Rachel Hargrave: Agency Director
Rachel has over 18 years of communications experience across a wide variety of clients including corporate (BP, Castrol, Honda Motor Europe, Canon UK and Canon Europe, BT, O2, Vodafone, GSK, Allergan, Linklaters, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler Chrysler, BUPA, Mars Group, Lloyds TSB), public sector (UK Trade & Investment, East Midlands Development Agency and the NHS), and third sector organisations (The Odysseus Foundation, Leicester Charity Link, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, Hathern Dog Rescue and LOROS – the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice).
Originally Rachel worked in film and video, moved into creating and producing live events (conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners and award ceremonies) before focusing on corporate communications. This varied background has equipped Rachel with key skills in strategy, implementation and campaign measurement.
Rachel founded The Phoenix Partners in 2001.
Awards Won:
Corporate Engagement Awards – Best Relationship-building sponsorship programme for Canon Europe Tuxedo programme
It’s Worth Knowing…
Rachel is often accompanied to the office by her dogs – Dyson, a 6 ½ year old liver and white Dalmatian (also known as ‘Billy’ – we don’t know why) and Zoe, a 3 year old Lurcher (also known as Madam Poo … best not to ask!). If you’re visiting us and you’d prefer them not to be around, just let us know and they’ll happily stay home and watch their all-time favourite telly, ‘Murder, She Wrote’.
Roger Bradshaw: Head of Design
Roger originally trained as a photo journalist and worked for various regional newspapers and publications before going in-house as a photographer at British Gas. There he undertook additional training and worked initially in PR before retraining as an illustrator and graphic designer some 15 years ago.
Joining The Phoenix Partners in 2006 initially as a Graphic Designer, Roger was promoted to Head of Design in 2008 and has grown our design offer to include 3D animation, illustration and a complete digital design service. He has been instrumental in developing a diverse range of brands and has created the look and feel of key identities for both UK and international clients, large and small.
Awards Won:
Gold CIPR – Northern Gas Networks (NGN) ‘Play Safe, Stay Safe’ campaign
Silver CIPR – Northern Gas Networks (NGN) ‘Advanced Warning’ leaflet; customer information
It’s Worth Knowing…
Roger is a huge food and wine fan, and is rather good in the kitchen. If you’re coming to The Phoenix Partners, put in your order for either his carrot cake or apple and cinnamon cake. Yum!
Matt Stokes: Graphic and Digital Designer
A BA (Hons) in 3D Design was just the beginning for Matt. He quickly followed up his degree with a variety of courses including an NVQ 3 in digital artwork for print, Adobe Creative Suite 3 training, an advanced course in Photoshop as well as extensive graphic and digital design experience in agencies across the East Midlands. He joined The Phoenix Partners as the newest recruit to our Design Department in 2010.
Matt brought with him a wealth of experience from across a variety of different industry sectors including housing and construction, education and Government bodies, healthcare, and food and drink. He modestly describes himself as a graphic and digital ‘all-rounder’ but is by anyone’s standards especially skilled in layout, composition, coding, typography and photography.
Awards Won:
FE Award 14 – 19 year old category, Burton College
PhotoFriday Awards; web photo competitions – two x first places
Leicester Regeneration Awards; photography competition – first place
It’s Worth Knowing…
Matt’s nickname here is ‘Coach’ as he’s a bit of a fitness freak. Be warned – he’ll have you running 10Ks, half marathons and playing badminton or – worse – circuit training before you can say … oh! … where have you gone?
Nikki Lee: PR Manager
Following a postgraduate diploma in International Public Relations, Nikki has worked consistently in marketing communications roles and public relations consultancy for a broad range of clients including the British Council, Buckinghamshire New University, Ernst & Young, IDP Education (Australia), Nelsons Solicitors and Carnell Motorcycles.
Copywriting, editing and clear yet interesting messaging are all integral parts of Nikki’s skill base, together with the versatility to adapt according to the nature of the client’s business.
