Joshua Gardner CV
Experienced professional returning to communications and the office world after a period of experimentation and exploration in the classroom.
I bring a warm, thoughtful approach to everything I do. That could be helping someone make sense of a policy document, building engaging content, or solving problems that leave others scratching their heads. I’ve got a strong background in marketing and communications, a track record of producing clear, accessible content and a reputation for being the person who gets things done.
My dyslexic brain helps me think creatively and out side the box finding fresh solutions to problems old and new. I value plain English, good design, clear instructions and a cup of tea (or gin and tonic) at the right time. I’m keen to get stuck back into meaningful work that plays to my strengths whether that’s creating, organising, explaining, or quietly keeping everything running behind the scenes.
Who or what is Joshua Gardner?
I have a wide range of interests from reading to going to the cinema. Passionate about art and drawing. Pattern but especially colour are very important to me. Living in a blue house, I'm the furthest from a beige person you're ever likely to meet!
I collect Lego, my house is full of it. I love cooking and I would say I'm one of those people who will try anything, no matter how complex. I'll give it my best shot and throw myself at it 100%. I'm committed and driven. This statement is true across the board. In the office I was always the person to see to get things done.
I’m well read and have a passion for Plain English and a hatred of abbreviations. Deeply homophonebic (I struggle with which role to eat and what roll to carry out.) Spell check and autocorrect are my best friends in work but they can sometimes lead to some unfortunate word misappropriation.
My super dyslexic brain helps me think in 3D so I can think and build things in my head without plans. Among other things, I've built wardrobes, cupboards and secret doors. It also helps me think outside the box and come up with other creative solutions.
All super heroes have a nemesis mine are Short Term Memory Man and the Vague Instructor. My short term memory is rubbish and if you give me unclear or vague instructions it fries my brain as the ambiguity is too much to handle. Give mr a little extra support and clear instructions and you’ll get the best out of me.
- World’s Best Tea Maker (Self Awarded) 2019, 2023, 2024
- I’ve been in the Diamond League in Duolingo and have a 600+ day streak.
Oh, and in case you hadn't guessed I love an ice cream!
Skills
I bring a wide range of skills and experience with me. Skills I've gained through my time in the office and also in my more eclectic recent work in school.
Communication, Brand and Engagement
- Skilled at writing for a wide range of audiences and platforms
- Advocate for Plain English and accessible communication
- Ghostwritten blogs, newsletters and magazine content
- Confident working with designers, translators and external agencies
- Experience building and maintaining intranet and websites
- Strong brand awareness and consistent representation in all communication
Teamwork, Training and Self-Motivation
- Proactive, self-motivated and able to work independently
- Collaborative team player, always willing to help others succeed
- Experience training and coaching new team members
- Positive attitude with a sense of humour and resilience under pressure
Attention to Detail and Problem-Solving
- Keen eye for detail and design
- Strong creative problem-solving skills
- Experience troubleshooting customer, workflow and technical issues
- Able to manage competing priorities with calm and focus
Technical and IT Skills
- Competent with Microsoft Office suite
- Excel proficiency (data input, formatting, basic formulas)
- Comfortable using CMS platforms, email marketing tools and intranet systems
- Basic HTML and experience building websites, digital forms and landing pages
- Experience using social media management platforms and scheduling tools
- Familiar with green screen editing, lighting setups and video content creation and editing
- Able to use a camera and take pictures for marketing and content
Customer Service and Sales Expertise
- Exemplary customer service and rapport-building
- Confident retail sales experience across multiple sectors
- Proven ability to support and advise customers across all ages and needs
- Effective communicator via phone, email, letter and face to face
- Ability to resolve complaints with empathy and tact
- Consistently strong customer feedback
Organisation, Events and Planning
- Able to juggle multiple priorities across sites and teams
- Diary and workload management across busy and shifting schedules
- Experience organising and delivering events of varying scales
- Comfortable consulting with stakeholders and managing logistics
Inclusion and Adaptability
- Understanding of neurodiversity through lived experience
- Able to adapt support for learners with additional needs
- Flexible and responsive in changing environments
- Committed to equality, inclusion and accessible practice
Work history
I have a strong background in communications with over 5 years experience. Following covid I took the opportunity to explore teaching and working in the classroom. This has been fun but not for me.
You can read more about my work experience and what I've been doing on the links below.
Communications and marketing
I had a long and varied career in communications These are the three most recent jobs.
Communications and marketing officer
Bron Afon Community Housing - November 2015 - August 2022
As part of the Communications and Marketing team, I led on a range of digital and strategic projects that boosted visibility, improved engagement and supported the wider organisational goals. I was responsible for building and maintaining the company intranet (a key internal communications tool and one of my favourite things to play with) making sure updates were clear, accessible and aligned with the organisations tone of voice and messaging. Alongside this, I maintained and regularly updated the website, proofing and editing content to a high standard and making sure that everything was accurate, up to date and on brand.
