PR, SOCIAL MEDIA, EVENT & COPYWRITING SPECIALISTS

Black Vanilla has a core team of PR, content creation, copywriting, social media and event experts who work with an extended family of talented marketing professionals who bring their own expertise to our campaigns. Together we’re better.

NICHOLE CULVERWELL, CHART. PR, FCIPR

Director

Expertise: Nichole manages the business and leads all client services at Black Vanilla. She has worked in the public relations industry for over three decades and draws on her years of experience to advise business leaders on reputation management strategies to help them meet their organisation’s goals.

Nichole is a CIPR Fellow and Chartered CIPR practitioner, the highest accreditation in professional public relations practice. She also has a CIPR Specialist Diploma in Crisis Communications and has trained in sustainability communications. She is an active member of the Guernsey Institute of Directors committee and the Guernsey Green Forum.

Background: Nichole has worked in London and Sydney and is experienced in many industry sectors, including healthcare, financial services, publishing and FMCG. In addition to working in-house and in one of the UK’s largest agencies, she set up and ran her own boutique PR company in London. 

Why we love Nichole: Nichole brings energy, unparalleled PR experience, and communications acumen to Black Vanilla’s integrated marketing campaigns. She thinks strategically, solves problems, understands the power of influence, and is skilled at aligning different viewpoints.

Outside of work: On weekends you will find her watching her sons play hockey, swimming in the sea or at the gym. She also loves to cook and is passionate about health and wellbeing.

CHLOE CHESCOE, CHART.PR, ACIPR

Senior Account Manager – PR

Expertise: Chloe is a chartered practitioner who leads and delivers a range of campaigns for our financial services and consumer clients. She utilises her network of global media contacts to create diverse campaigns for several organisations. Chloe specialises in crisis communications and is a trained Mental Health First Aider. Chloe also supports the agency with HR and operational duties. 

Background: Chloe has over ten years’ experience working in Guernsey and London. She began her career in a local PR agency before transitioning to an in-house comms role for a local law firm.

After gaining valuable experience in the legal sector, Chloe headed to the “Big Smoke” to work for an international law firm before returning to the island in 2020. She has worked for a range of B2B, consumer and third-sector clients, with particular expertise in the legal and financial services industries.

Why we love Chloe: Happy to roll up her sleeves and dive into work, Chloe’s “can-do” attitude, energy and people skills reflect many of Black Vanilla’s values; she has her eye on every client campaign and is always ready to help.

Outside of work: In her spare time, Chloe enjoys country living and walking her dog, Honey, in her new hometown outside of Bristol. She’s usually found with a gin and tonic in hand!

SARAH ALLUM

Account Director, Jersey – PR

Expertise: Sarah leads the agency’s business development and client relationship management in Jersey.  She started her PR career shortly after moving to Jersey 16 years ago and she brings a wealth of business experience from working for a Times top 100 firm to SMEs and start-ups into her PR work.

Background: Sarah has worked as both in-house and freelance PR consultant with particular experience in crisis management, internal communications, stakeholder and media management, copywriting and end-to-end strategic PR campaign management for the tech, finance, health and fitness, and manufacturing sectors.

As well as her PR experience, Sarah has attained the CIM diploma and undertook the HeartCore Leadership Certificate.

Why we love Sarah: Sarah’s PR and people skills make her the perfect person to lead Black Vanilla’s offering in Jersey. She understands how businesses operate and the importance of good communications to help organisations reach their goals.

Outside of work: Sarah enjoys feeding people, walking her dog and ironing with a glass of wine.  She will often be found messing around in her vegetable patch.

CAROLYN VAN VLIET

Senior PR Consultant

Expertise: Carolyn is a seasoned consultant specialising in delivering integrated communication strategies that drive results. A strong advocate for data-driven communications, Carolyn earned a CAM Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, where she specialised in metrics and analytics. This gives her a unique ability to combine creative PR strategies with measurable outcomes, ensuring that every campaign aligns with her clients’ business objectives. Carolyn works closely with clients in finance, public services, technology, and hospitality, offering bespoke consultancy services tailored to each sector’s needs. With a love of the written word, Carolyn is also a keen copywriter particularly interested in optimised digital content that maintains a strong brand voice.

