Richard Knowles Email & Phone Number

North West, England, United Kingdom

Lead the dynamic and multi-faceted marketing and communications team on all external and internal written content for Napthens Group, including sub brands AfterAthena, AfterHours and Prime Residential.My work involves creating engaging content for multiple external and internal audiences, using a wide range a channels, including social and video.Working collaboratively with the team, I help manage PR, media relations, storytelling, news generation, communications strategies, website content management, media training, digital content and social media.Main responsibilities:Manage the external PR agency, ensuring brand consistency across all comms, delivering key messages to ensure promotion and awareness of key services lines.Create and deliver internal newsletter, brochures, event booklets and regular annual reporting.Provide strategic advice to the executive board and heads of departments, on campaigns and projects to ensure the firm keeps at the forefront of media, business and consumer engagement.Ensure colleagues are provided with the right support and advice, including the digital, event and design functions within the team.Compile award nominations.Key achievements:• Delivered on new internal comms process, ensuring engagement has doubled to 80%, while decreasing time spent on providing information• Ensured all award entries are delivered on time and in line with expectations, which has produced more than 20 shortlisting in 2024• Increased engagement with news content, through delivery of concise messaging and introducing storytelling narratives to all content• Producing tender-winning brochures and document to support all service lines with client management and revenue growth

Warrington, England, United Kingdom

Head of PR looking after clients including Portman Dental Care, Aqua Park, Calathea and Readybus.We provide services including media relations, storytelling, news generation, communications strategy, content management, media training, digital PR and crisis communications.

Providing adhoc freelance support covering PR, media relations, storytelling, news generation, communications strategy, content management, media training, digital and social media.Currently working with Portman Dental Care, Aqua Park, Birtelli's, Low&Behold and Bugler Smith.For reference the areas of business I cover include:Automotive Charity Consumer products FinanceHousebuilding Investment/private equityLeisure Professional servicesRenewable energy Sponsorship managementSport TechnologyVeterinary and pet businessesTo enquire about support for you or your business, please call 07970 063 451 or drop me a message on here.

As Head of PR, Communications and External Relations at renewable energy provider, Community Windpower, I worked collaboratively with colleagues across the business, getting to the heart of the operations.This ensured the business had the best channels of communication, engagement tools, materials and guidelines to deliver a consistent and positive output that reflected the personality and values of the company.I worked with national trade bodies to support lobbying around the renewable energy industry, and acted as Community Windpower’s COP26 lead, working collaboratively with external organisations, government and internally to support the conference.Main responsibilities:Devised strategy for local, regional, national and trade PR, public affairs, crisis communications and social media activityManaged relations with trade bodies and, where relevant, support lobbying of governmentProvided stakeholder management to directors and managing director to support the coordination and delivery of complex projects, through all relevant media channelsDelivered effective strategy and management of social channels, with specific objectives and targets per channelOrganised and delivered media training for colleagues, to ensure the business benefited from all media opportunitiesManaged team responsibilities and developmentProvided a ‘press office’ function, ensuring all media opportunities are maximised Managed all company websitesKey achievements:• Managed internal and external teams from a number of organisations around £255,000 Covid-19 crisis fund; working with NHS Trusts, charities, local government and other organisations to distribute it to those in most need• Delivered significant increase on social engagement across all channels• Achieved national and regional news coverage on recent wind farm developments, including BBC and ITV• Produced and managed a video replacement of public exhibitions, in a week during Covid-19 lockdown with limited resources

Cheshire

I built the PR and Social function at brand communications agency Bugler Smith from scratch, doubling the team every two years and also supported Internal Comms, TV, Video, Digital, Experiential & Events. During my time there I worked with clients including Pets at Home, Vets4Pets, Lancashire Cricket Club, Paradigm Consulting, Stanton Fisher.Main responsibilities:Devised strategy for local, regional, national and trade PR and public affairs campaigns, focusing on delivering new business, corporate comms, brand awareness and crisis commsProvided clients with national/regional/trade PR, media communications strategy planning and social media supportOrganised and carried out regular media training for clients, to ensure maximum benefit from all media opportunitiesProvided stakeholder management for a variety of client contacts, mainly at Board level, enabling the coordination and delivery of complex projectsDelivered effective management of client and Bugler social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter LinkedIn), with specific objectives and targets per channelProvided clients with a ‘press office’ function, ensuring all media opportunities were maximised Managed team responsibilities and developmentKey achievements:Developed & managed relationships with key partners including RNLI, Visit Scotland, National Trust Scotland and Pet Blood BankDirecting integrated campaigns delivering up to 15% of new businessAudience reach in excess of 500m and cost per contact of less than 1p for campaigns including deadly dog disease Alabama Rot, dog microchipping, pet obesity and territorial aggression in local, regional and national print, broadcast and online media - including regular time on Sky News, BBC Breakfast TV, BBC radio, ITV news & Radio 4's Today programmeMedia coverage delivered record unique views on Vets4Pets website - 4m to dedicated online toolIncreased Pet Blood Bank UK’s registered donors by 400% with a multi-channel summer campaign

