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06 May 2019

Every year the UK's creative industries contribute £92 billion to the economy. At our ‘Media and Arts Career Conference,’ students got the chance to speak to experts and gain advice on what they can do to make it in this competitive sector.

‘Inspiring the next generation’ was the theme of our ‘Media and Arts Career Conference’ which took place at the end of April.  The conference was the third in a series of specialised career conferences held at the school and was an opportunity for pupils from across the Wirral to speak to experts in fields including journalism, digital marketing, app building, and media education.  

The event was opened by Nick Pollard, former head of Sky News and Old Birkonian, who provided a fascinating look at the evolution of the media and its relevance in today’s society.  He also gave invaluable advice on how to start a career in the media and what to look out for when choosing university courses. 

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Nick Pollard, former Head of Sky News, Old Birkonian and Key Note Speaker


Alastair Machray, the editor of the Liverpool Echo, then took to the stage to offer a captivating and humorous talk titled, ‘The Media:  Are you mad enough?’ He covered the characteristics and traits you would need to thrive in the world of journalism, including a thick skin! He then continued to share his perspective on the dynamic world of local journalism and its shift towards digital content. 

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Alastair Machray - Editor of the Liverpool Echo and Key Note Speaker 


Following this, the informal segment of the evening got underway. All those attending were given the opportunity to ask advice from the array of professionals in the room, and parents commented on the fact it was ‘so good to see relevant modern media careers on show.’ Alumni Officer, Carol Keegan, added to this, commenting, “This event is one of a series of conferences that draw on the expertise of our alumni network and wider community. The network allows us to offer expert career advice to our students in specific fields, and we are looking forward to organising more events like this in the future.”
 
Honest accounts of working in radio were given by Radio City presenter and entertainer of 50 years, Pete Price, and former Liverpool Football Club player and Sky Sports presenter, Neil Mellor, who gave guidance to those students wanting to combine a love of the arts with a passion for sport. The Manchester Film School, LIPA, the Apprenticeship Hub and two Liverpool universities were also on hand to guide students into making A-level and further education choices which would suit them, whilst still enabling a fulfilling career in the media and arts sector. 

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Neil Mellor - Former Professional Football Player and Sky Sports Presenter


The organisers of the conference were thrilled to see such a large number of Old Birkonians, parents of pupils and friends of the school offering their time to inspire the media experts of the future. Those who attended reported that ‘having so many experts in one room was invaluable.’ Katherine Rutherford, Old Birkonian, commented “it was a fantastic opportunity to gain direct access to leading professionals within their fields and the event opened my eyes to the number of options available to me within the media and the arts.” 

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Pete Price - Radio City


We would like to extend our thanks to the following guests who contributed to the event:  

Nick Pollard – Old Birkonian

Former Head of Sky News/ Deputy Director of News Gathering  

CGTN

Alex Mason – Old Birkonian

Journalist

Daily Mail Online

Julian Sowerby

Managing Director

Don’t Be Shy

Samantha Levitt

Education Liaison Officer

Edge Hill University

Samantha Cook

Education Liaison Assistant

Edge Hill University

Steve Darby

Football Commentator/ Pundit

ESPN Asia

Maria Tonge

Former Reporter/ News Reader

ITV Granada

Duncan Riches

Acting Graduate

LIPA

Lucy Horisberger

Music Student

LIPA

Chris Eriksen

Hub Skills Broker

Apprenticeship Hub

Alastair Machray

Editor

Liverpool Echo

Simon Ellis- Jones

Senior Studio Producer

Liverpool FC

Melissa Grindon

Creative Project Officer

Liverpool Hope University

Stephen Davismoon

Head of Creative Campus

Liverpool Hope University

Dr Glyn Mon-Hughes

Senior Lecturer in Journalism

Liverpool John Moors University

Gareth Soens-Hughes

Film Tutor

Manchester Film School

Nick Mason – Old Birkonian

Managing Director

Mason PR

Joe McDonnell – Old Birkonian

Solutions Manager

Monterosa

Pete Price

Broadcaster, Columnist, Comic, Entertainer of 50 years

Radio City

Graham Lysaght

Director

SAE Institute UK

Neil Mellor

Football pundit and former Professional Football Player

Sky Sports LFCTV

Nicky Cross

Actress

National Theatre Production – War Horse

Richard Croombs MPhil – Old Birkonian

Independent Media Consultant

Ebeltoft Filmhojskolen