Former Citypress director, Chris Marritt, has launched an independent consultancy to help leaders communicate with clarity and confidence in high-pressure moments.
Castle Comms will focus on media and presentation training for leaders, and crisis communications for brands, and will work both directly with organisations and in partnership with agencies across the UK.
Marritt began his career as a news journalist, working for the Press Association and Daily Mail before moving into PR and communications 20 years ago, with the past 12 years spent at Citypress, working across its biggest accounts. Marritt joined Citypress as a senior account director in January 2014, ultimately working his way up to director level. He has also served stints at Weber Shandwick’s regional arm, Beattie Communications and Mason Media.
Most recently, he was head of Citypress’s crisis and issues practice and its leadership training offer.
During that time, he has supported senior figures across a range of sectors prepare for a series of landmark broadcast interviews while also coaching hundreds of new spokespeople ahead of their first engagements with media, or honing their presentation skills for opportunities ranging from board reports to conference keynotes.
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His issues management experience included advising clients across Citypress’s stable of clients on reputational issues ranging from customer complaints to major change management programmes.
Marritt said: “We all know that when the spotlight is on, we don’t rise to the occasion so much as sink to the level of the work we’ve done in advance. But the reality is that working on the uncertain threats and opportunities that might be waiting for us is never going to take top priority.
“I formed Castle to make that preparation seem less daunting, more beneficial to everyday situations and to make the process as effective and efficient as possible. Because by using our time wisely now, we can make sure we’re match fit when opportunity knocks or when the stakes rise.”
Based in Manchester, Castle Comms will work with leaders from household name brands, FTSE-listed businesses and complex organisations across the UK.
