Penny Rich the Writer : CV

For more than 20 years Penny Rich was employed as a journalist, moving seamlessly from one publication to the next (invariably head-hunted), and writing freelance articles on the side. Based in London from the late 70s, she worked with top models, photographers, Editors, Art Directors and celebrities. She believes experience and creativity are vital if you are staring all over again and aim to get from bust to boom.

She was born in England but her family moved to New Zealand in 1960 and she still thinks of it as ‘home’.

2011-Current: Freelance journalist and author

A writer based in West London, specialising in ‘women’s interest’ features for magazines and newspapers. She unknowingly researched the divorce advice found in her latest book during the breakdown of her 22 year marriage.

2005-2007: Freelance Creative for Helena Rubinstein Cosmetics

A Consultant employed by top International make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, who was under contract to create Helena Rubinstein’s cosmetic colours. Role involved finalising the PR message and inspiration boards for each collection; writing media quotes and launch event speeches; creative input as colours were mixed and chosen; naming individual product shades and collections.

1996-2004: Sabbatical

Career break after 20 years: personal achievements during this time include being a wife and mother of two girls, being Mast Woman [helping communities in Hampshire and Berkshire stop mobile phone mast planning applications] and caring for her mother-in-law who had Alzheimer’s.

1991-1995: Beauty Director, Good Housekeeping magazine

Supervised a Beauty Department with 3 staff, oversaw all ideas and visuals, and wrote one main article per month. Beauty advertising doubled during this time as the editorial pages gained respect from Cosmetic company MDs, Executives and PRs. Regularly appeared on television, including 3 series of ‘Anne Robinson at the GHI’ and ITV’s ‘Breakfast Time’.

1990-1991: Freelance journalist

A series of articles published in The Guardian and The Telegraph newspapers, and many top women’s magazines, as well as writing 3 books.

1989-1990: Associate Editor, Riva magazine

Involved in creating the ‘dummy’ and finding staff for the launch of a new magazine – as Associate Editor oversaw the Fashion, Beauty and Home Editors’ contributions; organised, styled, art directed weekly covers; wrote cover stories; Riva was the first glossy, fashion and celebrity weekly magazine [20 years before Grazia], but folded due to lack of funding.

1987-1989: Beauty Editor, Options magazine

Responsible for writing 8 beauty pages a month, creating visual including covers, and organising and hosting reader’s events.

1984-1989: Creative Writer, ‘Living Extra’ section, The Observer magazine

The brief was to write and produce visuals on subjects of interest to women – including trends, lifestyle, celebrity, home, fashion and beauty.

1983-1984: Channel 4 launch, TV Times

Under contract to TV Times, specifically to help with the launch of Channel 4 Television.

July 1983: The Tube

Made it through to the final audition to replace Paula Yates and join Jools Holland presenting The Tube for Tyne Tees television. Lost out to Leslie Ash!

1979-1983: Health and Beauty Editor, Honey magazine

Honey was the ‘cool’ magazine for young women – wrote 5-6 beauty pages a month, created visuals, and had an awful lot of fun.

1974-1979: New Zealand

Trained as a journalist on EVE magazine, a glossy, women’s monthly; worked on The NZ Listener, a weekly general feature and listings magazine.