Meet the SoGlos team

Background

Michelle co-founded SoPublishing in 2007, returning to her home county of Gloucestershire after living in London and the Middle East. She has worked as a journalist on titles including The Guardian, The Evening Standard and Time Out Dubai during her 20-year media career, and gained a postgraduate diploma from City University’s prestigious Journalism School.

Role

Michelle heads up the Editorial Hub team, steers the editorial direction of SoGlos, oversees marketing strategy and drives the company’s ambitious growth plans. She is also currently studying for an MBA.

SoGlos career highlight

Creating the original concept for SoGlos on the back of a napkin at the top of the Burj Al Arab – it was the first small step in an exciting entrepreneurial journey.

On the weekend

As well as ferrying her three small kids to football matches and swimming lessons, Michelle has almost finished renovating a dilapidated Regency money pit in Cheltenham. She enthusiastically (and uselessly) grows veg, loves trying out new restaurants and mixes many an Aperol Spritz.

Favourite place in Gloucestershire

Pittville Park.

Loves

Wes Anderson films, interior design magazines, oat milk lattes and sushi.

Hates

Mice and noisy eaters.

Ultimate bucketlist

To visit 40 countries during her 40s...

Yes, really!

Michelle was once chased by a wild lion in South Africa.

Background

James grew up in the Forest of Dean and Gloucester, moving to study in London and Cardiff before embarking on a media career in London and Dubai. He returned to Gloucestershire in 2006 to co-found SoGlos.

Role

James oversees all business operations, focusing on SoGlos’s ongoing mission to reinvent regional media, creating sustainable growth and helping to increase its market position as Gloucestershire’s leading media brand.

SoGlos highlight

A closet nerd, James particularly loves working on tech development projects with our web agency 16i. He’s most proud of helping to develop our bespoke business platform, SoCMS – the best back-office system in regional media!

Outside of work

James can’t shut up about CrossFit, trying to beat his parkrun PB with some of the team, tackling never-ending DIY and days out with his kids.

First job

Working for his dad on a market stall at Gloucester Cattle Market. He’ll never forget those early starts flogging Super Nintendo games.

Loves

Fitness challenges, the great outdoors, Sunday roasts and epic films.

Hates

Being disorganised.

Favourite quote

We all have two lives. The second begins when we realise we only have one.

Fun fact

James’s current fitness challenge is to be able to do a handstand walk.

Cocktail of choice

Old fashioned – cool and classic.

Background

Coming soon

Role

Coming soon

SoGlos career highlight

Coming soon

On the weekend

Coming soon

Favourite place in Gloucestershire

Coming soon

Loves

Coming soon

Hates

Coming soon

Ultimate bucketlist

Coming soon

Yes, really!

Coming soon

Background

Kerinda was born in Lancashire but went to school in Gloucestershire. She studied for her degree at the University for Creative Arts in Farnham, Surrey, and has since been involved in media in Gloucestershire for 20 years – including 10 years in radio.

Role

Using her extensive experience in advertising and marketing to advise both B2B and B2C clients on how they can reach new and engaged audiences across Gloucestershire.

SoGlos career highlight

Being offered the position with SoGlos after a tumultuous 2020.

On the weekend

Spending time with her husband Stuart and their teenage daughter Scarlet, getting out and walking in the beautiful countryside with their dog Dusty. Or with her head in an interiors magazine, finding inspiration for what to paint next…

Favourite place in Gloucestershire

Nothing can beat the view from the top of May Hill.

Loves

Prosecco, Pinterest, lazy Sunday mornings, crisp autumn walks, and getting into a cold bed.

Hates

Having her hair cut. And hot beds.

Ultimate bucketlist

Kerinda would love to explore the hidden gems of Europe – and take the path least trodden.

Yes, really!

Kerinda has trypophobia. She says to Google it but don’t show her the pictures, unless you want her to be sick!

Background

Amy was born in Cheltenham and has worked in publishing for over eight years. Having gained extensive advertising experience working for local and national magazines, Amy then naturally discovered a passion for the digital marketing landscape.

Role

Amy uses her vast digital experience to advise clients on how to build marketing campaigns that help them achieve their business goals.

SoGlos career highlight

Amy says, convincing James and Michelle to give her a job as a Business Development Manager during the middle of the pandemic!

