About
Senior-led strategic communications for organisations navigating growth, complexity and change.
01/Who We Are
Shift was built around a different way of working – closer, more commercially aware and more strategically connected. We work with organisations that want communications grounded in real business understanding, not disconnected agency activity. That means taking time to understand commercial pressures, markets, internal dynamics and long-term direction before deciding what communications should actually do. Most of our work sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, organisational change, technical storytelling, regulation and reputation management. We're as comfortable shaping strategic direction in the boardroom as we are delivering campaigns, media relations and content that bring those strategies to life.
02/Our Approach
Commercially grounded
We start with business objectives, not communications outputs. Strategy comes before activity.
Close to the work
Senior people stay involved throughout. We build relationships by understanding organisations properly, not managing from a distance.
Clear and credible
We help organisations communicate complex ideas with clarity, confidence and substance – especially in sectors where scrutiny matters.
03/The Team
Emma Smith
Managing Director
Emma founded Shift 16 years ago with the belief that communications should support commercial progress, not simply generate visibility. A strategic marketer at heart, she works closely with clients to shape strategy, messaging, reputation and positioning around wider business goals, particularly within complex, technical and fast-moving sectors. Valued as an indispensable extension of her clients' teams, she is known for building long-term relationships and providing trusted strategic counsel that helps organisations navigate change, seize opportunities and achieve sustainable growth.
Alexandra Poole
Client Director
Alex leads client delivery across Shift's marketing and communications work, bringing structure and momentum to complex projects and ensuring ideas translate into campaigns that are delivered effectively and with purpose. Working across PR, content and campaigns, she helps bring ideas to life through clear planning, creative thinking and attention to detail. Calm in nature and a passionate writer, storyteller and creative communicator, she specialises in crafting impactful content that helps clients tell their stories with clarity and confidence.
Dan Jenkins
Media Director
Dan helps clients turn complex propositions into clear, compelling narratives that support commercial growth. Drawing on extensive experience across construction, manufacturing and technology sectors, he specialises in positioning, thought leadership and integrated campaign strategy. A seasoned PR professional and accomplished writer, Dan's strengths lie in securing meaningful media coverage, building influential relationships and developing content that strengthens reputations.
Drew Nixon
Client Partner, Brand & Influence
Drew is a business communications strategist, brand builder and copy-led creative who helps organisations bring their stories to life. Layering strategic thinking with creative execution, he works across messaging, content and visual storytelling to ensure every communication has purpose, clarity and impact. His focus is always on delivering the right ideas, in the right way, to support commercial objectives and create meaningful results.
Zoe Barlow
Client Partner, Events
Zoe specialises in creating and delivering events that connect brands with the people who matter most. With a talent for organisation and a natural ability to bring people together, she manages complex projects with confidence, energy and attention to detail. From planning through to delivery, she ensures every event runs smoothly, achieves its objectives and leaves a lasting impression.
Emily Smith
Client Partner, Digital & Social Media
Emily works across digital strategy, social media and consumer PR, helping brands build campaigns that connect with real audiences online. Combining creative content development with a strong understanding of social platforms, she creates engaging campaigns designed to strengthen visibility, build communities and drive meaningful engagement. Her multimedia skills bring an added dimension to content creation and campaign delivery.
Charlie French
Client Executive, Digital & Social Media
Charlie brings together photography, videography and graphic design to create visual content that helps brands stand out. He works across a wide range of multimedia projects to support campaigns, strengthen brand identity and enhance audience engagement. His versatile skillset enables ideas to be brought to life across multiple channels and formats.
Luke Hough
Digital Director
Luke leads digital marketing strategy with a clear focus on commercial growth, positioning and performance. He works closely with leadership and commercial teams to develop joined-up campaigns, strengthen messaging and ensure digital activity supports wider business objectives. His approach combines strategic thinking with measurable delivery, helping organisations turn opportunity into revenue.
Matt Lambert
Graphic Designer
Matt specialises in graphic design and visual media, helping brands communicate clearly and effectively through compelling creative assets. Balancing strong design principles with a practical understanding of business objectives, his work turns ideas into distinctive visual identities that strengthen recognition, support campaigns and help brands stand out in competitive markets.
