Robert Lloyd cv January 2010
Current position: Freelance journalist and public relations consultant. In October, 2008, I left my position as Editor of the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star to seek a new challenge.
My client list currently includes the Central Office of Information (COI) in Cardiff; the Welsh Assembly Government, Trinity University College, Carmarthen; Aberystwyth University; the Mid and West Wales Chamber; Evan-Evans Brewery; the Welsh Estates pub and hotel chain; the international light and sound firm the PAI Group; international sportswear firm Picton Sports, Llanelli; UK-wide web design and internet business Caboodle; Life Health and Fitness Clubs, Swansea; Tycroes Business Park, Ammanford; Hughes Holdings; EMC Electrical Services, Cymru Trees and Carmarthen Town AFC.
Home Address: 84 New Road, Llanelli, SA15 3DT.
Telephone, home, 01554 757600, mobile, 07777 683637
Email - Personal, robertapvincent@btinternet.com; Business, rlloydpr@btinternet.com
Website – www.rlloydpr.co.uk. Blog - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com
Experience: 31 years in the newspaper industry. Another year-plus in business as a media consultant.
Educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Carmarthen. Trained at Carmarthen Journal, completed National Certificate training for journalists through block release at the old South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education.
Previous positions held - senior reporter Carmarthen Journal, senior reporter South Wales Evening Post (SWEP), crown court correspondent SWEP, sub-editor SWEP, sports reporter (racing and boxing correspondent) SWEP, sub-editor Llanelli Star, deputy sports editor (editor Saturday Sporting ‘Green’ paper) SWEP, deputy editor Llanelli Star, Editor Llanelli Star from 1989 to October 2002, deputy editor and head of content South Wales Evening Post, October 2002 to March 20006. Editor of both the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star (two weekly paid-for titles, part of South West Wales Media, part of the Northcliffe Media, part of the Daily Mail and General Trust, DMGT) from April 2006 to October 2008.
Achievements include:
Training and experience:
Managed a team of 80 at the South Wales Evening Post. Managed team of seven during first stint at Llanelli Star. Managed teams of six and seven 25 miles apart during stint as editor of both the Carmarthen Journal and the Llanelli Star. This joint editor’s role also involved liaison with a production hub in Swansea. It was a three-centre role for the joint editor, balancing time between Carmarthen, Llanelli and Swansea.
During my periods in the editor’s chair, I was part of the board of directors/management team of South West Wales Media. I was responsible for the annual business planning for the weekly newspapers. I was also involved in the strategic decision for our stable of publications and websites. I attended weekly review and planning meetings and monthly board meetings.
I am a qualified Level 4 NVQ assessor for newspaper journalism (RSA).
I have completed all the Northcliffe Media management programmes, including Managing Change; Disciplinary Procedure; Motivating Staff and Cost Management and Budget Planning.
I am familiar with all parts of the Microsoft Office package suite.
In addition, I am familiar with Adobe, Quark Express and Intellitune packages.
My work in customising and building the Tera Good News 3 software package for SWWMedia means I am familiar with many forms of mark-up language, HTML, GNML. I am also capable of carrying out basic script work.
I run my own website and blog.
I am committed to charity work. I edit the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind and help the Llanelli Cancer Research Campaign. In October, I visited Kosovo as part of an aid mission organised by Val Newton, of Wales Romania Aid.
My other voluntary work includes being on the panel for the Carmarthen Town Sports Awards and the Carmarthen Mayor’s Fun Run organising committee.
Family: Wife Carol (who works as PA to the headteacher at Birchgrove Comprehensive School, Swansea), children Kathryn, 21 (studying physiotherapy at Cardiff University), and James, 18 (studying at Coleg Sir Gar sixth form college in Llanelli).
Other information:
Past president and member of Llanelli Rotary Club.
Vice-chairman Carmarthen Town AFC.
Editor Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind.
Patron Llanelli Scarlets rugby team.
Honorary vice-president Cor Meibion Llanelli.
Attend Greenfield Baptist Chapel.
Member of the Society of Editors.
Conversational Welsh.
I have represented SWWMedia as a spokesman on English and Welsh TV and radio channels.
During my newspaper editor days, I was a regular contributor to BBC Radio Wales (eg the Jamie and Louise Show) and Real Radio. My broadcasting experience includes production work on a documentary on the birth of the SDP political party in the UK.
I hold a full, clean driving licence. I have my own car.
In my youth, I played junior league rugby. I also competed regularly on the Welsh equestrian showjumping circuit and represented Carmarthenshire Pony Club in the Prince Philip Games tournament.
I am an experienced public speaker; a regular on the WI, MU and sports club circuit in West Wales.
I am regularly asked to host events – business breakfasts, seminars, fund-raising charity events and company launches.
My most recent stage appearance was as compere for a special concert featuring West End star John Owen Jones (Les Miserables/Phantom of the Opera).
I have a keen interest in agriculture in Wales. I was instrumental in the success of the Journal’s Buy Local campaign. The campaign included Buy Local markets staged in Carmarthen, newspaper supplements and features and organising publicity materials.
I am in good health.
I am a member of the Carmarthenshire council gyms and train three times a week at Carmarthen and Llanelli.
Hobbies: Sport, walking, reading, music.