Background

I was born and brought up in the countryside on the West Coast of Scotland. I grew up riding horses, building dens, climbing trees and trying to avoid tidying my room! I was a real tomboy, helped by being taller than just about everyone my age until I was about 15.

After leaving St Andrews University with a degree in French and Mediaeval History, I eschewed all thoughts of a proper job and went travelling round the world on my own for 16 months, before the days of mobiles and email. A proper adventure, with now unheard of freedom.

On my return I moved to Edinburgh and then Hertfordshire in England and started my first career in corporate events, which I organised and ran for 10 years before moving to Switzerland.

Following the move I became a presenter for Mountain Radio Verbier – two years on the lunchtime show and one year as the breakfast show host, a job I totally loved and which gave me so many opportunities to do live radio, voiceovers and interviews as well as pre-recorded content.

I have been commentating on the ISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation) World Cup circuit since 2014, when I was asked to stand in with a day's notice. I commentated at the finish line of the Vertical race in Verbier and loved it. They asked me back to do the World Championships the following year and the rest, as they say, is history... For two years I have been the live streaming commentator for the World Cup circuit, working on site and from home when needed.

In 2019, in a dream come true, I became the English-speaking voice of the Africa Eco Race (formerly the Paris Dakar Rally). I spend two weeks every year travelling with the rally from Monaco to Dakar, Senegal, through Morocco and Mauritania. I translate the script from French to English, record the voiceover for the daily 12 minute recap video and present live from bivouac every evening. I love every minute of the dusty, dirty, tiring, noisy two weeks.

Since 2016, I have used my experience in presenting to coach presentation skills to private and corporate clients. I have travelled far and wide and now also teach from my purpose built studio at home. It makes me so happy to see clients go from shy and nervous to incredible speakers in a very short time. I work them hard but they seem to love it! From creating an impact to public speaking skills to effectively managing a Q&A session, it’s a brilliant job! Clients have ranged from small business owners to board level directors in large corporations.

My mother tongue is English, with a soft West of Scotland accent. I also commentate in French, in which I am fluent, due partly to my degree from the University of St Andrews and also from speaking it daily, living in the French speaking part of the canton of Valais, Switzerland.

When I am not mic in hand, I love ski mountaineering, swimming, skiing, cycling, hiking, kitesurfing, SUPing, encouraging my kids in their endeavours and I am an avid and tireless supporter of my super sporty and competitve husband. I also love to sing!

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