Business journalist Joel joins PR team at Freshfield

Freshfield is pleased to announce it has appointed former business journalist Joel Durkin to its PR and content team.

Joel joins us from manufacturing organisation Make UK where he performed a PR and public affairs role.

Prior to this Joel spent two years at influential business publishing and events brand North West Business Insider where he was features editor and later business editor.

He also worked as a business reporter for publishing and data giant Agri Briefing for three years, providing business news and analysis for farmers for its various brands, including Farmers Guardian.

Our managing director, Simon Turner, comments: “Joel’s capabilities in writing, journalism and publishing strengthen what’s already an experienced team. He’s also adept at getting under the skin of businesses, an essential skill in the journey of helping management and marketing teams achieve their goals. We’re delighted with his arrival.”

Joel, who holds a degree in journalism from UCLan, adds: “In the age of content management and self-publishing, traditional journalism and storytelling skills have never been more crucial to effective brand communications.

“Freshfield has long been known for employing people with a strong journalistic pedigree, and I’m proud to be part of this team.”

Joel will help to manage Freshfield’s contract with Lancashire County Council to deliver PR and marketing services for its multi-million-pound Boost business support programme.

He will also advise several other professional and financial services clients on PR, media relations and content strategy.

A bit more about Joel…

Joel lives in Wigan with his fiancée Laura. He’s an avid follower of rugby league and has travelled over land and sea supporting Wigan Warriors. His football loyalties lie in the blue half of Merseyside, but he’s usually busy playing not watching, turning out for his local team in the South Lancashire Sunday League. In the lookalike stakes he’s sometimes mistaken for former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.