Dan is a Marketing Executive, working with the Skills team at Business West. He helps to promote the Workforce for the Future programme, via email campaigns, social media, case studies and more. We caught up with Dan to find out more about his role and what his perfect Sunday would be.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your career background?
I was born and brought up in Taunton. I studied Politics at Keele University before working in Alumni Relations at the University of Bath for just under three years.
I returned to university and completed an MA in Sports Broadcast Journalism at Staffordshire University. This was a great experience that unlocked amazing opportunities such as a three-month internship with Eurosport in Paris.
I then worked for a sports production company in London, working on different projects including one for Tokyo 2020 and the documentary film Finding Jack Charlton.
After being made redundant during the pandemic, I briefly worked in HR at Aberystwyth University.
I joined Business West in August 2022 as a Marketing Executive and the rest is history…
What projects are you working on at the moment?
The main project I have been working on is the HR Support Service as part of Workforce for The Future. During my brief Sojourn in HR, I learned how integral HR was for the smooth running of an organisation and how tough it can be to get it right. That’s why the HR Support Service is crucial for businesses in our region because it can help SMEs improve their processes in areas such as recruitment, performance management and equality and diversity.
The other project I’ve been working on is Workforce Development Planning. This is vital for businesses to assess their current and future skills needs and to identify relevant skills support, programmes or training options.
What help can the Skills team offer businesses in the SMEs?
Our team of Business Skills Advisors provide free, tailored, in-depth support to businesses through 1-2-1 sessions and topical workshops.
The projects the Skills team work on are HR Support, Workforce Development Planning and Adult Social Care.
What is your favourite part of working in marketing?
I love the creative challenge of creating content that promotes the wonderful work of the skills team. Working in marketing gives you different skills including: copywriting, filming, editing, data analysis and designing. Because of this, each day is radically different.
I’ve also enjoyed the path I’ve taken to working in marketing. From Alumni Relations to Sports Media to HR, each job has led to this opportunity.
What’s your favourite piece of content or case study you’ve worked on so far?
That has to be the case study we did with Pieminister. This was an engaging interview about an interesting business. It was the first time I had spoken to someone about the support we had given them. After writing about how we can help businesses, it was great to hear how we have helped a business.
What’s your perfect Sunday?
My perfect Sunday includes a walk during the morning and watching football in the afternoon (particularly if Leicester play and win). But of course, a perfect Sunday has to include a plentiful amount of food!
I am currently learning Welsh. So, I will usually do my homework or some revision at some point on a Sunday.
During autumn, I enjoy watching the NFL in the evening, which rounds off the weekend nicely.
However, the big question is whether the notion of a Perfect Sunday is possible since the Last of The Summer Wine ended.
Business West is delivering Workforce for the Future in collaboration with other partners and the West of England Combined Authority.
For more information on Workforce for the Future, please visit the West of England Growth Hub. The Growth Hub is the West of England Combined Authority’s dedicated business support service which offers free, one-to-one advice and guidance for SMEs.
The West of England Workforce for the Future programme has received £4m of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
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