Background: Carolyn began her career in London, specialising in consumer and corporate travel PR. Since returning to Guernsey, Carolyn widened her scope of work to focus on marketing and digital communications as well as traditional PR. Working as a PR and marketing consultant since 2022, Carolyn focuses on integrated campaigns for a variety of clients across financial services, insurance, technology and public services.

Why we love Carolyn: Carolyn is an invaluable asset to both our clients and team. She blends her extensive PR expertise with a data-driven approach to deliver strategic, results-oriented communication campaigns. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and tailor consultancy services sets her apart.

Outside of work: Carolyn enjoys busy days running after her three children and boisterous golden retriever – who all keep her very much on her toes!

KATY MELHUISH

Senior Account Manager – PR

Expertise:  Katy is a skilled senior account manager with six years of public relations experience gained working across several sectors, including financial services, healthcare, travel and retail.

Specialising in copywriting and data analysis, she applies her strengths and knowledge of the media landscape to identify the next big story for her clients.

Background: Katy holds a degree in Public Relations & Advertising from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. and began her career in-house in the consumer PR team at Specsavers before moving to London to expand her industry experience.

Since then, she has worked for and gained valuable experience with some of London’s leading PR agencies, managing a roster of clients and working across a number of large-scale campaigns and projects.

Why we love Katy: Katy’s career has given her plenty of front-line national media experience and she has first-class media contacts. She knows how to craft stories for both business and consumer media to deliver on clients’ strategic objectives.

Outside of work: A wannabe jet-setter, Katy loves nothing more than planning her next adventure. When she’s not looking at getaways, she’s testing her culinary skills with a new recipe or watching her beloved Arsenal.

NATALIE DAVIDSON

Event Consultant

Expertise: Natalie brings over 25 years of event management experience to Black Vanilla. As a freelance consultant, Natalie applies her extensive knowledge of the local landscape and her unrivalled network of contacts to deliver some of the Bailiwick’s most popular business and community events.

Background: Natalie has honed her event marketing skills through roles in both London and Guernsey. She started her career with a classical artist management company, where she organised orchestral tours that spanned the globe, before managing events for the Prince’s Trust and Royal British Legion.

Here in Guernsey, Natalie is probably best known for her role at the Guernsey Event Company. During her 11 years with the business, Natalie spearheaded the creation and implementation of some of Guernsey’s largest events, including, amongst others, the Guernsey Air Display, Guernsey Awards for Achievement, Proms on the Pier, charity bike rides to France with Only Fools and Donkeys, and British Irish Council Summit meetings in Guernsey and Jersey as well as countless bespoke events for a wide range of corporates and charities.

Why we love Natalie: Natalie applies the same level of professional expertise to every brief she handles. Whether working on big-budget corporate events or smaller, community initiatives, her ‘can-do’ attitude, attention to detail and strong work ethic ensure impeccable client service and a seamless event experience from start to finish.

Outside of work: Natalie can be found spending time with her two growing sons supporting their myriad sporting and musical activities, playing the clarinet or walking Poppy, their fox-red Lab.

KRISTA OSBORNE, ACIPR

Account Manager – Digital & Events

Expertise: Krista has become well-versed in organising both consumer and corporate events, proving her organisation skills and ability to think on her feet. A number of local companies entrust their social media management to Krista, which is a testament to her skill and judgment. This also includes content creation, including film and graphics, for many clients in a number of different sectors.

Background: Krista graduated from the University of Sussex in 2019 and joined the Black Vanilla team shortly after. With a deep interest in social media, Krista runs her own Instagram account, blog and TikTok profile, largely promoting plant-based recipes. She has developed a further understanding of social media analytics through experience and ongoing professional development and has honed her account management skills throughout her time with the agency. Krista works alongside Natalie Davidson on larger-scale events and has recently taken on new challenges of organising her own events from start to finish.

Why we love Krista: Krista is a highly organised, energetic team player who gets things done with the kind of efficiency you’d expect from an industry old-timer. We know she’ll go far and we’re excited to watch her continue her journey with the BV team.

Outside of Work: Krista enjoys spending time in the kitchen creating plant-based recipes for her blog or cosying down with a cup of tea and a good book.

