Time to talk

More than most people expect, and often differently from how agencies work.

A communications consultant helps you clarify your message, tell your story with confidence and communicate in a way that builds trust and credibility with clients, stakeholders, media and the people inside your organisation.

That can include strategic planning, media relations, brand narrative and copywriting, crisis support, training, mentoring or longer-term partnership working.

The shape of the engagement depends entirely on what you need, not on a fixed service menu.

Yes, and this is one of the most common starting points.

Many people come to an initial conversation knowing something is not quite working, but not yet having the words for what it is.

The story is not landing. The messaging feels inconsistent. Something important is not being communicated with the confidence it deserves.

That is enough to start with. Discovery and clarity are part of the process, not prerequisites for it.

Experience, temperament and genuine investment in getting it right.

With a background spanning journalism, senior police communications and strategic PR consultancy, the combination of skills on offer is unusual.

Journalism-trained instincts for what is interesting and defensible, experience of high-pressure and reputationally sensitive environments, and the kind of calm, honest counsel that only comes from having navigated difficult situations at a senior level.

Clients consistently say they feel listened to, understood and reassured, and that the advice they receive is direct and useful, not hedged or overcautious.

That is what working with a trusted advisor, rather than a supplier, tends to feel like.

Organisations and leaders who believe that how they communicate matters, and who want a trusted partner in that, not just a deliverable.

They are often growing, evolving or navigating complexity.

They value clarity, integrity and thoughtful counsel.

They want honesty, including when the answer is not what they were hoping for.

And they tend to prefer working with one experienced person who knows their context deeply, rather than a rotating team that picks up the brief each time.

Yes, because PR is not primarily about headlines.

It is about reputation, clarity and confidence. It is about being able to articulate what your organisation does and why it matters, in a way that builds trust with the people you most need to reach – whether that is a journalist, a potential client, an investor or your own team.

Many clients are founders, SMEs and organisations at growth or transition points who want to communicate more clearly and professionally. Media coverage is one outcome. It is rarely the most important one.

With a conversation. Usually, a discovery call to understand your goals, your challenges and your context, and to check honestly whether this is the right fit.

From there, a clear, structured approach is recommended without unnecessary complexity. Most clients say the process feels straightforward from the start, which is intentional.

Both. Engagements range from defined projects – strategy, website copy, media support, crisis communications, training – to a small number of ongoing retainer partnerships for clients who want consistent, trusted communications support over time.

The right structure depends on what the organisation actually needs, and that conversation happens early and openly.

With structure, purpose and as little friction as possible.

Every project begins by getting clear on what success looks like, who needs to be involved and what decisions need to be made.

From there, a simple, transparent structure is put in place – clear scoping, agreed outcomes, realistic milestones and regular communication so everyone knows what is happening, when, and why.

Where projects involve multiple specialists – designers, illustrators, videographers, web developers – those relationships can be coordinated centrally, keeping messaging, timelines and decision-making aligned without placing the burden of supplier management on the client.

Clients often say this is where the real value lies: having someone who joins the dots, asks the right questions and keeps things moving while protecting their brand, time and headspace.

Not unless you want to. Where a project involves multiple specialists, a central point of contact can be provided, ensuring everything stays aligned and the client stays focused on outcomes rather than logistics.

Yes, and this is common. Collaboration with designers, illustrators, videographers, web developers and internal communications teams is part of how most projects work.

Joined-up, respectful working, where everyone’s contribution is valued, is the default.

As involved as you want to be, and no more than that.

Some clients want close collaboration throughout. Others prefer to hand things over and trust the process.

The working style adapts to what suits you, while making sure key decisions are informed, aligned and made with confidence.

The simplest ones that work. Depending on the project, this might include shared documents, structured workshops, clear action notes and agreed timelines.

The aim is progress and clarity, not administration.

With discretion, care and absolute professionalism.

A background in senior police communications means working in high-stakes, time-critical and reputationally sensitive environments is familiar territory.

Sensitive material is handled appropriately, confidentiality is taken seriously, and, where helpful, a formal non-disclosure agreement can be put in place from the outset.

Clients trust that what is discussed stays between us. That trust is not taken lightly.

Yes. Crisis and reputation management support is available for organisations facing media scrutiny, reputational risk or high-pressure situations.

The approach is calm, ethical and practical. Focused on protecting people as well as organisations, and on communicating in a way that holds up under scrutiny.

Yes. Practical PR, media and communications training is delivered through business support programmes, universities, councils and directly for organisations and teams.

Every session is tailored to the people in the room. No generic slides, no one-size-fits-all.

Yes. Mentoring is available for founders and leaders, both through programmes including the University of Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator, Kirklees Council’s Thrive and West Yorkshire’s AD:VENTURE, and directly.

The focus is on confidence, clarity and building communications capability that lasts.

National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) qualified with more than twenty years of experience across journalism and strategic communications, including senior media relations roles at West Yorkshire Police advising at command team level.

That background of scrutiny, pressure and consequence is what distinguishes the advice and support on offer from more conventional PR consultancy.

Yes. A full member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, working to professional and ethical standards across all engagements.

Based in Honley, Holmfirth, in the heart of West Yorkshire, and working with clients in person and remotely across the UK.

Every project is different, and pricing reflects the scope, complexity and value of the work involved. Costs are discussed openly and transparently before any work begins. No surprises, no hidden fees. The first step is always a conversation.

The best answers usually come from a chat rather than a web page.

If something is not covered here, or you would simply like to talk through your situation, get in touch. There is no obligation and no pressure.