Frodsham

I was elected by the people of Frodsham to represent the Castle Park ward.I set up and was Chair of the Communications Committee, which updated the way the council communicated to the media and residents. This included advice on social media, press releases and handling media enquiries.The committee helped to deliver an improved suite of communications channels so the people of Frodsham are fully informed of what the Council is doing for the town and its residents.One of my main achievements was the production and distribution of a quarterly magazine, containing news about the council, general events and organisations in Frodsham and quizzes.The magazine paid for itself via advertising, therefore costing the Frodsham taxpayer nothing.

Cheshire

I freelanced for a number of personal clients included support for agencies and in-house. Clients included Liverpool FC, Bugler Smith, Porsche and racing driver Sean Huyton. Key achievements:• Supported continued growth plans for the Liverpool FC brand globally, including the 2015 new kit launch, the pre-season tour of Australia and a variety of global sponsorship deals• Provided platform for Bugler Smith to create a new PR & social division, which I subsequently headed up• Improved business for prestige car retailer in target area, from campaign of targeted media presence• Delivered new sponsors for racing car driver through media activity

RMS PR is one of the leading independent PR agencies in the UK, with a high influence in the professional services sector. I was responsible for the following sectors: professional services, finance, parking, investment.Main responsibilities:National media strategy planning for law firms Lewis Hymanson Small and Farley DwekDevised and implemented tactical plans for accountancy practice Jackson Stephen LLP Provided structured approach to supporting national awareness of parking management company, Park with EaseImplemented complex national and regional awareness strategy for Bridging Finance, Auction Finance, Blemain Finance and Lancashire Mortgage Corporation (now called Together Money)Directed planning work for international manufacturer Character WorldPlanned and implemented targeted media strategy of private equity firm WestBridge CapitalKey national and regional media contacts across a wide range of industries with excellent knowledge of the northern media including MEN, NW Business Insider, Yorkshire Post & The Business DeskKey achievements:New high profile client's cases resulting from Lewis Hymanson Small being feature in The Times’ prestigious Lawyer of the Week2014 Budget coverage on MSN Money website for Jackson Stephen, establishing credibility in market placeNew business leads for Farley Dwek through tangible media coverage Increased client portfolio in first six months by 30 per centCompleted ‘SEO Essentials’ training course, providing me with an enhanced understanding of the links that entwine SEO, digital and PR

I built the automotive PR function within the agency, primarily with the brands within Volkswagen UK. I also worked with Johnstone’s Paint, WD-40 and Persimmon Homes.Main responsibilitiesPlanned and implemented targeted media strategy of Volkswagen UK retailer network's PR programme Devised and implemented tactical plans for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK network's PR programmeImplemented complex national and regional awareness through PR, marketing and sponsorship strategy for WD-40 in the UKDirected regional and national PR requirements for Persimmon Homes, including activity to promote government schemes to increase home ownership, e.g. Help To BuyLiaised with WD-40 head office on global media activity and interaction with UK market and mediaOversaw sponsorship activation for WD-40 in British Superbikes, darts and cyclingSupervised Johnstone's Paint Trophy and Leyland Paints accounts ensuring maximum media coverage through sponsorship activationManaged PR requirements for Autogas Limited and LDV, including international showsStructured and produced videos for clients across all disciplines for use on websites and YouTubeEstablished and built close relationships with local, regional and national media Key achievements:Delivered over £750k of media coverage in first year of Team WD-40 in the British Superbike championshipGrew participation in the Volkswagen PR programme by five-fold in first 12 months of engagementAchieved local and regional press coverage with EAV in excess of £1m a year for Volkswagen UK retailer networkOver £5m combined media coverage through sport sponsorship activation for WD-40, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Johnstone’s Paint & Leyland PaintsOrganised sponsorship campaign between WD-40 and world darts, achieving coverage in excess of £1m in six months Utilised social media to showcase all client activity – putting them ahead of competitionGrew Johnstone’s Paint YouTube channel views to over 30,000 in first year

I provided PR, media relations and strategic planning support to a PR agency when it was starting a short-term contract with Volkswagen UK to provide PR and comms support to its network of dealers.After a three month trial I successfully concluded a long-term contract to provide PR and communications support to Volkswagen UK.I generated new sponsorship deals through prolonged PR/communications for a leading pro-karting driver, leading to him racing in higher levels of the sport.I formulated a communications strategy for a leading telecommunications company.I managed PR campaign and produced content for new website for leading north west golf club, which led to increase in web traffic, new members to the leisure facility and an upsurge in casual visitor numbers.

