Careers: Staff profiles Editorial & Research

Thoughts from members of the Which? Research and Which? Editorial Team

Alice Judd, Researcher, Which? Research

Alice joined us in 2006 from a small charity and lobbying group. She was very pleased to join Which? as she saw it as an organisation that had no personal agenda – just a real desire to help people. How has the last year been?

“I joined as a Research Assistant and what really struck me was the endless variety. I was tackling everything from supermarkets to cinemas, champagne to removal firms – and my career has continued in a similar vein now I'm responsible for my own projects. Magazine products tend to have a long lead time, so I normally have a few articles on the go. I've researched online food shopping (which meant eating a lot of food!) but I’m also working on articles on tradespeople and house buying.

“I’m getting to grips with writing articles and it’s really rewarding seeing your efforts in print. But I’m the first to admit I’ve still got a lot to learn. Fortunately, there are loads of opportunities for training and everyone is so friendly and helpful – you're never stuck for long as there is always support available.”

Melanie Dowding, Online Managing Editor, Which Editorial

A former news editor of a regional daily newspaper, Melanie was attracted to Which? because it offered the chance to make a personal difference and achieve something in a credible and respected organisation. But is it very different from the world of regional journalism? 

“Just a bit! It’s a very different environment here. In local press everything is done at breakneck speed, and while everyone here works just as hard, the level of detailed planning and thought which goes into Which? research is a real contrast. 

"There are traditional battlegrounds in newspapers between some departments but at Which? everyone is working towards a common goal and the collaborative spirit is very strong. 

"All processes are consultative and everyone's opinions listened to and respected. 

“I’m now in my second role covering maternity leave. It was a challenge moving from press journalism to online publications, but my manager has had confidence in me and given me every support, which I’ve really appreciated. The technical training has brought me up to speed and I’m really enjoying my role managing a team of Assistant Web Editors, looking after content and improving the site.”