Strategic PR for B2B organisations
About Barker Communications
Barker Communications advises business-to-business organisations on using public relations to support their commercial objectives.
We work with boutique, high-growth entrepreneurial companies through to established global leaders and develop national and international PR campaigns.
Much of our work is for professional services firms operating across a broad range of sectors, from automotive, energy and financial services, to life sciences, retail and technology.
We are a senior team and all of us have spent many years in public relations. The benefit to clients is that their work is done by highly experienced practitioners only.
- We partner closely with clients and see ourselves as an extension of their in-house team.
- We bring ideas, energy and solutions. We are hard-working and take a straight talking and open approach.
- Our work has been award winning and nominated.
How we can help you
We provide bespoke, consultative solutions for all of our clients. Some of our services are below.
MESSAGING
Helping to define your differentiation, backed up with proof points, and articulate your vision and go-to-market messages.
Strategy
Creating a targeted and channel based strategy to deliver your communications objectives, building authority and reputation.
MEDIA
Proactive relationship building with journalists and placement of your news and expert perspectives in the media read and viewed by your target audiences.
Drafting
Writing copy, from press releases, blogs and news comments to ghost written articles for your spokespeople.
Thought Leadership
Creation of topical research-based white papers designed for broad marketing impact.
Events
Leveraging your events for media interest and generating speaking opportunities at influential external platforms.
Digital
Advising on social media and search engine optimisation.
Reporting
Regular progress reports to update on activity and results.
Crisis Management
Providing advice and action 24/7 in the event of a crisis situation.
Selected client experience
We have worked with many leading business-to-business organisations, especially professional services firms in accountancy, consulting, energy, executive search, law and technology.
The team
SIMON BARKER
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Simon established Barker Communications in 2015. He has more than 20 years’ experience as a public relations adviser to business-to-business organisations. Simon has led national, European and global media campaigns and research-based thought leadership white paper projects. His work has been award-winning and nominated. Clients have included: Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Control Risks, CMS, Cooley, L.E.K. Consulting, Mayer Brown, RSM and Russell Reynolds Associates.
Paul Arvanitopoulos
CONSULTANT
Paul has worked at leading corporate communications consultancies for 15 plus years. He has a proven track record in devising and managing multi-channel global campaigns for professional and financial services companies and has a strong network of contacts in tier one business media. Clients Paul has advised include: Astbury Marsden, Brown Rudnick, Nockolds, Pinsent Masons, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, UHY Hacker Young and Trowers & Hamlins and Wedlake Bell.
ROLAND DANIELLS
CONSULTANT
Roland has been a corporate communications adviser to global organisations for over 25 years and has particular expertise in working with professional services and technology companies. Professional services clients Roland has advised include: AB Law, Catalyst Advisors, Hardwicke, Russell Reynolds Associates, The Corporate Risk Group and Whitehead Mann. His technology experience includes working with Capco, Cyberdesk, ebookers, Infonet, KPMG Metrius, Siemens and Xerox.
Peter Hetman
ADVISER
Peter’s career in the City of London stretches back 17 years, following undergraduate studies at Imperial College and an MBA from HEC Paris. His experience focuses on capital markets, and strategic public and investor relations, supporting European blue-chip companies and advising their management teams on how best to communicate with the global financial markets.
What clients say
I worked with Simon for a number of years in my role at Russell Reynolds Associates and found his advice practical and supportive, whether managing difficult (crisis) communications, delivering success stories or developing thought leadership. Most importantly, Simon focuses on developing a communications strategy that is aligned to that of his client and which reaches the desired target audience.
Fiona Sigee, Osborne Clarke
Business Development Director
Simon helped make a significant difference to our media profile, building relationships for us with senior journalists and generating regular commentary for the firm in some of the most influential international media outlets.
Georgina Parkes, Control Risks
Group Communications Director
Simon worked very closely with us, helping transform CMS’s profile in the English language international media, creating opportunities in titles such as The Economist, FT and Wall Street Journal and important publications in our core industry sectors. He takes a very straight-talking, proactive and can-do approach.
Amanda Lietz, CMS Legal Services
Senior Communications Manager
In over 20 years in the communications business, Simon is one of the most exceptional advisers I have ever worked with. He has outstanding contacts in the national, broadcast and sector specialist media, and has an established ability to deliver the sort of FT, Economist and BBC coverage that clients really want.
Michael Henman, Markel International
Director, Marketing Communications