My guest today is a man of many careers, but in all, and most importantly – he is a communicator.  All of the professions Alastair Greener has worked in have focused on being able to talk to people: - hospitality, sales, acting, presenting and performing, and teaching other people how to present well.  I’ve known Alastair for some years, and as you’ll hear in our conversation, we have collaborated on a few occasions, and we plan to work together even more later in 2024.  He talks to about the importance of being your authentic self and how particularly important that is as a spe ..read more

Today’s guest is a fellow journalist, Sue Kinnear who is the voice of afternoon bulletins for BBC Wiltshire and Gloucestershire and also an experienced radio producer and presenter.  In her current role, she has to produce three minutes of news for her bulletins. This means she has to find, write and present bulletins every hour, between 2pm and 6pm  – and it has to fit three minutes precisely.  Sue has years of experience in both radio and TV, and like me, she loves telling stories.  Most of us have no idea how incredibly hectic it can be gathering the information together ..read more

In today’s episode Fiona speaks to Mike Rees, who is standing as an independent candidate in the upcoming election of a new Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner.   Mike stood as a candidate back in 2021 and came second to the person who secured that post representing the Conservative Party. With no political party support or apparatus, backed by volunteers and a small budget from supporters, Mike spent his own money and time to stand up for what he believed in.  In this podcast Mike shares why he’s going for the role again – a role he actually believes should not exist. Given that ..read more

Today’s guest is Rob Curtis who is a client and someone I’ve known for several years in Wiltshire’s small business community.  He’s a digital marketing whizz now running his own company The Pursuit Agency however I knew him before that and supported him when he was about to ‘go it alone’.  He’s also a bit like Tigger, from Winnie the Pooh, darting around with boundless energy or so it seems, moving from one idea to another.  This young entrepreneur is incredibly passionate about the world of digital marketing and that becomes obvious when you hear him talking, or when you meet h ..read more

My guest today, Zoe Hewitt, swapped her role as a set designer in film and tv to be an interior designer – because the skills are pretty much the same. There are obviously other reasons, which you’ll hear about.  Zoe has known what she wanted to do since being a young child, and got useful careers advice from school – unlike many of us and especially me who was told that I could choose between being a secretary or a nurse – which did I fancy?   Zoe has always been proactive, and has made her own opportunities. In fact, she’s never really been employed, but has always been a freelance ..read more

I was imagining my guest today talking to me from sunnier climes, only to be told that he was actually in a very cold LA!  Nathan is the CEO of Miller Ink, a strategic communications agency with headquarters in LA, and offices in New York and San Francisco. He has spent the last 20 years in communications, working with a variety of large corporate clients, high profile individuals, entertainment leaders and some non-profit advocacy groups.  He previously worked at the UN as the chief speechwriter and communications director at the Israeli Mission to the United Nations; in Brussels wi ..read more

Today’s guest has been described as a serial entrepreneur – a title she hates!  However, Rachel has been running different businesses over the last 20 odd years.  Prior to Lockdown, she and her husband ran a software business, but thanks to the huge changes that took place, 50% of their clients left. Like many small businesses, they were left wondering where they were going to make the money to pay for everything.  Her husband, Elliot is an amazing pizza cook, so he suggested they started selling pizzas.  I’m sure when many of you hear this, you’ll be thinking, how on earth ..read more

I want to introduce you to Trish Lynch, a very experienced broadcaster, interviewer, presenter and moderator, who shares the amazing story of how she almost fell into this business.   She went to a casting with a friend who was actually going for the job, and because no one turned up, they invited Trish to interview.  She ended up with a video of her on a news desk with Eamon Holmes and David Frost.  That one video got her foot in the door, and there has been no stopping her since. Not that it was an easy ride - she had to learn and build the skills that have served her over the ..read more

Today’s guest, is Dave Nelson of Truffle and Thyme, a catering business based in North Wiltshire. For many years Dave had worked in the catering and events industry in London, and latterly in the West Country, in a variety of operations and management roles. Then COVID hit, and had a drastic effect on the entire hospitality industry and Dave’s job evaporated.  His new business grew out of necessity, when recognising he needed to do something to make a living, was able to make use of all of the things he had learned in the many kitchens, he’d worked in during his career.  And of cours ..read more

My main aim in my professional life as a PR specialist and expert, is to help people and their business or organisation to become more visible. Looking ahead to 2024, in this episode, I predict the things that the media will be engaged with, and share how you can get your voice heard, talking about those themes. I look at more general ‘trends’ to be considered in how PR will continue to be shaped over the next year.  This includes the continuing importance of social media, of video content and the growing domination of generations who communicate via online tools.  My over-riding poi ..read more