I analysed customer data and campaign performance to help me improve the work I was doing and have smarter strategies, contributing directly to improved engagement and higher conversion rates across our digital channels. My role included the creation of campaign landing pages and web forms to capture information and also spread messages to our tenants and I was heavily involved in content creation. Writing compelling copy for digital and print formats as well as press releases for local media. I would also source imagery through various websites or take my own using the camera, producing video content and ghostwriting blog posts. I also designed and delivered targeted HTML email campaigns, using click-through rate tracking to refine our approach and optimise future outreach.
Social media content and channel management formed a key part of my role and I consistently worked to engage key audiences through relevant, timely and creative content. I supported the Marketing Manager in planning and delivering successful campaigns, fact-checking and drafting copy and liaising with external designers and agencies to define artwork and production specifications. I also worked closely with Welsh translators to make sure all public-facing material was accessible in both languages.
I regularly attended marketing conferences and events to stay on top of sector trends and bring new ideas back to the team. Internally, I collaborated across departments to support teams in getting their messages out. Sometimes helping to shape internal communications or managing the roll-out of new marketing materials. I helped develop and maintain the organisation’s marketing policy and played a key role in selecting the right media channels and advertising platforms to best fit our brand and campaign objectives.
This role demanded creativity, organisation, digital fluency and a strategic mindset—qualities I brought to every project I worked on.
More than anything, I was known for being helpful, proactive and collaborative someone who could turn complex ideas into clear communications and who was always looking for ways to improve how we reached people.
Communications and marketing advisor
Bron Afon Community Housing - August 2014 - November 2015
As Communications and Marketing Advisor, I worked across a broad range of projects supporting internal and external communications. My role involved creating and curating content from writing press releases and ghostwriting blog posts, to rewriting the tenant handbook and crafting engaging copy for the staff magazine. I also helped develop and maintain the organisation’s marketing policy so that all communications aligned with strategic objectives.
As with a lot of communications jobs collaboration was key. I worked closely with designers, printers, translators and external agencies to shape content and campaigns and regularly supported internal teams to get their messages out clearly and effectively. I also liaised with Welsh translators so that messages were timely, accessible and bilingual.
I was also involved in organising and delivering large-scale public events and attended sector conferences and marketing events to stay on top of trends and bring fresh ideas back to the team. Throughout, I was a hands-on, adaptable communicator as comfortable writing a press release as I was coordinating logistics or resolving a tricky situation in person.
It was also in this role that I helped the team win the Low Budget Initiative award at the Welsh Housing Conference, thanks to a morale-boosting campaign that became a much-loved annual event throughout my time at Bron Afon. Designed to encourage teams and colleagues to recognise and thank each other for their support and hard work, the campaign centred around Valentine's Day and featured hundreds of cut-out hearts with the prompt “I love the way you...” on them. I spent hours each year preparing the hearts by hand. I was always worth the hand cramp for the positivity it sparked across the organisation. It was a small idea that made a big impact.
Communications officer/tenant liaison officer
Bron Afon Community Housing - March 2013 - August 2014
As Tenant Liaison and Marketing Officer, I worked on the front line where communications and community engagement meet. Helping deliver clear, accessible information to tenants while managing a wide range of marketing activities. I created compelling marketing content for both print and digital platforms, supported the development of marketing policy and collaborated with internal teams to communicate upcoming projects and organisational messages.
I worked closely with designers, printers, translators and external agencies to make sure all materials were accurate, timely and aligned with the organisation’s goals. I also attended sector events and conferences to stay informed and inspired, bringing insights back to inform our local strategies.
A key part of my role involved being out on site, maintaining a regular presence in the community. I met with tenants and contractors to explain processes clearly, resolve issues efficiently and keep everyone informed. I balanced a busy diary of office work and visits, often acting as the go-between to ensure smooth communication and delivery of work. Whether managing logistics or troubleshooting on the ground, I focused on providing clear, practical solutions that worked for everyone involved.
I also supported and organised large-scale public events, often acting as a connector between departments and individuals to make sure that our messaging remained consistent and accessible throughout.
Retail
Bookseller
Waterstones March 2009 - Now
Working at Waterstones has brought together my love of books, people and problem-solving. It’s a busy retail environment where every day is different and I thrive on helping customers find exactly what they’re after or better still, something they didn’t know they needed. Whether it’s recommending titles, sourcing hard-to-find books, or handling large orders, I aim to offer friendly, knowledgeable service that keeps people coming back.
As well as supporting customers, I’ve taken on a wide range of practical responsibilities. I manage stock on the shop floor, keeping displays topped up and making sure the shop always looks its best. I’m confident on tills processing transactions efficiently and accurately, including handling cash, card payments and refunds.
