MARTIN POWELL (MCIPR) - Managing Director

Martin Powell has been advising on public relations and carrying out publicity campaigns for a wide range of national and regional businesses, and organisations since 1989.

Before moving into Public Relations, Martin was Chief Reporter of the Bristol Evening Post for many years, with assignments that included reporting from the House of Lords and the Old Bailey. During his time with the Post he interviewed the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and covered international events including the Falklands War from Ascension Island, the Brinks Mat robbery as well as the Gary Glitter sex scandal.

A Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Martin lectures on handling the media on the Ashridge Management Training College MBA and has provided practical media training for a wide range of international clients, including banks, public bodies, large manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. He holds National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) qualifications.

His public relations experience covers most sectors and he has been involved in high level management of the media in crisis situations.

LAURENCE PHILLIPS - Account Director

With over 12 years experience of public relations and marketing, Laurence has worked across a range of industry sectors including professional services, software development, charity, hotel and leisure, pub retailing, property development (residential and commercial) and publishing.

Before joining Empica (Formerly Martin Powell Communications), Laurence worked within the regional press (South Wales) as marketing manager and has an in-depth knowledge of regional and local press.

Having moved into the agency world he has been involved in devising and implementing marketing and PR campaigns for a range national and locally based clients.

ANITA ALEXANDER - Commercial Manager

Anita Alexander has worked in the public relations industry since 1986. She has organised events throughout the UK and dealt with just about every type of media situation, from dealing with newspaper journalists through to major media launches and press conferences.

Anita has a wide knowledge of print and design, having worked previously in the print machinery industry and she has the vital role of ensuring projects run on time and within budgets. Her management skills extend to detailed event organisation for both Empica and its clients.

JUDITH SKORUPSKI - Account Manager - London

Before joining the company Judith worked in new media as news manager of the government's website UK Online and was in daily contact with 10 Downing Street.

Her career also includes producing for both national BBC and ITV television, including Trevor MacDonald Meets for ITN; and in radio for stations including BBC local radio, GWR FM and Network News, and in newspapers including national and regional titles.

CLARE FOWLER - PR Account Manager

Clare graduated from University College Plymouth, St Mark and St John (Marjon) in Public Relations and Management and joined Empica in 2009. Her degree included modules on media relations, internal communications and marketing.

She was born and brought up in Somerset and spent her school work experience working with the Empica team. She brings fresh ideas to the business and assists with the online and modern communication methods.

AVINASH PATIL - On-line Public Relations Manager

Avinash graduated from City University, London in Media Communication Systems and moved to Bristol in June 2006.

Since then he has gained experience working in PR Agencies in Bristol along with some Volunteer Work at Bristol's CREATE centre. In the current environment of new and evolving media clients now need to pay more attention to their reputation online. Avinash combines his knowledge of conventional PR and IT/Web skills to deliver clients new opportunities in getting their messages out on the internet. At the moment he is pioneering online public relations strategies using Social Media, Blogs and other web tools.

KAYLEIGH SYDENHAM - PR Manager/ writer

Kayleigh graduated in English Language from the University of the West of England and joined Empica in 2009. Her experience includes an internship with the Meningitis Research Foundation's communications office. A Bristolian, she is enthusiastic about carrying out public relations campaigns.

ELAINE NELSON-SMITH - Administrator

Before joining the Martin Powell Communications team, Elaine Nelson-Smith spent more than 20 years working in the travel industry. She embarked on her career in her native South Africa and travelled the world extensively before settling in Britain. She brings to the team a wealth of experience in administration and, among her many duties, daily updates the TV and radio exposure database and distributes cuttings to our clients.

MALCOLM FRITH - Broadcast/ multi-media consultant

Malcolm Frith is one of the South West region's best known radio and television correspondents having spent over thirty years as a reporter and Business Correspondent for the BBC.

He began his career working for the Gazette series of newspapers in Gloucestershire.

From there he crossed the border to South Wales working on evening and weekly newspapers, before returning to Bristol to work for a national news agency.

Malcolm joined the BBC in 1974. and covered some of the region's biggest stories from the St Paul's riots to the opening of the Second Severn Crossing.

In his role as a BBC Business Correspondent he won numerous awards including the prestigious national BT Award. He joined Empica in May 2008 to head up the broadcast and multi-media services and is now an external consultant to the business on multi-media matters.