bio

On the very day and year the United Nations established the International Day of Peace. So, when it comes to ultimate life goals, that happy occurrence has set the bar rather high.

I'm originally from Newcastle, but, via a four year stay in Leeds, I now live and work in London. My Geordie accent is very much a popular topic of conversation and imitation wherever I find myself. I don't know why.

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved history and reading. Books, magazines, newspapers, journals ... anything with the printed word on it. For me, that tactile experience remains inimitable, and, furthermore, strengthens the quality and uniqueness of these wonderful objects in a digital world (and yes, I do read online). 

While I have always been enthusiastic about words and stories, being a writer wasn't really at the forefront of my career aspirations. I was more interested in becoming an actor or a footballer. My parents though this foolish. I ignored them.

When I eventually got around to acting, I realised that I wasn't a natural. Giving up on that dream felt like heartbreak. As for football, well, that I was good at – still am (and note the distinct lack of modesty here) – but Ididn't get lucky with that gig. I am Indian, after all.

It really wasn’t until around late 2003, during the last year of my history degree, that I realised what I wanted to be, how I wanted to spend my life ... and what I was good at.

I was a writer. I knew my life would forevermore revolve around words, a desk, notebooks and ideas, people and solitude. And so it is, I tell stories, for fun, for poetry, for brands and publishers, as way of making sense of the world. I’ve never looked back since.

In 2005, I followed up my degree with a postgraduate diploma in journalism. The industry was already beginning to change, and it was soon becoming evident, much to my dismay, that the career I had envisaged – romantic  and, in many respects, my career has developed alongside the digitisation of the media and print industry, as well in parallel to the emergence of content marketing.

When I started off my professional career, I did so as a freelance writer, specialising in writing about arts and culture. I then began working with young people, teaching them about journalism, inspiring them to tell stories and feel empowered through words and images.

Highlights in the years following include working with local councillors on campaign material in North Tyneside – including writing material for the then mayor – shooting a short film with young people at Auschwitz, and participating in Oxfam's annual Oxjam event.

Since 2011, I have been working for agencies specialising in content, rapidly progressing from a writing and editing roles to a more strategic and leadership position.

Today I specialise in helping brands think and succeed as online publishers. This includes developing strategies, coming up with creative concepts, managing the production process, and implementing structural changes that establish and improve an organisation's editorial capabilities.

I continue to write.