Joanne Horne

Stringer of sentences and human spellchecker

United Kingdom

I'm a freelance writer and editor specialising in corporate communications and occasionally straying into marketing content. We should work together if you need:

1. Someone who tells great stories; I trained as a journalist so I know how to sniff out a good one.

2. A reliable freelancer; my guilt-inducing Catholic upbringing/perfectionist streak means I won't let you down.

3. Engaging content. I'm not a corner-cutter: I take the time to understand your message, its audience and what you want to achieve - because who wants to write stuff that nobody reads? Not me (not since I stopped keeping a diary anyway).

4. A fresh pair of eyes. We don't always see the red flags in our own work - which is where I come in. Pre-empt the crisis comms and the grovelling media apology and ask me to proofread/copy edit your content; as an outsider, I'll tell you if something isn't reading right.

I enjoy working with organisations and teams that value simple, straightforward and honest communications, and particularly those designing innovative solutions to the social and environmental challenges we face. Simple doesn't mean dull: I'll work with you to find creative ways to communicate with impact and help you tell real stories of the difference you make.

LinkedIn Icon Resume Icon
Portfolio

Communications consultancy

Various channels
Impellam Group

I supported the staffing company’s corporate communications function with projects including a brand refresh and a new onboarding process, as well as regular employee communications, social media and digital content.

Various channels
OCS Group

I joined OCS on a six-month contract before being made permanent in 2019. During that time, I revamped the regional employee newsletter and launched an online community for frontline colleagues to increase engagement.

Annual reports and other publications

Bookmark reading charity
01/01/2023
2021/2022 Impact Report

I wrote the copy for the charity's 2021/2022 Impact Report, working with its marketing, fundraising and schools teams. This including drafting the Chief Executive's introduction, incorporating the required messaging, adapting internal materials for an external audience and developing a narrative that flowed throughout document.

scarlettabbott
01/12/2023
World Changers, 2020-23

I've been working with the award-winning employee engagement consultancy since 2018. I'm considered an extension of the team, and as part of that relationship, I've been helping to produce its annual industry insights report since 2020, providing proofreading and copyediting services.

OCS Group
07/07/2021
Annual Review 2020

I worked with our communications and marketing teams around the world to pull together stories showing the critical role our colleagues played in 2020. As well as sourcing and writing all content, I project managed the publication from start to finish, briefing the graphic designer and overseeing the review and sign-off process.

OCS Group
02/24/2020
Horizons

I project managed the creation and delivery of this print magazine. I worked with an agency, gathering stories and briefing the writer and designer, as well as liaising with the printer and mailing house. The magazine was published to mark the launch of our new brand and was distributed to colleagues across the world.

John Lewis Partnership
The Gazette

While employed at the partnership from 2007-17, I contributed ideas and content to its internal print and digital channels, including its long-standing weekly magazine, The Gazette. I interviewed everyone from shopfloor Partners and suppliers, to senior leaders and industry experts on topics including sustainability and cyber security.

Society of Television Lighting and Design
Set & Light

As production editor of this membership publication for TV industry experts from 2012-2019, I was responsible for the creation of the tri-annual printed magazine. My duties included page layout, sub-editing, photo editing and sending to press, liaising with the editor, contributors and the printing company.

Video storyboarding and scripting

https://youtu.be/UDr0-IhDTcg
Impellam Group
11/08/2022
ED&I website video

I was asked to produce an edited version of a recorded panel discussion I had helped to organise for Pride Month. This was part of a brand refresh, which included creating multimedia content for our new website. I storyboarded the video working with an editor.

https://youtu.be/PHMRC2S9DXk
Impellam Group
06/01/2022
Pride video for social media

I helped create this video celebrating Pride while working as a communications consultant for the staffing group. I approached members of our LGBTQ+ employee group with a brief and then storyboarded the video, working with a video editor.

https://vimeo.com/625321865
OCS Group
10/12/2021
Sustainability launch video

I storyboarded this video to promote our sustainability strategy. I wanted the video to stand out from the 'humble brags' of other corporate companies about their sustainability, and for our commitments to be relatable, honest and easily understood.

Campaign creation and delivery

Private client
03/08/2022
International Women's Day

I wrote a series of articles on topics including trans rights and neurodiversity for an International Women's Day campaign for a client, which was aimed at employees. As part of this internal communications campaign, I also produced a guide to gender equality, including key terms and answers to FAQs.

OCS Group
07/07/2021
AR 2020 launch campaign

I created a comprehensive campaign to launch our Annual Review to internal and external audiences. ‘Together we made a difference’ tells the story of our essential work during the pandemic. I drafted all content, including storyboarding this animated video, and tailoring news releases and social media for different regions.

Thought leadership, blogs and other writing

scarlettabbott
Copywriting for multiple client accounts

I provide copywriting, copy editing and proofreading for the employee engagement consultancy. I'm trusted to work on various client accounts, helping to create content including L&D materials, scripts and TOV guides.

Impellam Group
11/01/2022
Strategies for closing the STEM skills gap

I ghost-wrote this article while working as a communications consultant for the staffing company. My research included speaking to our STEM brand leaders about the challenges their clients were facing.

Planet Marketing
01/21/2022
How to tackle 21st century urbanisation

I was commissioned by the marketing company to research and write this article on the topic of urban greening on behalf of their client, Scotscape. It was aimed at architects, developers and local authorities.

OCS Group
05/13/2020
A secure world / A safe space / Preventative cleaning

I researched and wrote these three thought leadership papers in consultation with OCS service experts. They were used to advise organisations on what to expect as lockdown restrictions lifted and market our services.

Mark Allen Group
01/02/2019
Children & Young People Now magazine

I was commissioned to write articles for the specialist publication on a freelance basis from 2018-19, including this one on the work of the Drive Forward Foundation, ‘Specialist employment support for London care leavers’.