad when you decided to move on.”
Dave King, Lecturer in Journalism:
“I worked with Sarah when she was press liaison at Southampton City Council, and while I was Deputy Editor of the Southern Daily Echo. There are many press officers working for local authorities and public bodies, but few are really good or have any understanding about the relationship with the local media. Sarah certainly understood the value of good relationship with the media, not just the Daily Echo, but with broadcast too. We worked together on a number of community projects which helped to develop the profile of Southampton. But equally, when there were difficult questions to be asked around tough issues, Sarah did not shirk in her responsibility and faced up to the questions by seeking out answers from the responsible officers. Sarah is a very good communicator - an excellent listener - but, above all, she understands media and partnerships. It was a pleasure to work with Sarah.”
Dr John Astbury CBE, CEO Maritime & Coastguard Agency:
“Sarah has made an extremely valuable and highly professional contribution to the Agency and her work in dealing not only with day-to-day high pressure media situations but also in several major incidents is particularly noteworthy. She has a very good sense of humour and is a committed team player who can always be relied upon to give her best.”
