Achieving PR goals in a multimedia, multichannel environment requires a team with deep and different communications experiences.
At TALA our team is drawn from the worlds of journalism, marketing, international PR, politics and senior corporate roles in addition to several young communications and journalism graduates. We set challenging goals for all our clients and meet them through PR programmes which are based on the application of behavioural science, insight and creativity.
Our woodland
Founder Andrew Baud, the inspiration for TALA’s ethos of doing good though our work, brings the team together under his dynamic leadership. It’s also Andrew who inspired us to plant the woodland, where each year we add more trees as our business grows.
Andrew Baud
founder & chief executive
Andrew founded TALA in 2007 and has 30 years’ experience in top consultancies and senior in-house roles, leading successful and creative reputation management programmes for a diverse range of organisations.
Favourite tree? Vårtbjörk (Silver Birch). Have you ever noticed how the trunks appear to have eyes that follow you through the woodland?
Nick Bailey
managing director
Nick brings real-world automotive expertise to PR thanks to his many years working for tier-one suppliers in quality, manufacturing and engineering through to concept car technologies – experience often lacking in even the most respected PR agencies. A stream of Caterham 7s, MGs and a box of Lotus Elan have filled his garage.
Favourite tree? Lombardy Poplar. A backdrop that lines so many iconic French roads, always leading to an adventure or at least a decent lunch stop.
Harriet Mountford
deputy managing director
Harriet is an accomplished client relations director with a strong track record of project management and event execution. With her excellent relationship building skills, Harriet makes sure we understand your expectations, and that what we deliver makes a real impact.
Favourite tree? Apple. With blossom in spring, shade in summer, and fruit for morning juices, warm cider, toffee apples or a winter crumble, the apple tree keeps giving.
Sarah Garstin
operations director
Sarah leads TALA behind the scenes. From running the finances to keeping major projects on track, implementing HR policies to organising the best team nights out, Sarah is the beating heart of the whole TALA family.
Favourite tree? Cedar. Its horizontal layers and drooping branches provide endless possibilities for play, and so many happy childhood memories.
Chris Rowland
associate director
Chris is an experienced communications consultant with a track record of delivery in public relations, public affairs and grassroots campaigning. Chris blends creative energy with technical proficiency to deliver strong and engaging campaigns.
Favourite tree? Oak. A true classic – always dependable and emanating wisdom.
Louise Coxon
associate director
Louise’s extensive experience in senior in-house corporate communications roles have honed her expertise in protecting and enhancing reputation while delivering communication outcomes that translate into positive behaviour change and advocacy.
Favourite tree? Hawthorn. As the backbone of our landscape, it is a valuable habitat for biodiversity, symbolises resilience and is beautiful in blossom.
Becky Charman
director – media
Becky is a direct-talking consumer and business-to-business PR expert with over 20 years in-house and consultancy experience across major brands. With her extensive contact book and reputation for pitching tenacity, Becky delivers engaging media relations and events.
Favourite tree? Cherry. Every year, the stunning spring blossom is followed by the added bonus of sweet, summer fruit.
Jessica Friend Bartlett
associate director
Jessica has over ten years’ consumer and business-to-business communications experience across the packaging and manufacturing sectors in Europe, including as the account director for Tata Steel, the UK Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association and Canned Food UK.
Favourite tree? Olive. In myth, Athena won Athens’ patronage by gifting an olive tree advocating wisdom, peace and strength. And they evoke memories of holidays in the Mediterranean.
Heather Hopkin
associate director
Heather joins TALA after a decade heading up major health and pharmaceutical communications campaigns for clients leading the healthcare sector. Heather is skilled in developing hardworking communications strategies to bring about positive behaviour change and better health outcomes.
Favourite tree? Silver Birch. The amazing silvery-white bark always catches your eye in a woodland.
Graham Smith
director
Graham has 40 years of experience in the PR sector. He co-founded his own PR agency in the mid-nineties after a decade delivering PR campaigns for some of the UK’s most influential organisations, honing his craft working both in-house and in leading London agencies.
Favourite tree? Malus ‘Red Sentinel’. It’s small bright red apples give colour all year and are eventually soft enough for blackbirds to enjoy.
Nicky Smith
director
Nicky is a research sage and full member of the Market Research Society. With a publishing background at Haymarket and The Guardian and Observer newspapers, Nicky has initiated, researched and authored numerous ground-breaking and highly influential reports, as well as previously co-founding her own PR agency in the mid-nineties.
Favourite tree? The aspen, for its silvery leaves and memories of hot summer days playing in a brook under its swaying branches.
