The team
Victoria Tomlinson, chief executive
Victoria was a director at Ernst & Young before setting up Northern Lights in 1989. She is also a director of welcometraining.com and sits on the boards of Bradford University School of Management and Northern Ballet. Victoria was named the CIPR Yorkshire & Lincolnshire’s Outstanding Communicator 2011 for her innovative ebook on social media for business and internship for BAME graduates.
Helen Robinson, account director
Helen has worked in marketing planning and campaigns management for the past 8 years, in both in-house and consultancy roles and in sectors from leisure and culture to pharmaceutical and property. She is a strategic marketeer, particularly for companies undergoing organisational change, as well as being a strong copywriter. Helen has been blogging for a number of years, both thought leadership and strategic blogs to SEO content, on topics as wide ranging as digital marketing and telecomms to training delivery and commercial property management.
Shelley Ross, account executive
Shelley trained as a journalist with Thomson Regional newspapers before working as a press and publicity officer for a number of organisations and charities. Most recently, she spent three years working for a medical research charity overseeing their website, press and publicity. Her background as a former journalist enables Shelley to look at issues from both perspectives – as both a journalist and account executive. She is a strong copywriter and blogger.
Sandy Welsh, office manager and client services
Sandy worked as media buyer/accounting executive at an advertising/PR agency in Harrogate for four years prior to joining Northern Lights PR. In her native Holland, she worked in recruitment after completing a degree in facilities management. Her role at Northern Lights is managing the office, providing project support, preparing the accounts and client budgets, efficient client liaison and generally ensuring the smooth running of the office.
Sue Perry, client services
Sue previously worked in administration in the higher education sector at Harrogate College and with the Morgan Group in the Middle East running accounting qualifications. She lived in Bahrain for 18 years and has experience in the hospitality, aviation, finance and construction industries. At Northern Lights Sue provides general office assistance and supports other members of the team with client research and projects.
Jonny Ross, associate
Jonny specialises in social and digital marketing and organic search in B2B and B2C sectors – essentially getting more people to your website and being found more easily on Google searches. He has worked in small business management for more than 13 years and has a proven track record in the retail e-commerce field. He is now recognised in e-business and is a commentator in press and the media.
Nicky Brunker, associate
Nicky specialises in business planning, marketing strategy, business development in private and public sector marketing, communications, PR, public affairs and stakeholder development.
She has worked for FTSE 100 companies and SMEs, B2B and B2C, public sector agencies and government bodies where she is known for creating high profile communications, international events and campaigns for market-leading products and services in a variety of sectors including education, publishing, hospitality, media and transport.
Lucy Allen, associate
Lucy’s PR experience spans 15 years. She has particular skills in food, tourism and hospitality as well as working with legal, medico-legal and financial companies. She has recently worked with Welcome to Yorkshire, ASDA, Morrisons and Taste Cumbria, whilst her B2B experience covers The Law Society of England and Wales and STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), latterly providing services in Dubai, Hong Kong and Mauritius.
Chris Titley, associate
Chris trained as a reporter on the daily paper in Bath followed by 13 years at the Evening Press in York taking on the roles of features editor, leader writer and columnist. Six years ago he went freelance, writing for the Guardian, The Times Education Supplement and Yorkshire Life magazine, as well as co-founding and editing the digital magazine for his home city, YorkMix.
Sue Symington, associate
An experienced HR director and non executive director, Sue is adept at working collaboratively with senior teams to help shape vision, values and strategic goals and future organizational direction. Sue has a strong HR background, developing her early career as HR director for Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate, culminating in the business being awarded 12th Best Company to Work For by The Sunday Times. Sue has had senior roles across all 3 sectors and understands the importance of organizational culture in business success. A team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, Sue brings insight, challenge and support to clients.
Sarah Larby, intern
Sarah is at Newcastle University studying classics. She has worked with us on the launch of our ebook ‘From Student to Salary with Social Media’ - using Twitter, blogs, LinkedIn and Facebook to promote it as well as traditional PR. Sarah is working with us in her holidays.
Virtual Team
We work closely with trusted specialists in a number of fields including print and digital designers, photographers, media cuttings services, SEO and web marketing experts and media trainers.
Shelley trained as a journalist with Thomson Regional newspapers before working as a press and publicity officer for a number of organisations and charities. Most recently, she spent three years working for a medical research charity overseeing their website, press and publicity. Her background as a former journalist enables Shelley to look at issues from both perspectives – as both a journalist and account executive. She is a strong copywriter and blogger.
