“Reputation is the result of what you do, what you say and what others say about you”
Phil Smith Communications is a specialist independent PR, communications and stakeholder engagement consultancy. With over 20 years’ experience, Phil provides reputation management services to universities, multi-academy trusts, schools, education businesses, and professional institutions.
Strategy
Audience-focused PR, communications and stakeholder engagement strategies to meet profile, reputation and business development objectives.
Delivery
From media relations to award entries and policy engagement to internal communications, strategies are executed with exceptional content creation.
Training
Supporting in-house professional development through informed media and communications training, as well as high-level strategic advice and counsel.
Phil Smith Communications delivers excellent results in communications strategy, media relations and staff engagement informed by a deep knowledge of the education sector. Working with Phil is effortless, a short briefing produces the right outcomes every time.
Tim Watkinson, Director of Communications and Engagement, University of Leeds
With Phil’s help our media presence has grown exponentially, as have invitations for us to speak at national events and a range of conferences across the country. We would recommend Phil’s services without hesitation.
Emma Hollis, Chief Executive, National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers
Phil Smith Communications is a highly professional and effective outfit. With each project we have worked on with Phil we have seen real impact and success both in terms of the coverage received and project objectives being met.
Sam Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Winchester
Phil is friendly, a good listener, purposeful and focused. He also offers ideas and signposts us to a range of opportunities. I would recommend working with Phil; he brings a refreshing dimension to our trust.
Lesley Birch, Deputy CEO, Meridian Trust
Phil Smith Communications provides a professional but friendly consultancy service that is always a pleasure to work with. His higher education sector understanding and knowledge, matched with his approach and skills, means I would not hesitate in recommending him.
Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership, Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association
I would not hesitate in recommending working with Phil if you would like to find time to write more opinion pieces and disseminate research work to the general HE sector.
Professor Harriet Dunbar-Morris, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Buckingham
Phil created a formal PR/communications strategy for the trust, and as a central team we have been able to use this document and align it to our growth strategy. We now have a much better understanding of what we need to do and which strengths to focus on.
Ryan Powner, Chief Finance and Operations Officer, Prince Regent Street
Phil Smith Communications is an experienced, intuitive education consultancy. I recommend him whether you are looking to outsource specific projects, need leadership training and support for the top table, or media support day-to-day to boost your external profile.
Emma Wray, Head of Communications and External Relations, University for the Creative Arts
I have worked with Phil in three different organisations. Not only is he organised and efficient, he is really easy to get on. I really appreciate how he takes the time to understand the challenges we face and come up with new ways to help us achieve our goals.
John Atherton, Vice President - Sales (EMEA), Explorance
Phil’s training gave me time to think and develop my knowledge and understanding about the media and the messages we portray. I would recommend Phil to others interested in developing their understanding of PR and brand perception.
Sarah Hand, Head of System Leadership, Inspiring Futures through Learning
I have worked with a variety of PR firms over the years in education, but Phil’s experience and network really puts him above the crowd. His trusted position allows him to dial straight into education leaders.
Will Jordan, Co-Founder, IMP Software
Phil's ability to craft compelling narratives and engage with key influencers has resulted in heightened brand recognition. Through his efforts, we have witnessed an increase in media coverage and online presence.
Anouck Weiss, Chief Communications Officer, Sommet Education
I would strongly recommend Phil to any organisation looking for an advisor that cares as much about your strategic goals as you do. He never fails to bring more to the table than you may have considered, and is a first-class PR professional.
Owen Morris, Deputy Director – Public Relations and Corporate Communications, University of Northampton
Phil's work has certainly had a positive impact on our school as we are receiving a lot of positive feedback, and our reputation is spreading far and wide. He works effectively and with integrity.
Kathryn Pennington, Headteacher, East Hunsbury Primary School
Phil gets straight to the nub of the issue. He has a great understanding of the education system and is very easy to get on with, always delivering projects to time and budget. I would have no hesitation in recommending Phil.
Chris Ratcliffe, Head of Education, Scholastic UK
With his knowledge and experience in the education sector, Phil was quick to understand what I needed and supported us in finding the right branding and creating excellent content.
Anna Richards, Executive Leader, Suffolk and Norfolk SCITT
We brought in Phil Smith Communications to provide in-depth media training for some of our key academics. Phil was great to work with: he had the right approach and knowledge to encourage the participants, giving them the skills needed to handle interviews confidently.
Judy Wing, PR and External Communications Lead, Loughborough University
Phil was great to work with, quick to understand our objectives, and consistently delivered results. I would be very happy to recommend him to others.
Stephen Hillier, Senior Marketing Manager, Nottingham Trent University
Through our discussions, Phil’s calm approach and thought-provoking questions transform these conversations into informative and inspiring articles and blogs.
Hayley Sherwood, Founder, 1decision
Phil Smith Communications acts as our retained PR consultancy and has dramatically increased our profile. Phil has brought his commercial acumen, knowledge of PR and media, and creative skills to our organisation and been responsive and professional throughout.
Nigel Wilcock, Executive Director, Institute of Economic Development