Wildcard
Wildcard
our clients
Luxury and lifestyle
Food and drink
Exhibitions and events

Kate WildKate Wild
Managing Director

With over 20 years' experience in consumer and business to business public relations, Kate Wild started her career at Hill & Knowlton, having graduated from Exeter University. She spent six years in the consumer marketing division at H&K working on accounts such as Kellogg's, St Ivel Gold, The Post Office, The National Dairy Council and Baxter's of Speyside.

Kate left Hill & Knowlton to help set up a small consumer and corporate PR consultancy, Wearne Associates. There she directed accounts such as RHM Foods (encompassing, amongst others, the Bisto, McDougalls and Robertson's brands), Marlow Foods (the launch of the meat alternative, Quorn), John West and Tupperware. Directing the work across all aspects of these accounts, she had particular input on strategic consultancy and brand development. Kate was also responsible for issue consultancy and management across all clients and worked with the company principal, Alison Wearne, on the development and execution of crisis management contingency plans.

In 1994, Kate left Wearne Associates to start working as an independent PR consultant from her home. Early clients included Merchant Gourment, KitchenAid and John Cullen Lighting (still clients of Wild Card today). Wild Card was established in May 1997 and incorporated in April 2000.

Lindsay Stewart Lindsay Stewart
Director

Lindsay served her PR apprenticeship in the Consumer Department of The Communications Group. In 1986, aged 25, she set up Conal Walsh & Stewart Limited with one of her colleagues and successfully specialised in the food and drink sectors for the next ten years. In 1996 she was appointed first to the board of Richmond Towers and the following year to the board with The Grayling Group where she headed up accounts including the Glenfiddich Food & Drink Awards, Le Creuset cast iron cookware and Screwpull wine and champagne accessories. Lindsay joined Wild Card in September 2003. Here she oversees the Food & Restaurant Division and is responsible for developing new business.

Nish AssomullNish Assomull
Group Account Director

Having joined Wild Card in 2000 as an account executive, Nish is one of the longest serving members of the team. She cut her teeth at the Public Affairs department of the National Farmers Union where she helped to launch the Little Red Tractor and managed campaigns to 'Bring Back British Beef' and World Rural Women's Day. As luck would have it, she left just before the foot and mouth crisis!

She is now a Group Account Director and is responsible for managing a number of food and event accounts. Nish is also involved in the strategic development of the company, heading up the new business drive, and looks forward to growing with the company.

Rhona TemplerRhona Templer
Group Account Director
Rhona started her PR career at award-winning agency Jane Howard PR working across consumer and fashion accounts. Then, after working on big brand accounts at Jackie Cooper PR including Pretty Polly, L’Oreal and Procter and Gamble brands, she set up her own consultancy, tonic pr. It was here that her agency developed her proudest campaign to date – the Fast Lane Campaign on London’s Oxford Street – that achieved international notoriety! Her food and events experience includes Caffe Nero, California Prunes, Danone brands as well as Elle Style Awards, Pride Festival and London Mens Fashion Week. Rhona joined Wild Card in December 2007. Here she is responsible for a number of events, food and drink accounts and plays a leading role in driving Wild Card's new business campaign.

Celia ClarkCelia Clark
Senior Account Director

Celia started her working life at Louis Latour Ltd, the UK subsidiary of Burgundy house Maison Louis Latour, having graduated with a music degree from Oxford University in 1993. After a brief spell in advertising, she gravitated back to the wine trade, joining Laurent-Perrier Champagne as Marketing Manager.

Celia joined Wild Card in November 2000 and since the birth of Holly and Jemima works three days a week, but is a dedicated Senior Account Director for clients in the homes, luxury and lifestyle sectors.

Jen EveleighJen Eveleigh
Account Director

Jen joined Wild Card in July 2001 as receptionist and account assistant, and moved up the ladder to Account Director in 2006.

After completing a degree in English Language and Literature at The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Jen traveled round the world and fulfilled a dream of working a ski season in the Alps, before embarking on the world of work.

Jen has taken a Wine & Spirits Education Trust Certificate and looks after clients on the wine and luxury/lifestyle arm of Wild Card.

Louise Sansom Louise Sansom
Account Director

Louise began her career working at an international PR consultancy where she gained a wealth of experience in the food and drink sectors.

As an Account Director at Wild Card, Louise is responsible for the strategic direction of campaigns for brands including Ketel One Vodka, Union, Merchant Gourmet, Discovery Foods and the iconic KitchenAid collection to name a few. Louise also manages the prestigious Glenfiddich Food & Drink Awards.

