Why work with us?

Quite simply because we’re good at what
we do.

With a huge network of media contacts within hospitality and leisure, to say that we’re ‘well connected’ is a pretty big understatement! ‘It isn’t what you know but who you know’ as the saying goes, but we’d argue that having a strong foundation of knowledge is just as important as having a ‘grade A’ list of contacts. The fact that we bring both of those together is one of our greatest strengths.

We have a breadth of social media experience within the team and work closely with our clients to incorporate social media in to their communications and maximise on real-time opportunities. That said, we haven’t forgotten how influential print and broadcast can be and make sure we implement the right balance tailored specifically to each client.

Last but by no means least, we’re results driven. We ensure that we work closely with our clients in order to develop and agree key objectives and always aim to exceed expectation. We like to be seen as an extension of our clients’ team. We don’t baffle with marketing jargon, no false promises, just honest recommendations designed to generate the right results.

MEET OUR TEAM

Mark Stretton

Managing Director
A Fleet Street-trained journalist, Mark spent three years at The Sunday Times. After that, he became managing editor of The Publican, then editor of M&C Report. Mark has a complete understanding of the leisure sector, a Grade A contacts book and an intimate knowledge of how the relationship between companies and the media should work. In his spare time, Mark is kept active by his two young sons and by playing regular 7 a side football. Mark is also a big Pompey fan, through thick and thin, though it is thinner and thinner these days.

Favourite drink: Currently, a pint of Upham’s Citra
Favourite pub: Turk’s Head, Twickenham – the best pub in the world

Steve Dann

Client Services Director
After training as a journalist, Steve became managing director at Seal Communications, he later led a management buy-out of the business, developing it into one of the UK’s leading integrated PR and marketing firms. Steve has developed a number of high profile and award winning campaigns and has been known to win the odd award of his own from time to time. He is an ardent Birmingham City fan and enjoyed one of the best days of his life in February 2011 when he watched his team lift the League Cup at Wembley.

Favourite drink: Holden’s Bitter
Favourite pub: The Punch Bowl, Lapworth

Francis Patton

Trade & Insights Director
Francis is a pub and brewing industry ‘veteran’. Having served on the board of Punch Taverns as both customer services director and commercial director, Francis has an intimate understanding of the strategic industry issues, as well as significant public affairs, city and national media experience. He now serves as a serial non-executive director and consultant to a range of companies and organisations including Punch Taverns, the BII, the ALMR, the BBPA, Cask Marque and SIBA.

Favourite drink: Tetley’s or Black Sheep
Favourite pub: The Battlesteads

Arti Halai

Arti Halai

Director
As a TV presenter, reporter and producer, Arti has worked in both radio and television for some of the country’s largest organisations including ITV1 Central where she was known as the face of Central News. Through her work she has gained a broad and deep understanding of behaviour, communication and the most effective way to get a message across. Her first book ‘Positivity’ was published in 2009.

Favourite drink: Kir Royale
Favourite restaurant: Too many choices!!

Tess Pennington

Director
With over a decade of experience in the food and drink industry and having devised and implemented campaigns for global brands, government bodies and smaller artisan producers, Tess has a good flavour of how to meet all types of clients’ needs. Tess brings experience in consumer food, drink and lifestyle PR to the table, as well as a history in coordinating many trade events. She also has an impressive little black book of media and key influencers in the hospitality industry.

Favourite drink: Gin Martini
Favourite restaurant: There are so many to choose from but you can’t beat a classic like Le Gavroche

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams

Associate Director
Michelle started out as a journalist in Devon before moving into the world of drinks PR. She has developed and implemented campaigns for some of the world’s biggest drinks brands including Courvoisier, Chivas Regal, Jameson, Sauza and Brown Brothers. Happiest soaking up the atmosphere of London’s vibrant bar scene, Michelle is our resident bar expert and the quickest way to her heart is the classic Manhattan cocktail!

Favourite drink: Old Fashioned cocktail or Little Creatures Pale Ale
Favourite restaurant: The Garrison, Bermondsey Street

Petrina Day

Financial Controller
Petrina has worked in finance for over 20 years having started her early career in financial PR whilst also studying for her ACCA qualification. After seeing through the sale of Penrose Financial to The Engine Group in 2010, she has stuck to her roots and worked for a number of SME’s across other sectors including retail, consumer PR and food & drink. Petrina is an avid Crossfit fan and can be regularly seen throwing weights around in her local box.