On the weekend

Amy loves exploring the Cotswold countryside and often spends her weekends hiking with her partner Andy and dog Watson. This is normally followed by a nice Sunday lunch (Amy is currently working her way through the SoGlos hot list '20 dog-friendly Cotswold pubs'!)

Favourite place in Gloucestershire

Woodchester Park.

Loves

Running, exploring, eating out and gin.

Hates

Flying cockroaches.

Ultimate bucketlist

To climb Kilimanjaro.

Yes, really!

Amy’s first home purchase was a (badly) converted Mitsubishi L3000, which she and her partner lived in for several months whilst travelling around Australia.

Joined SoGlos in:

March 2020

Role:

Chloe leads a team of incredibly skilled journalists producing Gloucestershire’s most inspiring, popular and high-quality lifestyle, community and business content. She's also the dedicated writer for a number of key partners, covering everything from her favourite annual events like Cheltenham Jazz and Literature Festivals, to working with SoGlos’s Charity of the Year.

Background:

Chloe has a BA (Hons) in Media and Communication from Birmingham City University and an MA (Distinction) in Professional Writing from Falmouth University. She worked for media giant Bauer and ran her own independent food blog before joining SoGlos.

SoGlos highlight, so far:

Chloe used to dream of being a magazine editor when she was a kid, so becoming the first non-founder to be editor of SoGlos is a dream come true.

Gloucestershire born and bred or imported?:

Born in Kent; educated in Birmingham and Cornwall; worked in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Worcester, Coventry and Nottingham before moving to Cheltenham in 2020.

Outside of the office:

Chloe is one half of Gloucestershire’s best band of 2023, Saint Senara, and award-winning independent theatre company, Moth Sanctuary Productions. If you saw ‘The Fourth Bride’ or ‘Before The Fall’ at Cheltenham Literature Festival, that’s her!

Loves:

Music, the ocean, spooky forests, ruins, tea, gothic literature, vintage clothing, aerial hoop and Pre-Raphaelite art.

Hates:

Crowds, football, running, loud noises, dishonesty, Crocs, being too cold — or too hot!

Yes, really:

Chloe played a Gloucester Cathedral choirboy in Nottingham Playhouse’s sellout production of Coram Boy in 2019.

Favourite place in Gloucestershire:

Gloucester Cathedral and the Forest of Dean.

Drink of choice:

During the day, Earl Grey. After work, a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned.

Joined SoGlos in:

February 2020 — just before the start of the pandemic!

Role:

Annabel is a senior member of the Creative Hub who deputises in leading SoGlos’s team of expert journalists, as well as producing lifestyle and business content across the brand, managing our busy display advertising calendar and leading communications for our flagship Gloucestershire Lifestyle & Community Awards.

Background:

Annabel began her career in digital media at 18, working on construction trade publications alongside studying English literature at University of Birmingham — graduating with First Class BA Hons in 2018 and an MA with Distinction in 2019.

SoGlos highlight, so far:

Going behind the scenes to cover exciting new openings, from Cheltenham’s first rooftop restaurant to tackling Europe’s tallest high ropes course at 270 Climbing.

Gloucestershire born and bred or imported?:

Born and bred just over the border in Worcestershire.

Outside of the office:

Travel is a top priority for Annabel, alongside training for long-distance runs, tackling her ever-growing TBR and being a dog mum to a feisty chihuahua-cross and goofy Romanian rescue pup. She's recently got into Reformer Pilates and can't resist lacing up her hiking boots for a stomp up the Malvern Hills.

Loves:

Pop punk and emo bands, Middle Eastern food, tiramisu and being outdoors — preferably up a mountain or by the sea!

Hates:

Button mushrooms and disorganisation.

Yes, really:

Annabel beat the notoriously low odds of being selected in the London Marathon ballot — on the first time entering! — and ran the iconic race in 2024.

Favourite place in Gloucestershire:

Stow-on-the-Wold.

Drink of choice:

Oat milk latte or a margarita – the spicier the better, with loads of salt!

Joined SoGlos in:

January 2022 – a fantastic start to a new year!

Role:

Bringing clients’ success stories to life with compelling content marketing including sizzling hot lists and engaging advertorial features, Emma also covers the latest county news as well as celebrating SoGlos Insights.

Background:

Emma’s been a journalist for more than 15 years, she’s also the author of independently published novel Wild Space and has represented clients including Facebook, Wedgwood and the Royal Horticultural Society at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

SoGlos highlight, so far:

Genuinely, joining the team in the first place. Emma loves SoGlos for its positive focus and working with such a fantastic bunch of passionate people is pure joy.