Nina PlowmanNina Plowman
Senior Account Manager

When Nina joined Wild Card in 2005, she brought with her a diverse range of consumer experience spanning the arts, travel, retail, motoring and government campaigns. Previous clients include Waterstone's, Piaggio, Vespa, the Royal Garden Hotel and the Olympia Fine Art & Antiques Fair.

At Wild Card, Nina looks after clients on the wine and luxury/lifestyle side of the business.

Nina read English Literature at University of London, and trained as a journalist following graduation. She has worked on numerous publications including The Times, Sunday Telegraph and Press Gazette.

Emily ThoubboronEmily Thoubboron
Account Manager
Emily graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2003 with a degree in European Business with French having spent 6 months in Sydney and 12 months in Toulouse as part of her studies. During her time at university, Emily gained extensive work experience at a number of large companies including Unilever and Coca-Cola where she developed a passion for brands. Her career in PR started in 2004 with Articulate Communication where she worked across a number of design and consumer lifestyle events including New Designers, London Design Festival and The Chelsea Crafts Fair.

At Wild Card, Emily works as an Account Manager across a diverse range of accounts.

Laura GrayLaura Gray
Account Manager

Laura's interest in PR was sparked by a yearlong work placement in a top Manhattan hotel, undertaken as part of her degree in International Hospitality Management at the University of Surrey.

After graduating in 2004, Laura started at travel specialist PR agency McCluskey International, where she spent over three years working with travel and lifestyle media to promote her tourist board, hotel group and airline clients. Whilst at McCluskey, Laura had the opportunity to travel extensively, with highlights including trips to South Africa and Uganda.

Having moved to Wild Card in July 2007, Laura now works on a range of food, restaurant & lifestyle clients.

Fiona St. GeorgeFiona St. George
Account Manager

After completing an MA in Publishing at Oxford Brookes University, Fiona pursued a career in publishing, starting out with cookery book publisher Quadrille. Promptly falling for all things recipe-based, Fiona spend the next few years working in the publicity departments for the UK’s most reputable cookery publishers, handling the book campaigns of top chef and food writers. Fiona joined Wild Card in July 2007 as a Account Manager and works on a range of food and lifestyle clients.

Amanda ParkinsonAmanda Parkinson
Account Manager

After studying German at The University of Manchester, which included a year living in Heidelberg, Amanda began her career in PR in Los Angeles working for the British American Business Council. She then went on to work at a consumer PR agency where clients included Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, Make A Wish Foundation and Wham-O Toys. When she returned to the UK she joined an agency which specialised in food and worked on a range of accounts including Jazz™ apples, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Tetley tea. Amanda then completed a short stint as a freelancer working on big brands such as Bosch and Lindt before arriving at Wild Card in 2008 as an Account Manager.

Alex IrvingAlex Irving
Account Manager

Alex joined Wild Card in 2007 to follow her interest in food and drink, and luxury lifestyle brands. With a passion for PR, Alex decided to develop her chosen career by completing an MA in Communications Management after she graduated in Psychology from The University of York.

Moving to Stretch PR in 2005, Alex worked on various clients in architecture, design and food. Focusing on markets and access to fresh food, she worked on various projects including London’s Borough Market and the London Architecture Biennale.

Alex is currently working on design, lifestyle and food clients at Wild Card.

Rosie HalloranRosie Halloran
Senior Account Executive

Rosie graduated with a 2:1 degree in PR and communications from Southampton Solent University. She is also a graduate of the Unlocking Cornish Potential programme. Rosie has international business experience acquired when working in South East Asia for 5 years before embarking on her career in PR.

Back in the UK Rosie took a PR and events role handling food, drink, charity and professional services accounts. Her particular passion for food, drink and lifestyle PR led her to joining the Wild Card team in March 2008.

Sophie McCartneySophie McCartney
Senior Account Executive

Sophie graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2005 after gaining a BA (hons) in Public Relations. She continued to live in Leeds after graduation and worked in marketing and PR recruitment before heading down to London to pursue her PR career further.

She started work at 360 Communications in 2006, and worked on a variety of accounts such as Ryvita, New Covent Garden Food Co. and Gillette.

Sophie joined Wild Card in January 2007 as an Account Executive working on the food and drink team.

Lucy McGonigleLucy McGonigle
Account Executive

Lucy graduated from Northumbria University with a BSc (HONS) in Communication in 2006. She first came down to London for a work placement at Vogue following her passion for fashion, before returning to Newcastle to start a PR career at Golley Slater.