Favourite drink: A nice cold Sauvignon Blanc
Favourite place to drink: Church Street Tavern, Colchester

Mike Berry

Head of Content
Mike has spent most of his career in B2B journalism, working in a variety of sectors. Before joining Fleet Street, he spent almost five years at the Morning Advertiser, the leading publication for the pub trade, as Managing Editor. During that time he worked with a number of blue-chip companies on multi-channel content projects designed to boost brand awareness among the MA's readership of publicans. Mike is a devoted armchair sports fan, occasionally spotted on the pitch, but now mostly on the touchline at weekends watching his two sons playing football.

Favourite beer: Dark Star Hophead
Favourite pub: The Anchor Tap, Horsham

Kara Laffar

Account Director
A University of Portsmouth graduate with a degree in English and Media, Kara brings seven years' experience in trade and corporate drinks PR. She has worked to develop and execute compelling UK and international campaigns for some of the world's most iconic brands, including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Sailor Jerry and Hendrick’s Gin. A keen trend spotter, Kara likes to check out every watering hole and eatery she reads about, so can usually be found exploring new openings in and around London.

Favourite drink: Old Fashioned
Favourite cocktail bar: London Cocktail Club

Geoffrey Campion

Geoffrey Campion

Account Director
After graduating with a degree in Journalism and PR, Geoff followed in his family’s footsteps and entered the world of food and drink as a PR professional. He first dipped his toe at William Murray and found an immediate affinity with the fast paced hospitality industry. After cutting his teeth on consumer and B2B accounts in the coffee and foodservice sectors, he’s relished the move to Fleet Street and new challenges. When not in the office, Geoff can be found eating and drinking his way across London, experimenting in the kitchen or playing rugby.

Favourite drink: Pint of Bathams or a Negroni, depending on time of evening. Also, a big fan of sour beer at the moment
Favourite place to eat: The one I’m eating at next (wherever that may be)

Laura Cunningham

Laura Cunningham

Senior Account Manager
A born and bred Londoner, Laura brings a wealth of experience across both trade and consumer PR. After graduating from University of Leeds with a degree in Communications she has worked on a host of well-known and global brands such as Diageo, Unilever, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, Aldi and Camden Town Brewery. Laura is a keen explorer of food and drink experiences, which she avidly documents on Instagram.

Favourite drink: Classic G&T
Favourite place to eat: The Pineapple in Kentish Town

Chloe Walden

Chloe Walden

Senior Account Executive
Chloe has always had a passion for food (both cooking and eating) and an appetite for learning as much as possible about the latest food trends, so after starting her PR career as an apprentice in Suffolk, uprooting to London and specialising in food & drink PR was a very obvious next step. Chloe brings great consumer experience to the team, as well as a growing list of strong media contacts. Always on the lookout for the next social buzz, she can be found sniffing around the latest restaurant openings and pop-ups across London.

Favourite drink: Port & Tonic
Favourite place to eat: La Porchetta, Muswell Hill

Sheniz Onen

Sheniz Onen

Senior Account Executive
After graduating with a degree in Marketing and Multimedia, Shen's passion for comms led her to a career in PR. She brings an equal measure of trade and consumer, lifestyle and drinks PR experience to the table and has played part in launching successful campaigns on both large and small scales. She also has a keen eye for the latest drinks trends and is happiest when exploring London’s restaurants and bars.

Favourite drink: Whisky sour
Favourite place to drink: Too many to choose from!

Kate Dillon

Senior Account Executive
Kate joined FSC with experience on high profile consumer clients, and has since built up expertise in both consumer and trade PR. With a keen interest in social, digital and influencer communications, Kate is our go to for finding out who and where is current and on-trend. She also has also built strong relationships with trade and consumer journalists.

Favourite drink: I know it's boring, but I just love a G&T
Favourite place to drink: The White Cross in Richmond

Will Dann

Will Dann

Account Executive
After completing his PRCA apprenticeship, Will was quickly promoted to Junior Account Executive. Through his apprenticeship he picked valuable skills and knowledge which has allowed him to get his teeth stuck into both B2B and B2C accounts and is relishing in the new challenges that he’s faced with every day. When not working, Will spends his time following Birmingham City home and away.

Favourite drink: Pint of cold lager
Favourite place to drink: The Farm Inn, Solihull

Join the team

We’re always keen to hear from great PRs so please do get in touch. If we don’t have an immediate vacancy we’ll always keep information on file for future roles. We’re also happy to hear from anyone looking for an internship/work experience. Do get in touch. Email Tess Pennington on tess@fsc.uk.com