People
The Houston team is a multi-disciplinary group of communications experts comprising ambitious talent from some of the world’s leading public relations agencies. We pride ourselves on championing collaboration, fresh ideas and strategic thinking. We work hard to build and maintain knowledge of our clients’ businesses and industries, provide reassurance and challenge where necessary.
Alexander Clelland
Director*
Alexander has nearly 20 years’ communications experience across both in-house and consultancy roles, with a specialist focus on financial services through roles at RBC, Macquarie and Fitch Ratings. His consultancy experience also spans multiple sectors, including technology, healthcare and media. Developing strategic content-led marketing communications campaigns for clients, Alexander leads Houston teams in designing programmes that meet clients’ commercial objectives through building compelling corporate narratives. Prior to corporate communications, Alexander’s careers included five years as a journalist and previously working as a probation officer.
Anushka Mathew
Account Director
Anushka Mathew is a strategic communications adviser with over nine years of experience. Prior to joining Houston, Anushka was at Teneo where she worked with major businesses, including Jaguar Land Rover and ArcelorMittal, across a range of sectors.
At Houston, Anushka specialises in financial communications and corporate campaigning, including sustainability strategy development. Anushka currently advises Gresham House, Pressure Technologies and Biffa, responsible for providing strategic direction and leading the team to deliver the best possible work for clients.
Ben Robinson
Account Executive
Ben is an experienced Account Executive focused on corporate and financial communications. He works across a range of sectors and is an expert in issues handling, research, analysis and IR support.
At Houston, Ben is responsible for execution and team support, as well as managing the press office of the clients he works with, including for Biffa and Admiral Taverns.
Polly Fairbank
Account Manager
Polly has worked at Houston for a number of years and is highly experienced in corporate and consumer PR. Polly is a key team member of longstanding accounts primarily in the leisure and retail sector including Admiral Taverns, easyHotel and Clintons.
As an Account Manager Polly is usually the day to day contact for clients, responsible for coordinating work among the team at all levels. She is also focused on content strategy and creation, including managing social media channels for several our clients.
Lenka Drablow
Financial Director
Lenka is an ACCA and AAT qualified accountant, holding both FCCA and MAAT memberships. During her career she has worked with numerous businesses across a range of sectors. Lenka leads the finance function at Houston.
Jessica Maciazek
Account Executive
Jessica has a background working in communications across a range of industries. Her holistic experience has helped her work on a number of international and UK based clients, specialising in media relations, research and content creation.
As an Account Executive, Jessica is responsible for communications execution and supporting the wider team. At Houston she works with MISSION, Gresham House and easyHotel.
Kate Hoare
Managing Director*
Kate is an experienced business communications strategist, Kate has over 15 years’ experience of working with companies to successfully implement and execute stakeholder engagement campaigns to promote, protect and enhance reputation. Kate has an excellent track record in advising the Boards and management teams of many UK and international public and private companies on their capital markets communications activity, including corporate transactions, financial calendar reporting and IPOs.
Kate has worked alongside leading brands to create and implement integrated business-to-business, corporate and consumer campaigns, targeted on achieving commercial success. Her experience has spanned all sectors and ranges from FTSE 100 to AIM listed companies, as well as private businesses.
Whilst Kate now leads the Houston business, she remains very much involved with advising clients and providing direction to teams.
Laura Stewart
Account Director
Laura’s background is corporate and financial communications, including integrated campaigning, crisis management and CSR strategy. Laura joined Houston after spending several years at global consultancy Teneo where she advised leading household consumer names such as Heineken, PizzaExpress and Foxtons.
At Houston Laura works on our integrated accounts across a range of sectors including easyHotel, Biffa and MISSION. Laura is responsible for providing senior communications advisory, strategic direction and leading the team to deliver the best possible work for clients.
Fiona Call
Account Manager
Fiona is a media relations specialist with a broad range of sector experience from tech to health to finance. Fiona has strong relationships across an array of the media, including journalists from broadcasters, lifestyle, trade and business outlets. Fiona is also a part-time blogger and has working knowledge of the influencer landscape which is invaluable to her clients.
At Houston Fiona works with clients including Gresham House, Elavon and Muhdo. As an Account Manager, Fiona tends to be the day to day contact for clients.
*Denotes Board Member
Non-executive directors
Alice Kain
Non-executive Director*
Alice has more than 20 years of experience in investor relations and communications. She was Head of IR and Communications for FTSE 250-listed private equity investor, SVG Capital, for more than 17 years. While at SVG Capital she worked on numerous capital market transactions, including equity and debt raises, M&A, strategic reviews and specialist situations.
Zoe Howorth
Chairwoman*
Zoe is a classically trained FMCG marketer, beginning her career at Proctor & Gamble and was most recently Marketing Director at the Coca-Cola Company.
She sits on boards of several entrepreneurial businesses and is a member of WACL, which seeks to inspire and support the next generation of female leaders.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Board of Houston Public Relations Limited is led by Non Executive Chairwoman Zoe Howorth, formerly Marketing Director at the Coca-Cola Company. Zoe is supported by Non-executive Director Alice Kain. Our Executive Leadership team is represented by two directors, led by Managing Director Kate Hoare.
Our Board and Executive Leadership recognise that Houston is, first and foremost, a people business, and we are committed to developing a strong culture embodying the Houston Values. We strive to create a great working environment and provide our people the respect, freedom and support they need to excel for our clients.
Houston Values run throughout our business and are shared by all of us.
Since our inception we’ve worked hard to build enduring relationships with leaders of some truly terrific businesses, supporting their growth, helping them communicate their message and overcome their challenges.
We look to the horizon with excitement, knowing the best years are to come for both our people and our clients.
HOUSTON VALUES
We are committed to long-term and transparent relationships with all our stakeholders, ethical business practices and supporting the health and well-being of our people. These three values and commitments will enable us to drive continued growth and deliver world-class business performance.