Background

Greg Norman is a London based journalist and producer. He freelances for both BBC News Online and Guardian Unlimited. he has achieved a Postgraduate diploma in Journalism from the University of Westminster and worked at both the Yorkshire Post in Leeds and the Yorkshire Evening Press in York.

Having graduated from the University of Surrey with a degree in French and Spanish Greg spent four year working producing events targeted at the news industry. He compiled numerous agendas comprised of panel based discussions and keynote speeches from leading news professionals, politicians, and NGOs. He worked first at News World and then freelanced. He organised media forums in London, Barcelona, Singaore, Kazakhstan and Dublin.

Latterly Greg has concentrated his efforts on journalism. He worked briefly for Ten Alps and the Daily Politics before beginning his studies at the University of Westminster.

In his spare time he enjoys sport and following the odd up and many downs of York City. He has run three marathons and is in training for a triathlon next year. he also enjoys travelling and upon graduation spent several months touring around South America, Australia and India

Curriculum Vitae

Date of birth: 21/4/77 Nationality: British

LANGUAGES
English: Mother tongue
French: Fluent
Spanish: Good working knowledge

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

BBC News Online March 2005 - Newsgathering

Work shifts as a freelance for the newsgathering team on the BBC news website. Required to commission and chase up stories from BBC reporters and stringers in the UK and abroad.

Worked full time on newsgathering’s Election 2005 output from the election bus. Researched a series of stories analysing the issues affecting normal voters. Travelled on the road with Marcus George and Jill McGivering helping to generate content from the bus’ locations and file back for the site. Updated the website blog throughout the night on May 5 th.

Guardianunlimited, London, Sep 2004, politics night-editor. responsible for subbing news stories from the paper and designing the front for the dedicated politics site.

Daily Politics, Bournemouth, Sep 2004, assistant floor manager. Assited the production team on the live BBC coverage of the Liberal Democrats annual conference.

BBC Scotland/Ten Alps Productions, Jan-Apr 2004, assistant floor manager. Assited with the live BBC coverage of the Scotland spring part conferences.

Banff Television Foundation, London, May - Dec 2003
Assistant Editorial Director- News World
· The Banff Television Foundation organises a variety of targeted media conferences worldwide attracting renowned speakers and attendees.

· I was responsible for the editorial content of News World 2003, an annual media event held in Dublin, which brings together several hundred leading news industry professionals.

· Researched and put together an agenda of debates and presentations that suitably reflected current industry trends and concerns, including the media coverage of the War in Iraq.

· Identified and recruited high profile speakers for each discussion such as Michael Portillo, Bryan Whitman of the Pentagon, and prominent news executives from leading UK, European and International broadcast networks.
· Led the research team, chairing advisory meetings, preparing debate backgrounds and running orders.

· Wrote press releases and promotional marketing material.
· Liased with the venue and technical staff prior to the event set-up.
· Identified suitable video clips and other visual materials for the sessions.
· Scheduled satellite feeds throughout the event.
· Produced on site in Dublin ensuring the event ran to time, directing moderators via talkback to keep the sessions relevant and punctual.

Eurasian Media Forum, Almaty/London Jan-May 2003
Freelance Event Producer

· The Eurasian Media Forum is an annual International media conference aimed at fostering dialogue between East and West journalistic communities.
· Worked with the organisers in Kazakhstan drawing up the programme and discussion topics.
· Used knowledge of Western media and political landscape to recommend and recruit high calibre participants.
· Assisted on site in Almaty helping organisers to produce the sessions and used conference expertise to ensure the event ran to a tight schedule.

Stefi UK, London Mar-Dec 2002
Conference Programme Manager

· Played key role in establishment of the UK branch office of a leading Greek production company.
· Responsible principally for editorial content of an inaugural sports broadcasting conference in Athens.
· Researched pertinent topics and organisations in order to establish new contact within the European sport broadcast industry.

Chaired advisory meetings comprised of industry professionals.
· Wrote text for brochures, press releases and copy for the website.

News World International Limited, London Jan 2000-Mar 02
Programme Director

· News World organised various events and exhibitions for the broadcast news industry in Barcelona, Singapore and London attracting contributors including Kofi Annan.

· Worked for two years in a variety of roles beginning as Project Assistant and latterly as Programme Director.

· Re-wrote the agenda for the 2001 News World conference being held six weeks after the events in New York on 9/11 to reflect new industry concerns.
· Directed the running of the sessions on site in Barcelona, to ensure the event ran to a tight schedule permitting simultaneous sessions to dovetail together.

· Was required to manage a technical two-day conference in London
· Utilised language skills to recruit non-English speaking participants.

International Hotel Association, Paris Jan-July 98
Research Assistant
· Formed part of the programme development team responsible for administrative management of scholarship scheme and the young hotelier award.

L'Etape Verte Holiday Village, Brigueil le Chantre, France June-Aug 97
Family Entertainment Organiser
· Organised activities such as tennis lessons and football matches.

EDUCATION

2004: University of Westmister, PG Dip Periodical journalism

1995-1999 University of Surrey
BSc (Hons) French and European Studies with Spanish (2:ii)
Included a 10,000 word dissertation in French on the fragmentation of the French Political right

Feb-Jun 97 Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
Translation and interpretation

1990 - 95 St Peter's School, York
4 A-Levels:
History (Grade A), French (B), English Literature (C), General Studies (B)
10 GCSE's (4As, 6Bs)

SKILLS & INTERESTS
· PC proficient in a variety of Windows applications, BBC CPS, ENPS, Quark, Dreamweaver and Photoshop.
· Shorthand 90wpm
· Keen footballer, member of local league team. Supporter of York City FC.
· Running, completed the Chicago 2000, LA 2002 and Stockholm 2003 marathons.
· Swimming and cycling. Playing squash and tennis.
· Enjoy going to the cinema and playing chess.
· Travelling - following graduation I spent four months travelling and visited South America, Australia, Hong Kong and India.

References available upon request

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