• home
• team
• work
• jobs
• explore

Directors

• Siobhán Bales Managing Director

  Siobhan is responsible for preparing bgroup for future growth and managing innovation across the business. The company’s founding partner, Si plays a key role on the boards of Young Enterprise, The Prince’s Trust and Business Link North East. She has also recently accepted a two-year role on an EU Commission exploring future policy on effectively communicating enterprise across Europe.

• Chris Stainthorpe Associate Director and Head of R&D

  Chris started his career in software engineering, before moving on to work within the creative industries and joining bgroup in 2004. As a multi-talented type of guy, Chris has occupied a number of pivotal bgroup roles over the years. Recently promoted into his current dual position, Chris works both on bgroup's strategic direction and business processes, whilst supervising the development and delivery of standalone products, such as the groundbreaking bdaily.

Office

• Margaret Conway Office Manager

  Margaret deals with all areas of finances and general administration for bgroup. With over 35 years’ experience in both the public and private sector and a BSc (Hons) in Human Organisations, she is also the company’s HR Officer.

• Claire Diamond Office Administrator

  Ciara is a folder-filing, phone-call fielding, minute-typing marvel. Too much goes into Ciara’s day for anyone but her to truly understand how she maintains her efficient front of house operations. At the frontline of client relations, Ciara is the face of bgroup and bdaily, and we couldn’t wish for a more cheerful or able representative.

Client Services

• Sophie Hardwick Head of Client Services

  With 15 years experience in managing marketing and business projects, Sophie oversees the progress of clients’ marketing strategies and plans right through from new business to successful delivery. Sophie has managed some of bgroup’s most high profile marketing campaigns, and prior to bgroup worked in marketing, events management and business networks. Sophie was instrumental in setting up the North East’s technology networks, the DMN and Codeworks Connect. She also launched one of the region's best known networking events, Think and a Drink.

• Sharon Keen Senior Business Development Manager

  Working across both bdaily and bgroup, Sharon’s role sees her building contacts, securing new contracts and maintaining strong client relations. In her dual capacity, Sharon occupies a unique position, linking the two businesses and exploiting the connection to benefit both bdaily and bgroup clients. Sharon worked for Global Radio as senior agency account manager and client strategist for 13 years, developing and implementing radio campaigns that ran across entire Global Radio group.

• Kate Hargreaves Business Development Executive

  Kate works as one of the bgroup / bdaily business development team who are responsible for attracting new business to the two companies. Since graduating with an MA in Advertising and Marketing Kate has spent the last five years working in communications and business development for both public and private sector clients including the NHS, Baker Tilly accountants and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

• Colin Thompson Production Manager

  As production manager it’s Colin’s job to ensure every bgroup project runs smoothly by co-ordinating the project management team’s activity through the creative and digital studios. With a BA in graphic design, Colin has over 30 years advertising production experience. He worked in-house for two large regional retail and service companies before moving to the full service agency sector 14 years ago. Colin’s past clients include Electrolux, DeVere Hotels, Bellway Homes, Flymo and MetroCentre.

• Claire Armstrong Senior Project Manager

  With ten years of agency experience, Claire heads up our project management team, overseeing the planning and management of client projects to ensure smooth, timely delivery within budget requirements. Claire supports the project management team as they deliver excellence through careful planning and precise execution. As well as experience delivering large-scale public and private sector projects, Claire has delivered numerous social marketing projects on a local and national level. Her past clients include NHS North East Strategic Health Authority, Gateshead PCT, Newcastle University, Sage and Holland & Barrett.

• Joanne George Project Manager

  Jo is the main client contact for some of bgroup’s biggest accounts. Jo brings four years’ experience and a BA (Hons) in Business to her role, taking each project from initial estimate through to completion. Jo has worked both nationally and internationally with a range of clients, including AstraZeneca, Nestle, Proctor and Gamble, The Sage and The Percy Hedley Foundation.

• Alistair York Junior Project Manager

  Alistair provides an important link between clients and bgroup’s creative teams. From planning campaigns and handling budgets to briefing creative staff, Alistair oversees projects throughout their development for clients including the University of Derby, Newcastle University and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

• Ellie Wilkinson Project Executive

  Ellie’s role is a busy mix of research and communications. As well as sourcing services and gathering campaign information, Ellie works closely with the creative team, keeping them up to date with clients’ requirements. After graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Communications, Ellie worked as a freelance events manager for BALTIC. In 2003 she won The Journal’s Young Journalist of the Year award.

Studio

• Simon Wilson Head of Creative

  Simon heads up the studio and creative concepts. He has over 17 years’ experience working in advertising and design. Simon has worked both nationally and internationally on a range of leading brands, including Mercedes, Sony, Triumph Underwear, Typhoo Tea, FT, Yell and locally for Newcastle College, TyneMet College and The Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

• Rich Endean Senior Creative

  Rich is responsible for many of bgroup’s creative concepts and brand development. He has worked on a number of regional and national campaigns and has six years’ experience working on a wide range of projects from government-backed awareness campaigns to corporate identities for private sector firms. Clients include The Northern Way, Make Your Mark campaign, Endeavour Partnership Business Lawyers and University of Derby.

• Glen Craig Creative Designer

  Glen is responsible for brand development and working up creative concepts. He has worked with an extensive list of high-profile international and national clients during his six years’ agency experience, including Microsoft, Yell, Canterbury Rugby, NHS, Stanleybet, the University of Teesside, Tyne Metropolitan College and Business Link North East.

Digital

• Oli Wood Head of Digital

  Cumbrian-born Oli oversees the work of the digital team, providing the tools and infrastructure they require to function efficiently. As well as planning and managing projects, he works directly with clients, exploring new ways to meet their digital needs. Oli holds both a BSc (Hons) and an MSc in Computer Science from Durham University and is involved in several voluntary community IT projects.

• Alexander Horré Digital Projects Manager

  Hailing from San Francisco, Alex holds a BSc in Entrepreneurial Business Administration and an MSc in E-Business and Information Systems. With a passion for all things web-commerce related, Alex handles a variety of digital projects ranging from web design and planning, operating bgroup’s social media arm, and assisting in IT support.

• Kevin Francis Web Designer

  Kev has over 7 years’ experience designing and developing websites. With expertise in usability and accessibility, Kev’s skills provide the perfect compliment to the work of our studio team. Sites designed by Kev have gained recognition from industry leaders, been listed in web design galleries, and shortlisted for inclusion in books showcasing the best in modern web design.

• Matt Lawson Web Developer

  Matt’s day-to-day role sees him working on the backend of bgroup’s digital projects. He may be adding extensions to clients’ existing sites or developing large member-driven websites such as Women into the Network and NESEP. Since graduating with a first class computer science BSc from Northumbria University, Matt has taken the step from academia to the digital industry in his stride.

Public Relations

• Kate Tullip Head of Public Relations

  Kate leads on the delivery of all PR campaigns across bgroup. With nearly 5 years' experience as a PR consultant, Kate has worked with some of the biggest names in property, construction, retail and education on both a regional and national basis. Well-versed in delivering creative campaigns which capture the attention of the media, Kate has previously worked with clients including Beko Plc, Greggs Plc, Persimmon Homes, Benfield Motor Group and Diageo Plc.

top