Gloucestershire born and bred or imported?:

Emma’s lived in Gloucestershire for 30 years, growing up near Tewkesbury and working in Cheltenham and Gloucester. The Cotswolds is now home sweet home.

Outside of the office:

You’ll find Emma in beauty spots, garden centres, new restaurants, hotels and pretty pubs. She’s a nature lover who adores riverside rambles and forest bathing.

Loves:

Being first to brilliant new openings, SoGlos exclusives and the SoGlos focus on success stories.

Hates:

Unkindness. Emma’s a big believer in building people up and hates seeing anyone knocked down.

Yes, really:

Emma has abseiled down Cheltenham’s Eagle Tower and occasionally gets mistaken for Carol Vorderman!

Favourite place in Gloucestershire:

Not strictly Gloucestershire, but definitely in the Cotswolds, if Emma is ever at a loose end or in need of perking herself up, a wander up and down Broadway high street always does the trick!

Drink of choice:

Black coffee to power through the day. Then, it’s hard to beat a crisp glass of Champagne on a sunny evening.

Joined SoGlos in:

February 2023

Role:

Sarah's main job is writing content for SoGlos, from expertly crafted content marketing to breaking news stories, but she's also sub editing lead and media law rep for the Creative Hub team.

Background:

With 20 years’ experience in magazine publishing, Sarah has worked across many different national titles both as a staff writer and sub editor and as a freelance journalist, too.

SoGlos highlight, so far:

Sarah says being a part of our glittering awards ceremonies is always exciting; but seeing her articles trending and being read by so many has been pretty amazing, too!

Gloucestershire born and bred or imported?:

Sarah is Berkshire born and Derbyshire bred! She's moved around a lot but landed in Gloucestershire in 2007, living in Cheltenham first, then moving away twice, finally coming back to a little village in the Bishop’s Cleeve area in 2022.

Outside of the office:

Sarah's three daughters keep her busy, but when she's not ferrying them around or taking them shopping, she loves to read with a cat on her lap, do hot yoga and spend hours in bookshops.

Loves:

Yorkshire tea, a crackling fire and a walk through the woods.

Hates:

Getting sunburnt, running out of time and waking up to her alarm.

Yes, really:

Sarah is a qualified yoga instructor and taught classes on a beach in Cyprus for two years.

Favourite place in Gloucestershire:

Beechenhurst in the Forest of Dean.

Drink of choice:

Tea with oat milk or a glass of red wine.

Joined SoGlos in:

May 2021

Role:

Alongside producing all kinds of engaging content — from punchy social media posts to compelling content marketing for partners — and covering the latest local news, Zoe is the Creative Hub's resident SEO expert, developing strategies to optimise SoGlos's online visibility. She also plays a pivotal role in managing our busy display advertising calendar.

Background:

Zoe graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a First Class honours degree in Journalism, before gaining by-lines in a number of different publications and websites including Living Edge, Cornwall Life, Dorset Mag and Hertfordshire Life.

SoGlos highlight, so far:

Zoe's biggest highlight has to be her promotion to senior staff writer, closely followed by the time she saw the world-premiere of Bake Off – The Musical at the Everyman Theatre.

Gloucestershire born and bred or imported?:

Imported from the English Riviera!

Outside of the office:

As a certified homebody, you can typically find Zoe playing video games, dancing with her cats, reading, experimenting with vegan recipes or knitting – although she's partial to going feral at gigs and does nurture her body with tennis, yoga and Pilates…

Loves:

Studio Ghibli, travelling, Christmas, cats, trinkets, murder mysteries, winter sun, strawberry cake…

Hates:

Baked beans. With a burning passion.

Yes, really:

Zoe has explored the Parisian catacombs and hopes to tackle Rome’s whenever she goes back.

Favourite place in Gloucestershire:

Westonbirt Arboretum.

Drink of choice:

Spiced rum and Coke or a spicy margarita.

Background

Coming soon.

Role

Coming soon.

SoGlos career highlight

Coming soon.

On the weekend

Coming soon.

Favourite place in Gloucestershire

Coming soon.

Loves

Coming soon.

Hates

Coming soon.

Ultimate bucketlist

Coming soon.

Yes, really!

Coming soon.

