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.

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