Preston’s Audience Development Consultancy
A trio of Preston-based business partners have joined forces to launch Alma, an audience development agency offering a range of services across digital & media, communications & PR, and training.
The partners, Ed Walker, Luke Beardsworth, and Shirah Bamber, have decades of experience between them developing and engaging with a diverse range of digital audiences.
Known locally as the founder of Blog Preston, Ed is a senior editorial leader with significant experience operating at director level for Reach PLC. Also coming from a journalistic background, Luke has worked for key local titles across the UK and, as senior editor, led LancsLive to be recognised as one of the UK’s top 10 regional news websites. From the other side of the fence, Shirah is a strategic communications specialist who met the duo through her former role as Head of Policy and External Relations at Preston City Council, before moving to a national utilities and infrastructure business.
Together they intend to work with clients across the country, providing support to senior leaders, increasing capability and capacity for in-house teams, and delivering bespoke training and workshops where required.
Ed said,
“It’s really exciting to be working with Shirah and Luke to combine and blend our skills and experiences.
“We’re interested in working with businesses who are working with and creating digital content and looking to either get going with a new project or need help accelerating an existing one.
“There’s some really interesting conversations we’ve been having on a number of projects and hope to be able to say more on those in the weeks and months ahead.”
Luke agreed,
“Through Alma, we will able to work with clients across the UK in a variety of sectors – helping them to better understand, grow, and engage with their audiences.
Our varied range of skills and experience complement each other, providing a stronger offer.
Shirah added,
“I am looking forward to collaborating with Ed and Luke to offer clients a wide skillset and comprehensive approach to reaching a diverse range of audiences.
With decades of experience in journalism, communications, and engagement between us, we will help clients find the right solution to achieve their ambitions.”
Alma 