Lois Sparling has over 20 years of experience in publishing, working both in-house and as a freelancer running her own business. She has pursued further education, earning degrees in English Literature and Information Processing. Most recently, she worked as the Editorial Production Manager at Cicerone Press, managing teams of designers and editors. She is now looking for work in the voluntary sector and has experience in local government, business networks, and political and charity organizations. She has undertaken training in areas like project management, social media, and finance for voluntary organizations.

1. Lois Sparling
Name: Lois Katherine Sparling Address: 27 Howe Bank Close, Kendal LA9 7PU
Email: lois.sparling@gmail.com Telephone: 07971 885737
Summary
After education to post-graduate level, I have pursued a long and varied career in all aspects of print and digital
publishing, in-house, freelance and running my own business, managing clients, projects and teams, constantly
keeping pace with new developments in an industry that has changed radically over the past 20 years and
implementing change accordingly. Outside my working life I have contributed in many ways to my local
communities, in local government, business networks, political activity and other charity work. Having left the
publishing industry I am now looking for challenging and fulfilling work in the voluntary sector.
University education
1984-87: Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University MA in English Literature (2i)
1987-88: York University MSc in Information Processing and the Human Computer Interface
Recent employment
1994-98 Pre-Press Supervisor
Scholastic Publications, Leamington Spa
(scheduling work of large design department using Microsoft Project, working and training in
Quark Xpress, Photoshop and Illustrator, Acrobat Distiller and other programs, print buying and
management, managing pre-press production)
1999-2003 Editor and Designer, Emphasis Publishing Ltd, London
(co-Director, graphic design, web design and editorial work in Quark Xpress, Photoshop,
Illustrator, GoLive and other programs for wide range of commercial clients)
2003-2005 Director, Emphasis Midlands Ltd, Leamington Spa
(self-employed graphic and web designer, copywriter and editor for a wide range of commercial
clients in London and Warwickshire including the Institute for Public Policy Research, Centre for
European Reform, Labour Party, Union of Senior Revenue Officers, Christian Socialist Movement,
Warwickshire County Council and the Nuffield Trust)
2005-2008 Director, Emphasis Communications Ltd, Kendal
(as above – company name change because of relocation)
Local clients included: Cicerone Press, M&K Update, Made in Cumbria,
North West Auctions, Shaping our Lives, Age Concern, Volunteer Centre South Lakeland.
2008 to 2016 Editorial Production Manager, Cicerone Press (www.cicerone.co.uk)
Managing a team of in-house and freelance designers and editors for the production of 25-30 new
outdoor guidebooks (print, ePub, online route sales) a year and maintenance of a list of over 350 as
well as liaising with a wide range of authors to help bring their projects to fruition.
Left to find and pursue a career in the voluntary sector.
August 2016- Project Lead Officer, Selnet (Building Better Opportunities, Lancashire)
Helping run two c50-partner projects to get hard-to-reach people back into economic activity/
education/training across Lancashire - one with 16-24yr olds, one with over 50s.
Recent training
March 2016 Volunteer Management Toolkit
Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations
Introduction to Project Management
edX (online)
Strategic Social Media
NCVO Know How Non-Profit (online)
Essential Finance/Strategic Budgeting/Project Budgeting/Supervising Staff/Sustainable Finance
for Voluntary Organisations
NCVO Know How Non-Profit (online)

2. April 2016 Google Analytics
Google (online)
June 2016 Active Listening
Cumbria CVS
July 2016 Lone Working
Cumbria CVS
Emotional Intelligence with Personal and Team Resilience
Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations
Key voluntary experience
Local government: Parish Councillor, Chair of Parish Council and Convenor of the Parish Plan Steering
Group, Natland, Cumbria; Parish Councillor, Cubbington, Warwickshire; School
Governor and Chair of Finance Committee, Lillington Primary School, Warwickshire
Business: Chair of Leamington Spa Chamber of Trade, Chair, Secretary and Treasurer of local
business networking groups (Warwickshire and Cumbria)
Political: Campaign Coordinator for Westmorland & Lonsdale Labour Party (General Election
2010), Various officer roles (Cumbria, Warwickshire, London), NW Regional Rep,
Christians on the Left and Vice Chair, Christian Socialist Movement
Other: Founding Secretary of Leamington Spa Credit Union, Founding Secretary of Cubbington
Youth Club and various roles in local soup bus (Leamington Spa), cycle club, choir,
Age UK, South Lakes Carers, Manna House, St John’s Hospice, Riversiders and at
St George’s Church, Kendal
Referees
Jonathan Williams (Managing Director, Cicerone Press) 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY
jonathan@cicerone.co.uk
015395 62069
Rev Kevin Price (Clerk, Natland Parish Council) Braeside, Low Greenhills, Crook LA8 8LA
kevtherev7@hotmail.com
01539 821596