| Andrew Noakes - Curriculum Vitae |
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An award-winning automotive journalist, magazine editor, and journalism lecturer, author of more than a dozen motoring books and a freelance contributor to many motoring publications. Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational abilities, team leadership and editorial management experience. Strong automotive technical knowledge, and self-taught web design and programming skills.
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| Date of birth | 24 January 1970 |
| Nationality | British |
| Marital status | Living with partner |
| Location | Shropshire, UK |
| Affiliations | Member of the Guild of Motoring Writers Member of the Society of Authors Member of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers |
| Driving licences | Full UK licence since 1987 MSA Non-Race National B competition licence |
| Nearest motorway | M5 junction 4a/M42 junction 1, M54 junction 6 |
| Nearest rail station | Ludlow |
| Nearest airport | Birmingham International |
Key Skills
- Automotive journalist and editor with more than 15 years experience and proven ability to produce successful, creative magazines on time and within budget; extensive knowledge of magazine production including InDesign and QuarkXPress page layout, flat-planning, cover design and PDF workflows
- Experienced technical writer and sub-editor with the ability to report engineering topics readably; experience in editing technical text to improve clarity and readability; many published articles and numerous books about cars and vehicle engineering
- Award-winning photographer with extensive Nikon Digital and 35mm equipment; thousands of published pictures and considerable experience of art directing on location, working with professional photographers
- Project manager with experience of recruiting, training and managing successful teams, setting up systems and developing effective partnerships internally and externally
- Web designer/programmer with experience of content management systems, HTML coding, Perl and PHP scripting
Career History
- 2006-present: Senior Lecturer in Automotive Journalism, Coventry University; Joint Acting Course Director of journalism joint degrees, summer 2008
- 2002-present: Freelance motoring writer; clients include Bauer, Haymarket, Future, Dennis, Haynes, Highbury, KM Group, The Crowood Press, Specialist UK, Aston Publishing, Parragon Publishing. Writing and computer skills courses for Kent Adult Education Service in 2002/3
- 2000-02: Editor in Chief, Classics and It’s on the Net; overall editorial responsibility, including launch of IOTN and management of two editorial teams, budget c.£100k per annum; consultant on the launch of Fast Car – The Guide and Fast Bikes
- 1997-2000: Editor, Classics; relaunched Retro as Classics in 1997; responsible for an editorial team of three
- 1996-97: Editor, Retro; responsible for an editorial team of three
- 1996: Deputy Editor, Fast Car magazine; responsible for commissioning features and managing magazine production
- 1995-96: Technical Editor, Fast Car magazine; responsible for technical features
- 1994-95: Staff Writer, Fast Car magazine
- 1992-94: Freelance motoring writer, contributing to Car Mechanics, 4x4, Practical Motorist, Car Design & Technology, Active Life
- 1989-91: Industrial training with Ford Motor Company
Education & Training
- 2006-present: Studying for Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Professional Practice (Centre for the Study of Higher Education, Coventry University)
- 2002: Time & Process Management course (Communication Skills Europe)
- 1996: Editorial Management course (PMA Training)
- 1991: Donington Super Trial (Jim Russell Racing School)
- 1990: Outdoor Development course (Impact Training)
- 1988-92: University of Technology, Loughborough; B.Eng Automotive Engineering, Diploma in Industrial Studies; sponsored by Ford Motor Company
- 1983-88: Haybridge High School, Hagley, West Midlands; five A-levels (two Grade A), nine O-levels (six Grade A), one CSE
- 1983: Hagley Middle School, Hagley, West Midlands; ESB Spoken English, Senior Grade One (Credit)
Awards
- 2007: Winner, Guild of Motoring Writers Timo Makinen Trophy for the book Ford Cosworth DFV: The Inside Story of F1's Greatest Engine
- 1999: Runner up, Kent Natural History Photographer of the Year
Interests
- Cars: History, engineering, motor sport etc; service/repair own cars; competing in hillclimbs and sprints for the MG Car Club Speed Championship in 2006
- Vintage watches: Collector of vintage mechanical wristwatches
- Food & drink: Keen amateur cook and interest in fine wines and malt whisky
- Entertainment: Blues-influenced music and classic radio/TV comedy
- Sports: Follow cricket, rugby union and motor racing