As Associate Consultant to an Education Research Agency, Nikki carried out rebranding research projects on behalf of numerous HE and FE organisations, as well as co-ordinating sponsorship, event organisation and fulfilling media relations campaigns.
Awards Won:
Silver Cream Award – Broadmarsh Shopping Centre ‘No Smoking Campaign’
It’s Worth Knowing…
Nikki is a secret reviewer for a local Lincolnshire magazine. She’s reviewed restaurants, spas and family leisure/tourist attractions. Her favourite remains Stapleford Park … well, you’d be hard pushed to beat a freebie there now, wouldn’t you?
Malcolm Smith: Non-executive Advisor
Malcolm is the third member of our Management Team and works predominantly with Rachel and Fiona to ensure the successful delivery of our business plan. Malcolm gives both Rachel and Fiona a valuable external business perspective taken from his wide ranging business background which includes roles at De Montfort University, Bernard Haldane Associates, H.B.Fuller UK Ltd, Datac Adhesives Ltd, Rabone Chesterman and Bostik Ltd. Malcolm joined The Phoenix Partners in 2009 and has become an integral part of our business.
It’s Worth Knowing…
Malcolm has a very keen business nose and has worked with numerous clients on creating their business plans and then ensuring the team deliver them. If you need an outside perspective, give Malcolm a call!
Fiona Mullins: Finance Manager
Fiona is our wonderful, dedicated and very talented Finance Manager who looks after everything to do with money and the financial health of our business. Fiona joined The Phoenix Partners in 2004 and probably knows the business as well as Rachel. She sits on the Management Team and is Rachel’s ‘right-hand woman’, looking after the business when Rachel is away.
It’s Worth Knowing…
Fiona is a diehard sports fan (generally) and Tigers fan (specifically). We’ll be getting no sense out of her at all over the Olympic period – especially as she’s got tickets for show jumping and the canoe slalom! What about the rest of the Olympics? Well, Rachel is expecting Fiona’s holiday form in any time now!!
Guest Spot: Richard Pepper; Creative
We love Richard. We’re big fans and are thrilled that he has agreed to be our first guest spot filler!
Having worked in the design industry for over 25 years, Richard has been involved in most aspects of the creative process from conception to production. The overriding objective for him is to reach the heart of the story, strike the balance between accuracy and poignancy … and then to create a visual language and/or identity that captures that story along with the spirit of its author.
Prior to going freelance, Richard was the Creative Director for Maritz Communications at their London based operation. Since 1997, the majority of Richard’s work directly has involved him in the creation of strong brand identities to promote internal and external communications. Richard has contributed to a broad cross-section of industry and organisations including automotive, pharmaceutical, financial, local Government, human resource, business enterprise, IT and telecoms, and entertainment (film and music).
Awards Won:
Production Award – Design & Artwork, American Multi-Image Festival (AMI) – BMW ‘Passing the Crash Test’
Production Award – Design & Rostrum, Images Festival UK – BMW ‘Passing the Crash Test’
Outstanding Achievement Award – Design & Graphics, AMI – Volvo ‘Facing the Future’
Silver Award – Production, Images Festival UK – Astra (Opel) ‘One Generation Ahead’
It’s Worth Knowing…
A complete petrol head, Richard has been a biker all his life (as are his Dad and brother) and he has 5 bikes in total – 2 of which are ongoing projects as they currently lie stripped down on his workbench awaiting his tender ministrations. We reckon that he thinks that this way his wife doesn’t know … but the very lovely Liz is no-one’s fool. Richard, she’s soooooo onto you!
What Does It Mean To Be A Guest Spotter?
Essentially, a Guest Spotter works alongside our in-house team sharing their knowledge, experience and expertise as well as undertaking fee-paying work. They are an external pair of eyes and ears who help us to remember to look up and witness the outside world. They typically spend three months working with us but, to be honest, Richard has been involved with The Phoenix Partners since its inception … and we are happy to say that we don’t see that ending any time soon!