Laurence Phillips
PR Manager &
Hospitality PR Specialist
About Laurence
Laurence Phillips is a PR Manager at Empica with more than 30 years’ experience in public relations, media relations and strategic communications.
He specialises in hospitality, leisure, property and commercial communications, supporting organisations with media strategy, crisis management, public consultation and reputation management. Laurence combines extensive agency experience with a highly practical understanding of how businesses communicate with customers, communities, stakeholders and the media.
Career Experience & Background
Laurence has spent more than three decades working across public relations, media relations and marketing, supporting organisations across both B2B and B2C sectors.
He started his media career at a local newspaper in South Wales before moving across to work for marketing and public relations agencies where he’s represented businesses across a wide range of sectors including residential and commercial property, professional services (legal; accountancy; financial services), charity, software developers, supermarket developers and pub retailers and brewers.
With Empica he supported major projects including the development of Harbourside, Bristol; Port Marine, Portishead; Bath Riverside and the development of Cadbury House Hotel, near Bristol. He also headed up public consultation and localism communications for commercial and residential developments and supermarkets.
His work in the hospitality and leisure sector has included representing national restaurant groups, independent hotels and restaurants and businesses involved in the leisure and health sector.
With famed chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White he has worked on promoting a growing restaurant group and arranging interviews for national and international media. He’s also assisted with the promotion of his hotel in Corsham (The Rudloe Arms).
During his career he has also carried out successful PR campaigns for charities, legal firms, breweries and technology businesses.
Media Relations & Communication
Throughout his career Laurence has developed strong relationships across regional, trade and national media, helping clients secure impactful coverage and navigate sensitive communications challenges.
His work regularly combines proactive PR campaigns with crisis communications support, stakeholder engagement and strategic messaging, ensuring organisations communicate clearly and effectively during periods of scrutiny or change.
He also has significant experience in drafting award submissions, internal communications and wider brand messaging.
Key Expertise
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Media relations and press office management
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Hospitality and leisure PR
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Property and regeneration communications
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Crisis communications and reputation management
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Public consultation and community engagement
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Copywriting and content development
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Internal communications
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Strategic PR and marketing planning
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Award entry writing and submissions
Qualifications & Professional Memberships
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Higher National Diploma in Business Studies (Marketing) – University of the West of England
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Professional background spanning PR, marketing, hospitality communications and property development communications
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More than 30 years’ experience working with media, stakeholders and the public
Beyond Work
Outside of work Laurence is a keen cyclist and has completed numerous marathon charity bike rides including London to Paris and Amsterdam to Bristol. He is an assistant leader at his local Explorer Scout Unit (Barracuda Explorers) where he helps mentor and provide experiences for the 40+ registered 14 to 18-year-olds. A keen skier and rugby fan, he generally likes being outdoors with his current challenge being to walk the equivalent of Land’s End to John o’ Groats and back again in 12 months!