Social bolsters South West team after another year of growth
Purpose-driven communications consultancy Social has made two new appointments and promoted two colleagues in its South West team after a fourth successive year of continued growth.
Tom Jones and Sam Bessant join Social’s South West team to bolster the team’s work across public relations, stakeholder engagement and creative design disciplines.
Senior Account Manager Tom joins Social from English Heritage, where he was responsible for stakeholder engagement for some of the charity’s most important projects. These included the award-winning footbridge at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, the £3.6m conservation of the Iron Bridge in Shropshire and the delivery of major visitor improvements at Clifford’s Tower in York.
Sam joins as Social’s new Senior Graphic Designer. His 15-year career has seen him work with Bristol Zoo, Pink Lady® apples and Unite Students on integrated marketing campaigns.
In addition, two colleagues are also promoted following a successful 2021. Tori Madine, who joined the company in 2020, is promoted to Account Director. George Heal, who joined Social at the beginning of last year, is now a Senior Account Executive. Sarah Mahoney joined Social as an Account Manager in September last year.
Ben Lowndes, South West Managing Director at Social said: “Last year was a hell of a time for us, and the team has responded to it brilliantly with consistently good work and impressive results for our clients.
“Having Tom and Sam on board further strengthens our offer to South West clients – bringing skills and experience in delivering great campaigns that connect with communities and stakeholders.
“Promotions for Tori and George are testament to their huge contribution to Social last year in helping us deliver and continue to grow. I’m looking forward to working with the team, our clients and stakeholders in 2022.”
Social employs six people in the South West and recently returned to offices in Bristol city centre, beside Temple Meads station. The South West team specialises in strategic public relations, stakeholder and community relations for public, private and third sector clients.
Last year, it helped promote potential housing sites with a capacity for more than 12,000 homes. This included a successful community engagement campaign in support of the Local Development Order at Gravity in Somerset, which was adopted by Sedgemoor District Council in December last year. The team also supports the regeneration of Gloucester city centre and the delivery of The Forum – a new £107m digital and technology quarter.
Social was founded in Manchester in 2013 and set up its office in Bristol in 2017. Founder John Quinton Barber and Ben Lowndes worked together at a previous agency before 2010.