Soozie Campbell has amassed a wealth of experience in jobs ranging from organising international conferences to producing guide books.

But the mother of two certainly has her work cut out in her latest task as the new city centre manager for Brighton and Hove.

Ms Campbell, who takes over the reigns from Tony Mernagh, now executive director of Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, has tackled various jobs during her career.

One thing which has remained constant is her choice of seaside living.

Ms Campbell, 47, said: "I came to Brighton in the early Eighties. For a while, I was commuting down here from London, working for a company as head of marketing.

"Looking to buy somewhere, I decid-ed to move to Brighton. Back then, I was looking at a bedsit in London for the same money as a two-

bedroom flat here."

She worked for Brighton-based Retail Solutions organising conferences and exhibitions all over the world until the company had grown so much it was sold to Emap.

She then worked for Joint Interest helping to produce, among other things, Brighton and Hove guide books and developing public relations before leaving in 1995 to freelance.

She said: "I love Brighton. It's such a great, young, lively, colourful, vibrant place. It has an intimacy and richness that London doesn't have.

"And the fresh air - I used to come out of my house, look at the sea and think wow - I can't believe I live here!"

Ms Campbell's role as city centre manager overlaps with the city-wide business and regeneration project she was already working on.

The new job also includes dealing with issues such as graffiti, Christmas lights, illegal street trading, street drinking and plans for several chain restaurants in North Road.

She represents business forum members as well as putting together a marketing plan to help build membership.

Ms Campbell said: "There's so much to do and it's been a sharp learning curve. I like the big, visionary projects but then there are the day-to-day things which need to be done as well."

With husband Charles and two daughters Kitty, 16, and Matty, 12, she has a family life to juggle at their home in Old Shoreham Road.

She said: "I like meeting people and helping them, and bringing different groups of people together, like a sort of mediator.

"There are lots of people in Brighton and Hove trying to do things and they are all pulling in different directions.

"My job is to make them all see how they can communicate and work together to achieve what they all want.

"There are a lot of people with great ideas but not enough time or money to see them through.

"I think I can help by being an extra pair of hands to help.

"For instance, small businesses can join schemes which mean the credit card machines that almost all shops use now are cheaper to members."

She said if small traders pulled together they could have as much power as the bigger companies. The main thing is to help them become more efficient and that they know they can come to us for help and advice."

Ms Campbell is working with the police to try to secure funding to tackle graffiti in Western Road.

She said: "Hopefully those doing the graffiti will get fed up when they find their work wiped off as soon as it goes on."