Visual merchandising is another key part of the role. I work with the team to create engaging displays in the shop (and in the window a place I’m rarely allowed due to being too clumsy) that reflect current campaigns, events, or seasonal trends. We regularly refresh the shop layout and I’ve enjoyed contributing ideas and helping to bring them to life. I also take part in staff meetings and team discussions to share feedback on what’s working well and where we could improve.
Customer service is at the heart of the job and I’ve developed strong multitasking skills to handle queries, questions, complaints and more queries often all at once. I stay calm under pressure, listen carefully to customers and try to find solutions that work for everyone. Whist keeping them informed throughout the process. I’ve also helped train and support new team members, offering tips to make day-to-day tasks easier and helping them feel part of the team.
I stay up to date with new releases and trends across genres, so I can make confident recommendations and I enjoy encouraging customers to explore beyond their usual tastes. I’m especially proud of the relationships I’ve built with regulars and of the feedback I’ve had from people who’ve said they felt really listened to and well looked after.
I often feel this job has transcended a job and has now become a little hobby I get paid for. I suppose it does help explain how I've managed to stay there for over 16 years!
Customer assistant
Marks and Spencer - August 2023 - Now
At Marks & Spencer, I use my strong communication and customer service skills in a fast-paced, public-facing environment. Whether supporting customers on the shop floor, handling payments and returns, or coaching new team members, I’ve developed the ability to listen carefully, explain things clearly and adapt my approach depending on who I’m speaking to all while maintaining a calm, approachable friendly presence. I ask lots of questions and always look to learn new things.
There have been lots of random highlights (like the time I went a bit viral on Facebook after a customer shared a photo of me and others chimed in to say how nice I was and how good my customer service had been). But my current favourite is how I am becoming the first man in the entire history of Marks & Spencer to be formally trained in Bra Fit. I asked on a whim, expecting a “no”, but it turned out to be a bit of a trailblazing moment. It challenged assumptions and helped open up a more inclusive service for our customers. I’m proud of it (not just because I love a side quest) but because it shows the value of stepping outside the norm and challenging expectations.
I’ve also taken a proactive role in improving store operations, including tracking stock levels, contributing to visual merchandising and finding ways to improve the customer journey. These experiences have strengthened my organisational skills, attention to detail and confidence working as part of a team all of which I know will transfer well into more structured or office-based roles where clear communication, problem-solving and collaboration matter.
Hospitality
Front of house
Geshmak - May 2023 - March 2024
Working in a busy restaurant environment helped me develop a calm, attentive approach to customer service, particularly under pressure. I was responsible for preparing the dining area, supporting the kitchen team and delivering fast, friendly service during high-volume periods all of which demanded strong time management, attention to detail and clear communication. Also the use of clear and readable handwriting (a true challenge for almost any dyslexic!)
This role also strengthened my ability to think on my feet and adapt quickly when things didn’t go to plan whether handling last-minute changes to the menu or finding solutions to keep customers happy. Behind the scenes, I worked to maintain a clean, safe and well-organised space, following hygiene protocols carefully and collaborating closely with colleagues to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
Though not a communications role in title, this job gave me real experience in building rapport with people, reading situations quickly and presenting a professional and welcoming front for the business. These are skills I carry with me into every role particularly where empathy, teamwork and clear communication make all the difference.
Education
Teaching assisitant
Prospero teaching September 2022- Now
In this role, I have worked right across the classroom with children of different ages and abilities as well as supporting children with additional needs, helping them access learning, build confidence and feel included. Much of the work was one-to-one or in small groups, which meant adapting my communication style constantly using plain simple language, visual aids, or analogies depending on who I was supporting. It taught me to explain things clearly, meet people where they are and listen properly.
I also contributed to lesson prep and planning, helping to design engaging activities and visual displays. I often worked with colleagues to adapt materials so they were accessible and appropriate, which gave me a strong understanding of inclusive design and the importance of clarity in written and visual communication.
Beyond the classroom, I took responsibility for pupil safety during breaktimes and school visits and played an active role in behaviour support. Always modelling calm, consistent behaviour and building trust over time.
Although the setting was educational, the skills I had developed working as a Communications and Marketing Officer I was able to explore and hone I the much broader scope of the classroom, clear, empathetic communication, adapting information for different audiences, planning, organisation and multitasking and supporting people in challenging situations. These strengths are transferable to a wide range of roles especially those focused on communication, customer experience, accessibility, or inclusion.
Education
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Newport School of Art Media and Design
Fine Art BA (Hons) 2:1
2006 - 2009
A Levels
Art - C, English - D, Technology - E
Duffryn High School
2004 - 2006
GCSEs
Textiles - A, Math - B, English language - B, Art - B, RE - B, Biology -B, English Literature - C, Physics - C, Chemistry - C
Duffryn High School
2003 - 2004
Let's talk
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