Claudine Fontana
content manager
Claudine specialises in social media strategy and content development, and has over 20 years’ experience developing communications strategies and high impact PR campaigns for major consumer brands and national visitor attractions.
Favourite tree? Purple-leaved Elderflower. Its dark purple leaves and vibrant pink berries are stunning and (apparently) you can make elderflower cordial from them.
Declan Laycock-Watts
client service manager
Declan is an adept client service manager. With his broad experience in retail compliance, creating and implementing new policies and procedures, recruitment, HR, and branch legality, Declan works with Sarah to keep us all on track behind the scenes.
Favourite tree? Foxglove Tree. It starts the year with pretty, foxglove-like flowers and grows rapidly with enormous dinner plate-sized leaves!
Lex Rosenthal
account director & content specialist
Lex began her communications career working in-house at an international development NGO. At TALA, she now applies her strong writing and research skills to sectors as diverse as automotive, tech and healthcare, communicating specialist subjects with creativity and clarity.
Favourite tree? Georgia Pine.
Helen Dubber
account manager
Helen has a degree in journalism and a great eye for identifying and leveraging media opportunities. She manages a wide range of client accounts, from a national visitor attraction to global healthcare and manufacturing brands.
Favourite tree? Does a Christmas tree count?
Lauren Ball
account manager
Lauren joined us as a media and communications graduate and now manages a wide range of packaging and charity clients.
Favourite tree? Mulberry. A reminder of sunny days at home in the garden with family and a symbol of enjoying everything that nature provides.
Beth O’Shea
account manager
With a strong agency background, Beth is an experienced account manager overseeing a range of healthcare, automotive and packaging clients here at TALA. Her warm, collaborative approach and forwards planning help deliver impactful, results-driven work for our clients.
Favourite tree? Monkey Puzzle. We have one in our garden and I just love the name!
Lotta Baud
senior account executive
Lotta completed her PRCA Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Public Relations at TALA, and has proven herself a gifted technical writer and designer. Choosing to take her PR career forward with us, she now supports a wide range of clients.
Favourite tree? Willow. Their long branches symbolise growth and strength, and the bark has the power to relieve pain.
Florence Comber
junior account executive (apprentice)
Flo joined TALA after completing her A Levels and is currently undertaking her PRCA Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Public Relations. She loves writing and social media, and is excited to be starting her PR journey with us!
Favourite tree? Weeping Willow. For its long flowing tresses, of course!
Bob Walker
media specialist
Bob leverages more than 30 years as an expert broadcaster and BBC journalist to help facilitate TALA’s bespoke spokesperson courses and crisis simulation exercises.
Kristina Barger
cognitive behavioural scientist
Kristina has 20 years’ experience in human cognition and behaviour in New York and London, and for clients around the world. She focuses on building evidence-based, measurable strategies for digital and face-to-face communications and is passionate about leveraging science and technology for good.
Favourite tree? Magnolia – for its quiet elegance and ability to adapt. It reinvents itself with grace every season. Plus, it takes me back to my childhood – sweet tea, sunshine and Southern hospitality.
Verity Thomas
content manager
Verity is an experienced and innovative communications and engagement manager with broad experience in healthcare, private and charity sectors. Verity spent ten years leading internal and external communications at Health Education England (now NHS England) before joining TALA.
My favourite tree is a weeping willow – we had a huge weeping willow in our garden when I was a child. It had a rope swing, a tree house nestled in the branches and it provided a perfect spot for so many childhood games under it’s beautiful hanging branches.
Neil Coffey
content manager
Neil is a former speechwriter and senior communications adviser with over a decade’s experience working at the heart of Government. Neil now supports clients across the public sector, tech and life sciences.
Favourite tree? We had a beautiful one at the bottom of our garden when I was young, so they always remind me of home.
Laura Parker
content manager
Laura is a business copywriter and researcher specialising in written content for industrial and professional services clients including Tata Steel, Enterprise Oxfordshire, Shipston Forum and AB Agri. She also writes extensively on nature and the environment, including for Country Life magazine, so her choice of tree should come as no surprise.
Favourite tree? Beech – the original writing paper! And nothing beats the elegance of a beech ‘cathedral’, whatever the season.
John Moorcraft
public affairs specialist
John has more than 20 years’ experience working in Westminster and Whitehall for cabinet ministers, shadow secretaries of state, party spokesmen and MPs, as well as leading political campaigns for public, private and third sectors and businesses, from multinationals through to micro-enterprises.