Joined SoGlos in:

October 2022

Role:

After working her way up from intern to editorial assistant, Kaleigh's loving her current role as staff writer. Whether it’s creating engaging and compelling content for our partners, putting together fun seasonal hot lists or designing eye-catching posts for our socials, Kaleigh loves to take to mouse, keyboard and Canva to tell stories in true SoGlos style.

Background:

Kaleigh achieved her BA degree in Journalism with First Class honours in 2023 and started working with and learning from the SoGlos team during her third year at uni. Since then, she's researched, curated and written two editions of the SoGlos Top 100 Businesses list and continued working towards SoPublishing’s expansion project, as the current sole writer and researcher for SoBristol.

SoGlos highlight, so far:

For Kaleigh, a highlight will always be seeing her articles trend on the site as evidence that our readers are enjoying her content — she even has a folder full of screenshots for proof to look back on!

Gloucestershire born and bred or imported?:

Forest of Dean born and bred!

Outside of the office:

You’ll find Kaleigh planning her next solo travel trip, reading the latest SoGlos book club pick, baking up treats for the office and taking care of her rescue bunny, Lola!

Loves:

Travelling, debating, baking, writing, live music and romance novels.

Hates:

Narrow minds, crisps and maths.

Yes, really:

Kaleigh once performed as part of an acapella group in front of Alicia Keys’ family!

Favourite place in Gloucestershire:

Mallards Pike at golden hour.

Drink of choice:

Spicy margs forever!

Background

James has worked as an in-house designer for a number of tour operators, including leading the design team at luxury travel specialists Abercrombie & Kent.

Role

James makes things look pretty. Not afraid of a bit of white space, he enjoys getting client's messages across through clean, clear and compelling design.

SoGlos career highlight

Developing the SoGlos Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards SGGLA brand, including a host of online and offline assets, which reached in excess of five million people in 2020.

On the weekend

Weekends are mainly family time with his sons Felix and Fox, and wife Sarah. Given the chance he'll find places to throw himself down on his mountain bike. Given a babysitter, he'll go to dinner with Sarah or listen to metal music at Two Pigs.

Favourite place in Gloucestershire

Forest of Dean downhill tracks.

Loves

Mountains, rare steak, mouldy cheese.

Hates

Trash TV, waiting, football.

Ultimate bucketlist

Tour Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia on a motorbike.

Yes, really!

James shares a birthday with Jimi Hendrix (day and month, not year).

Background

Coming soon.

Role

Coming soon.

SoGlos career highlight

Coming soon.

On the weekend

Coming soon.

Favourite place in Gloucestershire

Coming soon.

Loves

Coming soon.

Hates

Coming soon.

Ultimate bucketlist

Coming soon.

Yes, really!

Coming soon.

Joined SoGlos in:

May 2021

Role:

Tracey is in charge of the day-to-day running of the SoGlos office with a range of finance, administrative, HR and social duties. She helps James with projects and new systems, bridging the gap between the Partnerships and Creative Hub and supports the organisation of SoGlos's flagship events — the Gloucestershire Lifestyle & Community Awards and Gloucestershire Business Awards.

Background:

Tracey finished her humanities degree course and jumped straight into a career in the travel industry three days later, where she worked for 22 years until Covid hit. Her astute attention to detail, super organisation skills and ability to keep calm under pressure were all transferrable to her role at SoGlos.

SoGlos highlight, so far:

Even after all this time, a huge highlight for Tracey is being offered the position and becoming part of such an exciting and growing company after an extremely low ebb in 2020!

Gloucestershire born and bred or imported?:

Imported — Tracey was born and bred in North Yorkshire but has lived in Cheltenham for her entire adult life, so considers herself an honorary local!

Outside of the office:

Spending time with her husband taking walks in the beautiful Cotswold countryside, watching sport in particular Gloucester RFC at Kingsholm and socialising with friends whilst enjoying Cheltenham’s vibrant food and drink scene.

Loves:

Going on holiday as much as possible to exotic climes and to explore new places and cultures.

Hates:

Bad manners, people who are always late and waiting for a simple glass of wine when everyone before you at the bar has ordered cocktails!

Yes, really:

Tracey was in the stadium when the England rugby team won the World Cup in Sydney in 2003!

Favourite place in Gloucestershire:

Cleeve or Leckhampton Hill for a refreshing walk to enjoy the fab views.

Drink of choice:

A glass of a delicious, cold white wine or a dark 'n' stormy.