Manchester, United Kingdom

Managed local, regional and national PR/communications activity of a number of clients including law firm Dickinson Dees and hotel reservations website LateRooms.com.Managed a team of two full time colleagues, including responsibilities and personal development.

Wirral

Managed the blue chip client database and corporate client teamManaged rebrand of company including new website, along with internal and external communications strategiesLiaised with all target media and managed the PR and media planning agenciesMonitored and maintained the websiteManaged daily updates of intranet with relevant internal newsWrote and produced internal and external company literature and all other written communications including newsletters, brochures and press releasesManaged the corporate events programme – including presence at the industry’s national exhibitionsDevised and delivered the corporate communications plan for new businessPitched for new business from national and international brandsAssisted the company to grow in size, increase its client portfolio and communicate this internally and externallyDeveloped and managed the strategy of the corporate team, increasing income revenueMonitored the results from search engine optimisation campaign and pay per click cost efficiency, alongside the website management companyManaged of the corporate client team, including three direct reportsKey achievements;Developed the corporate client portfolio which now includes companies such as Asda, Netto, Britannia Hotels, Hilton Hotels and Living VenturesThe company is now one of the key players in the marketContributed to an increased company turnover of 15%Managed the successful re-brand of the organisation, including fully optimised and transactional websiteDeveloped & managed successful internal communications programme, involving staff in more activities within the company. Resulted in a more positive working environment and increased productivitySecretary/Treasurer for largest European BNI chapter

London, United Kingdom

Managed local/regional PR requirements of 50+ Renault dealerships throughout the UKEstablished and built close relationships with local, regional and national media Wrote bespoke and generic press releases and direct mail pieces Daily contact with all clients/dealersPresented coverage results to Renault UK directors on quarterly basisRepresented Suzuki motorsport brand at events across the UK and Europe through the year, including liaising with media, organising media trips, managing press conferences and producing written content for external and internal sourcesBuilt Suzuki motorsport brand within Europe and the UK

Stoke-On-Trent, United Kingdom

Managed written, video and image content on the Stoke City official website.Carried out daily interviews with players/manager/Board.Wrote articles for the free website and match day programme.Scripted, presented, produced and edited daily programmes on the Club’s subscription-based online in-house TV station ‘Stoke City World’.Wrote matchday reports for the website and fan forums.Provided a supporting role to the media manager and contributed to the success of the marketing and communications team.Liaised with internal teams, players, management, media and supporters during a time of transition when a True Supporters Membership Scheme was introduced to address violence at stadiums.Provided crisis communication support in the months before and after the introduction of the True Supporters Membership Scheme.

Lancaster And Preston

I worked freelance shifts as a news and sport journalist for Rock FM and The Bay radio stations.This included scripting news, providing news reports, preparing and reading live news and sport bulletins.

Stoke-On-Trent, United Kingdom

Co-ordinated very successful annual 'green' campaign in paper, encouraging people to become more environmentally friendly.Heavily involved in the reporting of the race riots that hit the region in the summer of 2001.Regularly worked together with national journalists to provide news stories from the local area, many after achieving front page leads in the Sentinel.

Liverpool, United Kingdom

Investigating and writing stories to be sold to regional and national media outlets.A number of stories made national newspapers, including tribunal news on hot desking, which formed part of national focus on the effects it has on individuals.

Ormskirk

Researched and wrote weekly news and sports reports.Creating news stories from press releases, providing content for weekly newspaper.Provided cover for news team, including editing and sub-editing sections of the newspaper.

Ormskirk

I worked with the existing broadcasters, supporting a variety of shows by visiting patients to talk about activity they would like to hear, writing copy and providing on-air engagement.This was a voluntary position to help support my university course and future career.

Pgdip, Broadcast Journalism, Distinction

Completed the Diploma before continuing work for regional radio stations.

Ba, Journalism, 2:1

Activities and Societies: Set-up and ran Journalism football team. Played pivotol role in securing University gaining NCTJ and BJTC.

Education record