Welcome to the first chapter of my story, and the first chapter of your story too! My role at Steele Public Relations Limited, as MD, is to manage your incredible story; dig out all the great angles and grow your audiences and your organisation. You get to choose your narrative, your audience and your format so that your story captures the attention of all those you want to reach.  

But to explain how we can tell YOUR story, let me tell you MY story first! In today’s article, I will let you into a few secrets. 

I got into Journalism at the age of 12. We owned a newspaper and sweet shop. As well as dipping my hand into too many sweetie jars, I also leant against a few gates and read the headlines at 6am while doing a newspaper round.  When Viraj Mendez pleaded sanctuary in a Manchester church I thought I’d go down and see if I could get in and interview him. I did and my school and the local paper ran the story. There, it started. A bug to write. I discovered it was in my blood. My grandfather’s twin sisters were Irish Jounalists, and I had three distant cousins who worked for the nationals.  

Just six years later I was plucked from obscurity to be part of a radio production team to travel to Florida, USA.  It was an experience of a lifetime, but I was so young I couldn’t even drink alcohol. 

I achieved my first qualifications in the unique, fast-moving world of journalism: a 2.1 degree in Leeds University; an NCTJ in Portsmouth; and an MBA Foundation via the Open University.  

I spent nine years working at the Guardian Media Group. I wore plenty of hats, from News Reporter and Content Editor for the Manchester Evening News to the positions of News Reporter and News Producer for Channel M TV. I learned so much and contributed so much within both print and broadcast media during that exhilarating period of my career.  

My first foray into working alongside the public sector comes next. Having served as Media Relations Officer, then Deputy Communications Manager, and finally Head of Communications & Media at Cheshire East Council, I played a vital role in managing the communications channels and public perception of a local government body for close to a decade. In 2015 we won best Council (LGA). During that time, I worked closely with George Osborne’s office as he was the MP for Tatton,  

The lessons from that time of my life would lay the foundations for the organisation whose website you’re currently browsing. So, that’s how we start my story … unless there’s another way? 

How about my freelance consultancy for the communications at London Borough of Brent, which included the initial months of the extremely challenging Coronavirus pandemic? Maybe my roles at Westco in Westminster, the heartland of national government, as well as my consultancy for one of the capital’s most significant local councils, the London Borough of Islington? Or possibly my work as Interim Deputy Director of Communications and Events at SOAS University of London, a highly rewarding opportunity. 

But all of these don’t seem like the most ideal beginning of my story, either. I think I’ve cracked it, though: I, Beverley Walkden, have used all these life experiences, from the highs of influencing Manchester’s first exclusive television channel to the lows of life working remotely under lockdown, to establish my own organisation, Steele Public Relations Limited. Everything I have learned, everything that I offer, and everything that I can deliver all comes together to ensure that Steele Public Relations Limited provides the most credible, growth-orientated solutions for the communication channels of public sector organisations. That’s where we start my story … almost. 

That’s because I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out where to start my story. But to truly kick-start this wonderful tale, it’s not about the “where” … it’s about the “who”. 

And that “who” … is you. 

Because Steele Public Relations Limited are only as strong as the work we carry out for you – the client – and everybody that we work with. My story is directly interlinked with your story. If we can tell your story the right way, then I’m telling my story the right way too. And I want your story to be as exciting, positive and motivating as possible. I want to be mesmerised, captivated, and exhilarated, and it’s very fulfilling that I can help you to bring those emotions to life from your tale. 

So, for me to begin my story, let’s begin working on your story. Our story. 

Learn more about how Steele Public Relations Limited can tell your story by visiting https://steelepublicrelations.co.uk/.