Lucy joined Wild Card in September 2007 and works on the food and drink side.

Roxie NewtonRoxanne Newton
Account Executive

Roxanne graduated with a 2:1 degree in English Literature from Queen Mary’s University of London in 2006. Whilst studying for her degree she also worked within the restaurant and drinks trade, gaining over six years experience in the process.

This passion for food and drink led Roxanne to join the Wild Card team on work experience in July 2006 before moving to Inspirit Brands.

Roxanne became a permanent member of the Wild Card team in March 2007 and uses her knowledge and previous experience on a range of food, drink and event accounts.

Natalie DunbarNatalie Dunbar
Account Executive

Natalie graduated from Exeter University where she received a 2:1 in English. Before embarking on her career in PR, she spent some time travelling around Australia and Asia. Natalie completed work experience at Rebel and the PR department of Moet &Chandon. She joined Wild Card in September 2006 where she works on a range of food and drink clients.

Kim AtkinsKim Atkins
Account Executive

Kim graduated with a 2:1 degree in Sociology from the University of Leeds in 2003. After graduating, Kim embarked on a round the world trip, ending in Buenos Aires where she lived for two months, completing a diploma in Spanish from the University of Buenos Aires. On return from travelling, Kim spent the winter season working in the UK promoting a new Ski Simulator and then spent the summer managing a Vietnamese restaurant and champagne bar. Kim then set off to France for the 05/06 ski season, managing a hotel restaurant in Val D’Isere.

Back in the UK, Kim took a PR and events role at the University of Kent before moving to London to a financial PR agency. Kim’s love of travel, food and drink and lifestyle products led her to Wild Card and she joined the team in March 2008 working on a range of food, drink, fashion and travel accounts.

Laura PealLaura Peal
Account Assistant

Laura joined Wild Card as an Account Assistant for her university placement year in September 2007 to expand her knowledge and experience in a consumer PR agency. As a Marketing and Management student from Newcastle University, Laura opted to spend a year in industry, before she returns to the North this September to complete her degree.

Laura's interest in PR and Marketing began during her gap year when she worked at integrated ad agency Ware Anthony Rust. She worked on brands including Visa, Multiyork and Trader before spending a ski season in the Alps and teaching English in Africa.

Laura works on a mixture of food and luxury clients and, after university, Laura hopes to pursue her career in food marketing and PR.

Simon HolborowSimon Holborow
Human Resources and Operations Director

Simon joined Wild Card in May 2006. He was previously a soldier. He had a number of employments, most recently undertaking strategic research and analysis for the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and other government departments, for which he travelled widely around the world.

Prior to that he had appointments in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Sub Saharan and West Africa and also spent several years with the Australian Parachute Regiment. He ran the human resources and administrative component of the Army covering the west of England and held an appointment for three years working for HM The Queen, with particular responsibility for assisting in the coordination of State Visits.

Amber OrganAmber Organ
Office Manager and Receptionist
After studying for her A levels in English Literature and Drama, Amber decided to take a gap year and started off working in the leisure industry. She then set off to travel around Europe, eventually settling in Spain where she worked in financial services and at a coastal radio station.

On her return to England she joined one of the most prestigious department stores in England, culminating in running an Italian Designer fashion franchise.

In 2007 she moved into Office Management, working for luxury Serviced Offices, which prepared her for her move to Wild Card in January 2008 as Office Manager and Receptionist.

Ruth KnellerRuth Kneller
Finance Manager

Ruth has a background in accountancy and has run several successful companies with her husband. She was financial director of a communications company before taking a sabbatical. Having a restaurant was on the Œlife list¹ and after successfully running a critically acclaimed restaurant Ruth joined Wild Card in February 2008 as finance manager.

Kath TeagueKath Teague
Payroll and Staff Manager

Kath joined the company in 2008 and brings a wealth of experience to the finance department. She comes to Wild Card after having worked for ten years with a local private company where as Payroll Supervisor she had responsibility for over 2,000 staff; latterly she transferred to the Human Resources department to work as part of the senior HR team. Prior to this, Kath worked for the Inspector of Taxes where her understanding of PAYE was gained. Kath's knowledge of the HR function is supported by the qualifications she holds with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Accounts Team: Sharon Mills, Margaret Davies, Jenny Norman and Kathy JonesAccounts team
The Wild Card Accounts Department is run by Sharon Mills and Margaret Davies, assisted by Jenny Norman. All work part-time, but flexibly to meet the challenges of the accounting function in such a dynamic and growing company. They are based in Wild Card’s Northamptonshire office.

 

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