These are our people, plus a selection of the individuals and companies that make up our partners. We’re not a closed shop – we’re flexible about how we work and who we collaborate with. If you’re interested in working with us then we’d love to hear from you.
Rob Gray
Founder / Planner & Producer
Rob began his career as a Planner at the advertising agency TBWA\, working on a range of communication, innovation and branding projects for clients such as: Schwans (Chicago Town), Brother, Henkel (Sellotape, No More Nails, UniBond) and ATS Euromaster. After rising through the ranks he left to work freelance, quickly teaming up with leading agencies across old and new communications disciplines. National and international work followed for brands such as: Royal Mail, Asda, Sage, Superdrug, Punch Taverns, Beaverbrooks, Brother, The Macallan, Atkins, DHL and Vertu. In 2008 Rob founded Squad, allowing him to combine his strategic skills with leading multi-disciplinary teams, to create brands, campaigns, products and services.
DAVID BARRACLOUGH
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
David has spent 17 years working in brand building and his experience is broad. He started his career as a designer and art director – his work being spotted by Manchester’s creative hotshop, Cheetham Bell (latterly CheethamBellJWT), where he became Head of Design. After a number of years building their design credentials, David launched CBJWT’s specialist design arm, Germ Creative, in 2001. During this time he produced acclaimed work for the likes of: Magnet, Silentnight, Bradford & Bingley, Berghaus, Lipton, Casio and Umbro. Dave is a joint founder of Barraclough Associates and has been a key part of Squad since 2009.
Lindsay Gregory
Producer
After starting her career on the client side, Lindsay then spent time at McCann-Erickson London followed by a further 11 years at JWT (latterly CheethamBellJWT). While at JWT, her roles included a rather unusual one as Brand Manager for the development and launch of Oblivion at Alton Towers – managing all Alton Towers’ agencies. There after she became Account Director, and then Client Services Director, working across a number of the agency’s key accounts including COI, Casio and The Tussauds Group. Lindsay is a joint founder of Barraclough Associates and has been a key part of Squad since 2009.
Liz Bielinska
Researcher and Planner
Liz has been in account planning for 17 years and market research for 21 years. After graduating from the London School of Economics, she began her communications agency career in 1994 at BDH in Manchester. She then moved to Martin Williams Advertising in the USA to run the Account Planning department. While working for clients such as Target, LL Bean and E*TRADE, Liz pioneered creative thinking techniques and brand strategy development processes. After returning to the UK, Liz set up her own consultancy business, Planning Express, in 2007.
Rebecca Ashley
Researcher and Planner
Rebecca is a MMU Business graduate with 14 years account planning experience under her belt. For 10 years she worked at TBWA\Manchester where she most recently held the position of Planning Director, working across a variety of high profile accounts including Carex, Morrisons, ghd, and ODEON cinemas. Rebecca joined Planning Express in 2008 and has since worked with agencies to develop effective planning processes, helped win pitches and developed brand propositions and creative work that grows business. She has come face-to-face with, amongst others, teenage boys, sexist men, pregnant smokers, unhygienic chefs, hauliers, head teachers, and holidaymakers – all in the name of planning.
Suzanne Judge
Public Relations
A true marketing and communications professional, Suzanne successfully worked in-house within a variety of sectors, prior to joining leading communications agency, Staniforth, in 2005. In her role as Managing Partner at Staniforth, Suzanne led teams responsible for the development of strategy and implementation of effective campaigns for leading companies including: Shell, Norwich Union, RAC, English Partnerships, the Environment Agency and NHS Trusts. Suzanne jointly established Judge and Howard in 2007, working with clients Brother, EMIS, Ainscough Crane Hire, NWDA and Debt Advice Foundation.
Libby Howard
Public Relations
Libby is an award-winning professional with more than 20 years’ experience of newspaper journalism, in-house and agency communications work. She has held senior management positions at the BBC and Staniforth\TBWA and offers a wide range of experience and contacts across the private and public sectors. Libby jointly established Judge and Howard in 2007, working with clients Brother, EMIS, Ainscough Crane Hire, NWDA and Debt Advice Foundation.
Mando Group
Digital
After over a decade in business – a long time in the digital world – Mando are recognised as one of the top 10% of digital agencies nationwide. They are preferred suppliers to the BBC, NHS, Health and Safety Executive and Vodafone. Their large digital team means they understand all the necessary technologies to deliver enterprise-level web sites and rich internet applications, for web and mobile platforms.
