We are Alma.
With decades of experience in journalism, communications and project management between us, we work with clients to find creative and effective solutions – often acting as an extension of the team already in place.
We offer consultancy and training services to clients of all shapes and sizes across the UK, based on our individual expertise, also offering clients the added value of our combined insight.
Shirah Bamber
Shirah has extensive experience across the public, private and third sectors, providing in-house and external support across a wide variety of industries.
With a strong background in delivering strategic communications, marketing and engagement services, Shirah has also led multi-stakeholder projects on themes ranging from climate action plans to economic development, innovation to placemaking.
Shirah also has experience delivering high-profile policy agendas such as Community Wealth Building (the Preston Model), collaborating to achieve ambitious outcomes.
Shirah has a demonstrable track record acting as a senior advisor to the C-Suite, helping businesses and organisations identify and achieve their objectives.
Luke Beardsworth
Luke is a rising editorial star with a strong track record of building northern digital audiences.
He has worked for key local titles across the UK, including the Birmingham Mail, Bristol Post, Plymouth Herald, Hull Daily Mail, and Burton Mail before launching LancsLive in 2019.
As senior editor, Luke led LancsLive to become one of the UK’s top 10 regional news websites. Through LancsLive, Luke worked as a media partner to support charities, such as Burnley FC in the Community, to engage with local audiences to run successful high-profile fundraising events.
Luke also launched Curiously, a new youth-focused content brand across social and video platforms.
More recently, he has worked with local businesses on campaigns, profile boosting and more.
Ed Walker
An experienced media leader, journalist and entrepreneur, Ed is able to bring his knowledge from senior roles held at the UK’s largest commercial multimedia publisher to newsrooms and organisations of any size, scale or structure.
A ‘key part’ of Reach PLC’s digital transformation he is also founder and editor of one of the UK’s leading independent news websites and social channels Blog Preston.
An award-winning and campaigning editor and journalist, Ed is able to bring together disparate partners to collaborate on social value and civic campaigns.
He also brings his expertise into the education setting working closely with the University of Lancashire as a leader-in-residence for journalism and leading the journalism innovation element of the university’s cutting-edge journalism leadership and innovation programme.
Alma expertise at a glance
We work with clients across the UK, providing strategic advice and support to senior leaders, increasing capability and capacity for in-house teams and delivering bespoke training, coaching and workshops.
“Their ability to take an idea and then bring it to life, in a compelling and quality way, is first class.”
Mike Harris
Alma 