andycarter.eu ::: andy carter's corner of the web :::

About Me

Now

I am currently working as the Head of Communications at Leeds City Council.

Leeds is the second biggest metropolitan council in the country, employs over 33,000 people and has a turnover of almost £3 billion.

I joined the authority in January 2008 as the communications manager responsible for running the press office; handling all of the council's external communication activities and relationships with local, national and frequently international journalists.

I was promoted to Head of Communications at the beginning of 2009 and now lead a team of 18 with responsibility for press and media relations, internal communications, consultation and engagement issues, corporate marketing, the council's civic newspaper, brand and identity matters and the intranet and internet.

In November I won the council's overall 'Leader of the Year' award.

I'm an advisor to Leeds Metropolitan University's Business School and its public relations degree courses, I am on the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber's communications working group and I sit on the Local Government Communications (LG Comms) national executive committee.

I am member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

Before

Between 2005 and the end of 2007 I was the Group Head of News for the Local Radio Company with responsibility for editorial policy, compliance and regulatory issues as well as training and development across 27 radio stations and a total of approximately 60 staff.

My career as a broadcast journalist now amounts to over 16 years.

Over half has been in management roles, operating at News Editor level and above. My career highlights include stints working for Sky News, the BBC and Virgin Radio (as was).

What Else?

When I'm not at work, I make use of the bus driving licence I have to earn some extra pocket money.

During the summer I have been known to go scuba diving.