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Lindsay Sharples, director, ICDC
The International Centre for Digital Content (ICDC) at Liverpool Digital was initially co-funded by Phil Redmond. ICDC is tasked with driving digital growth on Merseyside. Sharples runs the show and and oversees all the comms activities. Having Manchester and MediaCity just down the road poses challenging issues – and opportunities – for ICDC’s development. Based on the former Marconi site, much of her focus is now on incubation and dealing with funding (grant) issues.
Tony Ellis, comms manager, Wirral PCT
Former journalist, 21 years in the trade and rose to become assistant editor of the daily Post until in 2004 he decided to quit to join ChaMPs (the public health network for Cheshire and Merseyside) as comms manager. Having helped ChaMPs build partnerships between PCTs, local authorities, NHS hospital trusts and other public bodies, he moved on again to take up his present role.
Lindsay MacFarlaine, head of corporate communications, Lancashire County Council
After graduating in communications from Leeds University, MacFarlaine worked in media production: radio and film and in public and private sector communications. Her career has included communication projects in Belgium, Greece, France and Germany and she was also the first civilian to lead on communications for South Yorkshire Police. Prior to her current role, she managed community development and internal communications at Northamptonshire county council. Runs one of the largest comms teams in the region.
Suzanne Hughes, regional comms manager, Environment Agency
Based in Warrington from where she oversees a team of a dozen plus. Joined 2006. Previous experience was gained in London and Leeds with the NHS and at Alder hey as comms manager. With green and environmental issues mounting, the scope of her role is substantial and rapidly expanding.
Angela Roberts, director of comms, The Mersey Partnership
Roberts oversees comms, media relations, events and membership development. Her team is a dozen strong, split between press, marketing and digital. Roberts has risen through the ranks over a number of years and is now considered a mainstay in Merseyside’s media circles.
Jane Hartshorn, interim marketing manager, ReBlackpool.
Joined urban regeneration company. ReBlackpool as marketing manager in 2008. A key objective for her has been the identification and implementation of new ways to enhance the communication of the ReBlackpool messages, both to local residents and beyond. The launch of the ReBlackpool Tram in January this year is one such outcome. Previously Hartshorn was senior marketing manager for Metals UK in Lancashire.
Charlotte Billington, comms manager, NHS North West
Currently on secondment with NHS North West. Elsewhere her role is the marketing and comms manager for the Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team. Prior to LDAAT, she was campaigns manager for Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority. Has won an award in the national Communicating health awards. Prior to moving into the public sector, she was marketing manager for a division of Baxi.
David Rogers, head of comms and engagement, NHS East Lancs
Heads up a team of four working out of its Nelson base. Joined the organisation in 2006 from Hyndburn & Ribble Valley PCT where he was assistant chief executive. Previously he was in research consultancy. Began his career in journalism on local papers in Kent and Sussex. Increasingly active social marketer and also oversees Engage, the trust’s e-newsletter.
Sarah Smith, assistant director corporate comms, North West Ambulance Service
Manages a team of circa a dozen from the regional HQ in Bolton although the bulk of the team is based in Liverpool. Was promoted from her previous position as head of comms.
Martyn Spence, head of marketing, recruitment and comms, Cumbria University
Has spent past 12 years in education marketing. Leads a team of 50 plus across the North West’s newest University. Has overall responsibility for the institution’s brand, marketing, student and alumni relations and all things digital.
Maria Austin, head of comms, Warrington PCT
Appointed September 2007. Has spent over 10 years in a variety of comms and marketing roles, primarily within the NHS. Working with the media and community engagement are believed to be two of her key strengths.
Shelley Wright, head of communications, marketing and tourism, Chorley council
Heads a team of five (when fully staffed) with a broad remit encompassing marketing and comms together with the promotion of tourism and economic development initiatives. Community engagement with the local community is something her team makes great play of. The Chorley Smile campaign run in conjunction with local media has proved a substantial success this year.
Nishma Zafar, director of customer services, Macclesfield College
Zafar has spent just under 20 years working in the public sector. Began her career as a trainee accountant with Arthur Andersen but decided to change track and went into marketing. Her first job was as a marketing officer for a sixth form college from where she moved on to other colleges as a marketing manager. Now arguably one of the most senior marketers in FE in the North West, her role encompasses HR and customer services in addition to overseeing comms and marketing. Holds an MA in Marketing Management.
John Reynolds, comms and marketing manager, Allerdale borough council
Reynolds is something of a media Mr Fix-It in the Lakes cited by one pundit as the “apparent centre of numerous media initiatives up here”. A regular commentator in the local media, he is credited with the launch of a number of high profile campaigning initiatives, from shipbuilding to bowls. His team picked up a gold award for effective comms in 2005.
Derek Quinn, comms manager, Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals
Became a Foundation Trust in 2007. In common with other hospital foundations/trusts, Quinn and his team manage a hectic work load working within a modest budget. Local media relations, community engagement and various local initiatives including variety days, celeb get-togethers and fund-raising are the team’s main comms platforms. In addition to this role, he is also Morecambe FC’s press officer and can regularly be heard commenting on matters football on BBC Radio Lancashire. Joined in February this year having spent the previous five years with the Lancashire Constabulary.
Nigel Dove, marketing manager, NWDA
Is probably the most public face of the agency’s marketing and comms operations in the region. Dove works with several dozen external agencies across the North West and on a day to day basis manages the budget worth several millions. Appears to be raising his profile with more speaking and other related engagements.
Adrian Waddelove, head of comms, Cheshire county council
Former journalist and group features editor of the Chester Chronicle series, he initially joined Cheshire as a press officer. Rose steadily through the ranks to become PR executive, head of PR and ultimately his current role. His team of comms and marketing folk is almost 30 strong now.
Lindsey Harrison, marketing manager, Merseytravel
Chartered marketer with an MBA. Started in marketing with Nottingham city council offering marketing advice to SMEs. Moved to INWARD in the late 80s as head of marketing. Joined Merseytravel in 1994 as marketing manager for Mersey Ferries. Now oversees all business development and marketing and one of the region’s largest comms/marketing departments.
Stephen Baker, head of comms and marketing, Arts Council North West
Budget hard to quantify but it is understood that the North West has the largest arts council funding outside the South East. Baker runs a team of circa half a dozen covering press, marketing and digital. Although most of his budget is determined by London, where and how it is spent is down to local management and Baker’s comms delivery.
John Barbour, head of comms, GMPTE
Dealing with the congestion charge in the run-up to its defeat must have been challenging. Barbour oversees a large comms team. He joined the body in 2006 having previously headed up the corporate comms team at the Cheshire Building Society. Prior to that, he spent 14 years with BNFL where he rose through the ranks to become head of press.
Click next page for information on the background to this initiative and the criteria
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