Chris Wheal is an award-winning freelance journalist, editor, trainer and consultant, running his own business, Wheal Associates, with his wife Kate.

I am Chris Wheal, known on Twitter and elsewhere as Whealie.

I am an award-winning freelance journalist, editor, trainer and consultant – most recently 2008 British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) business journalist of the year.

Go to Wheal Associates

I run my own business, Wheal Associates, with my wife, Kate.

We write and edit for a range of publishing companies and we produce magazines for small professional membership organisations, including the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

Early starts

For nearly two years to November 2010 I wrote early morning web news for Insurance Times, Global Reinsurance and Strategic Risk between 6am and 8am every week day. I am news editor for AOL’s new website AOL Money and I am currently acting news editor (maternity cover) on insurance title Post Magazine, starting at 8am, three days a week.

I provide media training to commercial companies and train journalists and others in writing and online skills.

I chair the NUJ’s Professional Training Committee (ProfCom) and the union’s charity NUJ Extra.

Outside work

When I am not working I am a moderator of the xrv.org.uk forum for adventure motorcyclists. I ride two 1991 Honda Africa Twins (the XRV-750); one of them, for off-roading, is painted like a zebra.

I am a vice-president (VP) at Charlton Park RFC.

I am a big family man and spend a lot of time cooking meals at home and getting involved with my kids’ schools and clubs. I like vegetarian cooking, fine wine and real ale.