David is well known amongst Birmingham’s business community – especially as a keen supporter of the city. Indeed, so keen is he that he has co-written and produced Birmingham’s only wide-appeal independent guidebook to the city: The Rabbit Guide to Birmingham (available in all good book stores!).

His day job is running a well-respected Birmingham PR and communications company. He has some 30 years of experience in the development and implementation of communications and public relations programmes.

David is past-Chairman of business lobby group Birmingham Forward, a former trustee and director of Birmingham Settlement and a past chairman of the Institute of Directors’ Birmingham Business Breakfast Club. He has also served as a director of Marketing Birmingham and serves on the board of the Prince’s Trust in Birmingham and Solihull and is on the Council of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.


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Mark joined Clarke Associates in 2001. He previously spent 21 years working in journalism and edited three weekly newspapers across the West Midlands, as well as working on daily publications. Having worked on both weekly and daily newspapers, he is highly experienced in regional media - with a thorough knowledge of the media’s requirements - both regional and national. His contacts with the press are extensive.

Mark was responsible for many fund-raising and campaigning ventures across the regional press and has developed an extensive network of additional contacts with key influencers around the region. Applying his detailed working knowledge and wealth of experience of media requirements, Mark has also been heavily involved in the training of journalists and photographers.

Mark also sits on the board of Birmingham Forward, the lobbying group for the professional services sector.

Victoria served in a key role as a press officer for Severn Trent Water for two years before joining Clarke Associates, developing a role to include responding to reactive calls from media, creating positive PR support through local and regional media, promoting the company’s key messages and managing commercial sponsorship and working with all other areas of the business.

At Clarke Associates she speaks to the press several times each day and has quickly developed her range of communication skills, and she is readily able to deal with pressure, deadlines and the ability to respond to a crisis situation. 

Victoria works on a range of clients for Clarke Associates.

Isabel has recently joined Clarke Associates after graduating from the University of Birmingham with a 2:1 in English Literature.

A prominent role on her departmental committee has developed her skills in research and communication. Isabel’s commitment to a variety of choirs and sports teams during her University career also demonstrates her ability to work and communicate well within a
team environment.

Isabel’s English degree has enhanced her ability to write in different styles. She is now working with a wide range of clients at Clarke Associates which will enable her to use her skills across a variety of sectors. 

Clare joined Clarke Associates in early 2004, after a two year period with a leading Worcestershire creative firm. A graduate from Glamorgan University, with a first class BA (hons) in visual communication, Clare has a wide variety of skills and abilities including a strong visual understanding, aesthetic eye and interest to detail. Clare also has experience in working with organisations of all sizes, ranging from small firms through to large agencies. Clare has created a range of identities including a campaign logo for The Black Country Living Museum and brand development for NHS South Birmingham PCT.

A  member of Birmingham Future for over four years, she works closely with a wide range of Midlands’ organisations. She is also part of the Birmingham Civic Society Citizenship Committee, who promote positive and active citizenship in young people across Birmingham. Working with primary and secondary age children to develop their understanding of what it takes to be a good citizen of this city. She is responsible for a number of publications including Advised in Birmingham for Birmingham Forward, a CIPR PRide Award finalist for Best Publication, Perspectives for the Birmingham Civic Society, Outlook – the newsletter for Bournville Village Trust and the Rabbit Guide to Birmingham.

David joined Clarke Associates after graduating from the Birmingham Central University with a first class (BA) Honours in Visual Communication, aswell as receiving a D&AD and Trevor Beattie Award for his branding work.
David is quickly gaining experience in his visual communication skills and works across a range of clients and sectors at Clarke Associates, from designing publications to developing the company's website expertise.

Alison has been part of the Clarke Associates team for more than ten years, working alongside both Karen
and Jill.

Alison organises and manages the administration of the all-important time sheet summaries and a number of periodical publications.

Alison is the one most likely to answer the phone in the afternoons!

Katie has recently joined Clarke Associates after graduating from the University of Birmingham with a 2:1 Honours degree in English Literature and Language.

Katie took part in many university activities and played for three competitive sports teams while studying for her degree. She also coached children at a local school which was a real test of effective communication!

Studying a combined degree in English Literature and English Language gave Katie a foundation in traditional literature but also experience of working with modern English and its applications in the twenty-first-century. She is now gaining experience of working in communications and learning to transfer these skills into practice.

Karen has worked for Clarke Associates for more than 21 years. In fact since the company’s inception! Karen manages the running of the office and is also PA to managing director
David Clarke.

She handles a wide range of support and administrative tasks for other members of the team and is also the company’s key HR contact.

Jill has worked as part of the Clarke Associates support team for seven years, following her role as PA to the director of commercial banking at Natwest Bank.

She supports the tactical PR team and is an integral part of the day-to-day business.  

The early bird of the office, Jill is the one most likely to answer the phone in the mornings!

Chris has worked within Business development sales PR and Marketing for more than 15 years. Having worked on both sides of the table as client and agency Chris understands the issues facing companies each day as they try to deliver effective PR and Marketing, with an eye on the future.

With a vast knowledge of both traditional print and new media Chris is well positioned to research, integrate and deliver innovative media campaigns.

Claire joined Clarke Associates to look after all things financial.

Claire has worked as an accountant for more than 20 years and has experience with working with many different companies across a range of sectors.

At Clarke Associates Claire deals with the company accounts and manages the biscuit money!

One of the most experienced corporate communications practitioners in the Midlands, Ian spent 15 years in automotive industry PR and communications. He was corporate affairs director with commercial vehicle manufacturer LDV, and before that was corporate communications director with the Rover Group.

As a testimony to his specialist media relations and writing skills, Ian has won a number of awards for communications programmes. He lectures on crisis and issues management, and on the use of good internal communications to gain business advantage.

Before moving into PR he was a journalist on major regional newspapers. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Motor Industry Public Affairs Association.

David has extensive marketing and communications skills. He is a marketing specialist with widespread practical experience gained at a senior level across a variety of industries, in both consumer and business-to-business markets.

A career marketing professional, he has worked for major UK companies in national and international marketing roles and brings particular skills in brand development, customer satisfaction measurement and marketing audit processes as the key strategic pillars for sustainable competitive advantage. He has been established as a freelance consultant since 1999 and since then has handled successful assignments for a diverse group of clients in the Midlands - ranging from SMEs to multi-nationals.

David is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), an Associate member of the Institute of Management Consultancy, a past member of the Market Research Society & the Strategic Planning Society and holds the diploma in marketing from the CIM.