Hazel Crawford
Managing Director

One of the Midlands’ leading young business women, Hazel began her career as a journalist before spending five years in an in-house PR role at Cable & Wireless. In 1999 Hazel founded Connect PR with Rob Hampton and grew the business from one employee to 25, successfully winning blue chip accounts including Volkswagen and Persimmon Homes. In 2015, Rob and Hazel acquired local rivals Seal Communications and in 2016 invested in a 2.7 acre farm in Staffordshire for the new 8848 headquarters.

Amanda Stagg
Marketing Director

With a wealth of experience in the automotive, leisure and retail sectors, Amanda previously spent seven years as client partner to Goodyear Dunlop and HiQ where she was key in driving strategy and delivering impressive ROI. Her considered, calm and thorough approach has benefitted clients including Birmingham Airport, The Cube, Remeha Commercial, Telford Shopping Centre and Rightmove.

Lee Southen
Group Account Director

A true heavyweight PR professional, Lee has over 15 years of consumer and B2B experience. One of 8848’s most recognisable faces, Lee regularly appears on Big Centre TV to review the papers on The Week. Ever energetic and supportive, as a senior member of 8848 Lee ensures he adds to the skills and experience of every team member.

Mike Lloyd
Creative Director

For over 20 years Mike been busy creating brands for many of the region’s leading organisations, most notably his recent work for The Cube, Birmingham Airport and Birmingham’s Town Hall and Symphony Hall. His work is a great testament to what we are trying to achieve at 8848, combining world class design that you’d associated with a large agency with the personal touch of a small one. Mike’s approach delivers great results through close working partnerships with our clients and his work raises the creative levels within the agency.

Jonathan Bridgewater
Video News Manager

Jonathan joined 8848 in 2013 after graduating with a First-class BA (hons) in Media Production. In his role at 8848 Jonathan creates high quality video content to help clients increase their online presence. He brings an innate ability to turn key client ideas and messages into short, sharp, engaging videos. 

Liz Collingridge
Marketing Manager

Liz is the newest member of the team at 8848. She brings with her over 16 years’ marketing experience both agency and client-side working with brands such as Bentley Motors, Aga-Rayburn, Brock Hall Farm, MG Motors and Mr Trotter’s. Liz is renowned for her boundless energy and insightful interpretation of business and customer needs, supporting her clients’ strategic thinking and accurately communicating those needs to the wider agency team.

Nicky Hind
Account Director

With more than 15 years’ experience across all communications disciplines, Nicky specialises in tailoring campaigns to suit the practical needs and aspirations of every client. With robust relationships across the sector and clients ranging from small charities to a FTSE 100 company, her deliberate and calm approach is used to develop measurable creative solutions that change perceptions and cement relationships.

Sue Foster
Account Director

Sue has been a valued team member at 8848 for more than a decade following a successful eleven-year career in business management. A versatile and commercially minded individual, she uses her organisational skills and creativity to deliver explosive strategic campaigns across all channels.

Caroline Garbett
Account Director

Caroline’s wide experience includes more than 15 years in regional newspapers and senior in-house roles at Mensa and PDSA. As well as the skilful execution of creative events and engaging social media programmes, Caroline’s clients benefit from a professional PR service including strategic campaign development and authoritative crisis handling.

Sarah Dutton
Account Manager

For 25 years, Sarah has brought hunger and energy to the media. Her versatility and drive has seen her edit a glossy lifestyle magazine, contribute to countless regional newspapers and enjoy a successful spell in media relations with a leading blue chip company. Always looking for the next challenge, Sarah pushes the team at 8848 to continually strive for perfection.

Dale Maycock
Account Manager

With over three years’ worth of experience working for a national news agency, Dale knows how to hit the headlines at a national level. Through his knowledge writing and placing news content in various international newspaper and magazines, Dale now turns his talents to gaining the very best coverage possible. Whether it’s writing for B2B or B2C clients, managing social media channels or even taking the odd press shot there’s not much Dale can’t turn his hand to.

James Garrison
Account Director

James has well over a decade’s experience in the media, including ten years working as a journalist on one of Britain’s largest regional newspapers. Joining 8848 in 2011, James knows what makes the media tick and is committed to creating engaging and effective campaigns for clients and securing the best possible coverage across all channels.

Sean Wozencroft
Account Manager

Sean has eight years of media experience having started out as a journalist with a leading regional newspaper before joining 8848 in 2014. With a degree in journalism, he has a passion for engaging press releases and in bringing brands to the forefront in the trade press.

Charlotte Greenhalgh
Account Executive

Charlotte is kick-starting her career at 8848, swapping her in-house experience for an agency lifestyle. A graduate in Media and Communication, Charlotte is a successful blogger with experience writing across a wide range of topics and industries. A confident communicator, her creative-led approach has benefited clients including The Cube, Persimmon Homes and Charles Church.

Jackie Winfield
Financial Controller

With more than 20 years’ agency support experience, Jackie is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of 8848’s accounts, purchasing and invoicing. In what is often a bustling work environment, her composed and exhaustive approach is invaluable in maintaining effective day-to-day operations.

Ross Watson
Account Executive

After studying Media and Communication at Birmingham City University, Ross joined 8848 upon graduation in 2015. Unapologetically results-driven, Ross’ broad set of media skills has already supported Johnstone’s Paint, Autoglym and Volkswagen. Ross is also a successful column writer for the Birmingham Mail, providing insight and occasional impartiality on his beloved Wolverhampton Wanders.

Judith Sanders
Account Manager

Judith worked for more than 20 years for one of the UK’s leading regional newspaper groups. With an in-built understanding of what the media wants and needs, her journalistic skills are now used at 8848 to help clients consistently grab the right headlines.

Natalie Moore
Account Executive

After achieving a First-class BA (hons) English Language degree, Natalie wasted no time in kick-starting her career in PR. Bringing a modern approach to communication, her creativity is used at 8848 to produce innovative, effective content in both the ever-changing world of social media and more traditional marketing channels.

Adam Thompson Account Executive

Adam began his career as a journalist working for five years on a number of leading regional newspapers including the Bedfordshire on Sunday and Express & Star. His wealth of experience of both the press and social media ensures 8848 clients frequently grab the limelight.

Sam Taylor
Senior Account Manager

A former newspaper editor, Sam worked in regional journalism for 25 years. Having moved into PR four years ago, she brings with her an eye for a story and a way with words. Copywriting credentials include the luxurious handcrafted world of Bentley and the technical precision of Yale, with a particular specialism in legal and professional services.

Simon Nutkins
Territory Manager

Black Country born and bred, Simon is 8848’s resident local expert. With a career spanning seven months, Simon has a lifetime of marketing experience under his pelt. While his get-up-and-go attitude has benefitted a wealth of clients, it’s his boundless energy that keeps his colleagues on their toes.