About Me

An urbanist and writer, I have fifteen years of political and economic journalism experience and now specialise in urban policy and communications. Formerly head of the economic service for The Associated Press in Paris and Bloomberg’s chief political reporter in France, I have covered a breadth of industry sectors and political issues working across the globe. Recently, I have focusing on London and West Africa in policy and communications roles for organisations including the Centre for London think tank, the Financial Times and the Town and Country Planning Association. I have an RTPI-accredited masters in spatial planning from the Bartlett (UCL), where I specialised in regeneration with a focus on London’s East End and the Olympic Park area. You can follow some of my thoughts and actions in the planning blog on the right hand side of this page. Underneath the photo, you can click for a link to my CV (with details of how to contact me if you would like to employ me for freelance writing, research, PR or advisory work), or click on journalism for links to sample articles and information about my 2007 book on French politics 'Schizophrenie Francaise.'

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Dissertation feedback

Here is some of the feedback on my dissertation:

"This very interesting dissertation commenced with a clear introduction and a competent literature review. I felt the problem formulation was especially well presented. The logical division of the research was competent as was the study methodology. The data collection was well executed and numerous very interesting insights were offered. There was, however, room to extract more from this wealth of analysis as a base for further recommendations and conclusions. The dissertation was well written, its layout competently presented and referencing taken in line with expectations." (marker)

“Your report makes for a very good read - you have such a clear writing style. I think you would be very well suited to working in a think tank environment - at least as a first move because they place such a high value on media savvy researchers able to distil complex economic analyses into crystal clear policy messages. “ (Governmental policy advisor)

“Wonderful - what a terrific job! with your final statement.......a way to go.” (Private sector policy advisor)

I hope it gets the really good mark it deserves.” (planning professor)

Thanks for sharing this with me - an interesting read ("FDI steroids"). (top regeneration official)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

FT: Nigeria Special Report

Delighted to see publication of the FT's annual special report on Nigeria, which I travelled to Lagos as part of the Financial Times advertising team.
http://www.ft.com/reports/nigeria-2011
Last year's report, which I also worked on, is still online: http://www.ft.com/reports/nigeria
My contribution was providing the content for much of the advertising, and helping pitch for new business.