Martin Powell
Agency Head &
Crisis PR Specialist
About Martin
Martin Powell MCIPR is the Founder & Agency Head of Empica and has advised organisations on public relations, media relations and reputation management for more than 35 years.
A highly experienced communications strategist, media trainer and former journalist, Martin specialises in crisis PR, board-level communications advice, media handling and strategic content development. He has worked with regional, national and international organisations across a wide range of sectors and is recognised for his calm, commercially focused approach to high-profile communications challenges.
Experience & Background
Martin founded Empica in 1989 and has overseen its growth into one of the South West’s best-known PR and communications agencies, supporting clients across the UK and internationally.
Before founding the agency, Martin worked as a journalist covering major regional and national stories. During his journalism career he interviewed senior political figures including the Prime Minister, reported from Ascension Island during the Falklands War, covered proceedings at the House of Lords and reported on trials at the Old Bailey.
His extensive media background continues to shape his strategic communications work today, particularly in media handling, reputation management and crisis communications.
Alongside leading Empica, Martin has advised organisations at board level, delivered media training for senior spokespeople and worked closely with businesses and institutions navigating complex reputational and communications challenges.
For more than 25 years he also lectured MBA students at Ashridge Management College on dealing with the media and public communications.
Crisis PR & Media Training
Martin is particularly recognised for his expertise in crisis communications and media training, supporting organisations and senior leaders during high-pressure and high-profile situations.
His experience includes handling international media interest surrounding Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, travelling internationally with the family and managing worldwide press enquiries across multiple continents.
He has trained spokespeople within major organisations, helping senior teams communicate clearly and confidently during sensitive situations, media scrutiny and reputational challenges.
His approach combines practical newsroom experience with decades of strategic consultancy, ensuring communications advice is grounded, commercially aware and audience-focused.
Content, Writing & Publishing
Alongside his communications consultancy work, Martin is also an established author and content specialist.
He has written both factual and fictional works, including 40 Years of IVF – My Life As The World’s First Test Tube Baby, the biography of Louise Brown, which has been translated into Mandarin Chinese.
Other published works include biographies, regional history titles and business-related publications exploring people, organisations and communities connected to Bristol and the South West.
His longstanding journalism and publishing background continues to inform Empica’s approach to storytelling, content development and media communications.
Selected Experience
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Founder of Empica, established in 1989
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Advising organisations on PR and reputation management for more than three decades
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International media handling surrounding Louise Brown and IVF-related global coverage
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Media training for senior spokespeople and leadership teams
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Former journalist covering national politics, courts and international assignments
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Lecturer on media relations and communications for MBA students at Ashridge Management College
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Director and founding member of Bristol Books CIC
Qualifications & Professional Memberships
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Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (MCIPR)
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National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Proficiency Certificate
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Former journalist