Wildcard
Wildcard

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.

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.

Louise Sansom Louise Sansom
Senior 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.

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.

Nina PlowmanNina Plowman
Account Director

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.

Fiona St. GeorgeFiona St. George
Senior 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.

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.

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.

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
Senior 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.

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.

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 ‘life list’ 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.

Lucy BuglassLucy Buglass
Account Executive
Lucy studied Philosophy, Psychology and Politics at Newcastle and graduated in 2005. After a year living back home in Aberdeen and working in event management, she moved down to London and joined the PR company mmconsultancy, focusing mainly on drinks brands Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Hendrick’s Gin and Reyka Vodka.

Lucy joined Wild Card in August 2008 and works across a number of food and drink brands.

Edwina HarrisonEdwina Harrison
Account Executive
Edwina graduated from Cardiff University where she received a 2:1 in Psychology. After completing her degree, Edwina traveled around South America and Australasia before settling on her career in PR. Prior to joining Wild Card in August 2008, Edwina gained valuable work experience at Linaker Ltd and Ensham Resources (Australia).

Eddie EverardEddie Everard
Junior Account Executive/ Office Manager
Eddie graduated with a 2:1 degree in Geography, Business and Environment from The University of Nottingham in 2008. After graduating she was lucky enough to travel around South America before pursuing her career in PR.

At University Eddie took the opportunity to gain work experience in PR and the media. This included a Press Assistant internship at the BBC Elstree Press Office, which looks after EastEnders, Holby City and Casualty.

After graduating Eddie worked for the financial PR firm Lansons Communications as a Trainee Account Executive. Prior to joining Wild Card for work experience in March 2009 she undertook a placement at Freud Communications.

Eddie was welcomed into the Wild Card team in May 2009 where she now oversees the smooth running of the office and assists on various lifestyle, food and drink accounts.

Shannon GreenShannon Green
Senior Account Executive
Shannon graduated with an 'A' from Auckland University of Technology where she received a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Public Relations. Before moving to London from New Zealand, Shannon worked for two top New Zealand consumer public relations agencies, and was awarded by the PR Institute of New Zealand for her work with a national charity. She joined Wild Card in April 2009, where she works on a range of food and drink clients.

Joss PriceJoss Price
Junior Account Executive
Joss graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2004 with a degree in Real Estate Management. Attracted by a career in the creative industries he changed tack from property and embarked upon a role with a design agency, spending two years in London working with a range of publishing and editorial clients. Having always harboured a dream to live on the coast Joss relocated from London to Cornwall in 2007 setting up a business and getting his first taste for PR whilst promoting his business to travel and lifestyle media.

Building on his growing interest for PR Joss joined the Wild Card Truro office in January 2009 to work with a variety of South West food, drink and lifestyle brands.

Sarah KempSarah Kemp
Junior Account Executive
Sarah studied Writing for Media Arts at London Southbank University. During this time she completed 7 months work experience in the Marketing Department of MySpace and following her degree worked for 3 months as a part of the social media specialist team at Entertainment Intelligence, before setting her sights on the world of PR. She was brought up by foodie parents, is a self confessed chocoholic and loves all things food related. She now proudly works on a range of food and lifestyle clients.

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