Professional Background of Sarah Monaghan

Overview

15 years as journalist and magazine editor working in diverse B2B/B2C editorship and PR roles based the UK, Europe, Middle East and West Africa.
10 years as conversion copywriter and digital marketing consultant in the B2B space, working for clients in fields including healthcare and pharma, professional services, legal, finance and fintech, independent education, property law, expat property and real estate. See copywriting samples here.
Consultant marketing director for UK independent school Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School (current). Further details here.
10 years’ experience in Squarespace website design
Other languages spoken: French and Spanish (advanced proficiency).

Qualifications, awards and training

Section4 Certified Brand Strategy 2022
Section4 Certified Product Positioning 2022
Section4 Certified Storytelling 2022
Squarespace Website Design 101 and 201 2021
Copyhackers Copy School 2019: 10 x Web Copy; 10 x Landing Pages; 10 x Facebook Ads, 10 x Funnels
UK Content Awards 2019, achieved through my work for this client
CPD-certified Principles Of Health & Medical Copywriting 2019
SEO copywriting (Recipe for SEO Success, Kate Toon) 2019
StoryBrand Framework (Donald Miller) 2019
Accredited Squarespace Website Design Circle member 2019
Copy Clinic trained by Direct Response Copywriter Amy Posner (2018)
Hubspot Inbound Marketing Certification, 2016/7
Persuasive Writing for the Web, Chartered Institute of Marketing, 2015
Integrated Digital Marketing, City University London, 2015
Copywriting Apprentice, Copywriting Training Ltd, 2015
CCE Creative Writing Certificate, University of Sussex, 2008
Broadcasting Skills for Radio, Whistledown Productions, July 2009
British Guild of Travel Writers’ Trade & Tourism Award 2007
NCTJ National Diploma in Newspaper Journalism, Harlow College
Post-Grad Certificate in Periodical Journalism, London College of Printing
BA Hons Modern Languages French and Spanish, Exeter University

Journalistic background

BBC World Service Correspondent for West African Affairs. I followed and covered politics and current affairs for West Africa for BBC news. Made regular contributions to BBC Radio 4 From Our Own Correspondent, BBC World Service and BBC Radio 5.
Middle East Health Magazine: Senior Editor. Leading independent English-language medical magazine serving the EMEA region. Distributed to senior healthcare professionals, administrators and decision-makers in the healthcare industry in 12 countries in the region.
Government of Nigeria: Editorial Consultant. Editorial projects and PR for Jonathan Goodluck Presidential Campaign, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, gender equality, Nigerian women’s empowerment, British Council Nigeria, and global public health. Lead writer of Nigerian Government publication: Champion for Women, Transforming Nigeria with Women in Key Positions.
Gabon Magazine: Senior Editor working to Presidential Office of Gabon. quarterly English/French bilingual print-online business magazine for the Government of the Gabonese Republic published by Impact Media Group for Forbes Custom Magazines. Responsible for client liaison and editorial strategy. Regular travel to West Africa. Managed bilingual editorial, translation, photographic and design team. Editorial content: pan-African business; commerce and trade; women’s empowerment, economy, agri-business; telecommunications; finance; banking; oil & gas; forestry, mining and tourism.
Everything Spain Magazine: Editor. Property, culture and travel title, part of the A Place in the Sun/Channel 4-partnered magazine group, established itself as the ABC-leading monthly on Spanish travel, news and property. Launch Editor. Responsible for editorial strategy and day-to-day management. Regular travel to Spain.
Emirates Woman: Editor. Editorial management of Gulf’s leading lifestyle glossy magazine distributed across the Gulf, covering women’s issues, health, well-being, beauty, fashion, food, interiors, travel and more.
Home & Country: Deputy Editor and Health Editor. Women’s monthly title covering rural homes and decorating; food and farming; crafts and gardening. lifestyle and health.
Freelance travel editor. Travelled extensively for travel and PR commissions. Articles and photography published in UK and international websites, newspapers and magazines including BBC News, BBC Radio 4, BBC From Our Own Correspondent, The Times, The Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Lady Magazine, Geographical, National Geographic, Africa Geographic, New Statesman, Heritage Magazine, Spain Magazine and many more
Press & PR Coordinator, British Guild of Travel Writers: the UK’s premier association for media professionals who focus on travel. Conceived and launched annual BGTW Young Travel Writer Competition. Key member of organisational team for the Guild’s AGM travel to Oman and Tenerife, involving over 100 media professionals. Ran travel writing workshops as part of the Travellers' Tales Festival, Royal Geographic Society.
West Sussex Gazette: Senior Reporter and Women’s Editor.

Authorships

Lead author: Capital Markets of African and Middle East, commissioned by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), 2014
Author: The Road Less Travelled, A Biography of Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, published by Red & Scott Ltd, London, UK, 2014
Author: Eyewitness Top Ten Guide to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Dorling Kindersley and AA Dubai Spiral Guide, AA Publishing