CHLOE PRICE, ACIPR

Senior Account Executive – PR

Expertise: Chloe supports clients with all aspects of public relations, from copywriting and media relations to social media and graphic creation. Chloe is our ‘CSR champion’ and can be seen helping BV and our clients to build positive relationships between organisations and the local charities they support.

Background: Chloe joined Black Vanilla in July 2021 after graduating from the University of Brighton with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. Throughout her time at BV, she has strengthened her public relations experience and has worked across multiple jurisdictions in several sectors such as financial services, leadership and healthcare. Chloe has completed her PR foundation course and has recently completed her PR certificate and her Carbon Literacy accreditation.

Why we love Chloe: Chloe’s can-do attitude and organised manner prove to be a great asset to BV. She is willing to jump straight in, what more could we ask for?

Outside of Work: Chloe relocated to Manchester in August 2023 and you will no doubt find her exploring the Northern Quarter. She is also an avid reader so you will usually find her curled up on a cold day with a book and a cup of tea.

ALEC FARRELL

Junior Account Executive – PR & Digital

Alec graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2023 with a degree in Sports Journalism. Throughout his studies, Alec exercised his copywriting, digital editing and conversational skills, all revolving around his passion for sport. Alec studied English at A-level and has since evolved his writing to suit a variety of styles.

Background: Before entering his third year at university, Alec spent the summer working as an intern at the Guernsey Press, developing his journalist skills as a sports and news reporter. He completed his dissertation exploring Twitter’s impact on journalism, deepening his understanding of the importance of social media in today’s media landscape.  

Why we love Alec: We love that Alec always puts up his hand to ask a question. He constantly wants to learn and improve on his already great writing skills.

Outside of Work: Alec likes to keep fit by going to the gym or playing football with friends in his free time. When the sun is out, he enjoys swimming in the sea; when it’s not, he is more than happy to spend an afternoon watching and arguing about football. 

 

LUCIE STEPHENSON

Junior Account Executive – Digital & Events

Lucie graduated from Exeter University in 2023 with a degree in Anthropology. During her time at University, Lucie explored the position of social media in society, along with politics. In her final year at Exeter, she played a key role in organising fundraising and social events for a volunteering society, whilst being an active member of music and sport societies.

Background: After graduating university, Lucie worked in compliance and gained an insight into the financial world. She also volunteered with a local audio and visual company helping kickstart their position in the events space. In her third year of university, she completed her dissertation on the ‘left behind’ narrative of Brexit, exploring the impact of social media on politics.

Why we love Lucie: Lucie’s proactivity and organisational skills make her the perfect addition to our expanding events and social team. She’s already made such an impact with her strong work ethic and we are excited to watch her professional growth in the months and years to come.

Outside of Work: Lucie’s favourite thing to do in her free time is travelling, spending time with friends and her dog Ralphie, and reading.

Molly Paul

Junior Account Executive – PR

Expertise: Molly has a degree in International Journalism and an NCTJ diploma from Leeds Trinity University. Molly also obtained a Social Communications degree following a study abroad year in Ottawa, Canada. 

Molly’s role at Black Vanilla includes all aspects of public relations, from copywriting and media relations to social media and graphic creation. She spends her time activating various campaigns for consumer and financial clients.  

Background:  Molly began her post-graduate career as a Digital News Reporter and Content Creator for the UK news site, National World, before working on social media accounts for small businesses in Guernsey and Sydney, Australia.   

In recent years, Molly has looked to further expand her local media knowledge by working with organisations like BBC Guernsey and the Guernsey Press. She also enjoys finding local stories and events to promote through her personal social media channels.  

Why we love Molly:  Molly brings energy and enthusiasm to the team. She’s always keen to learn and her strong work ethic, creativity and experience make her a strong asset to our PR team. She’s a vibrant character who enjoys bringing new and exciting ideas to our clients.  

Outside of work: You can often find Molly gallivanting around the island in her spare time, trying new sports, exploring new places or grabbing a bite to eat with friends, family and their pooches. 

MIKE CULVERWELL

Operations Director

Expertise: Mike oversees our operational improvement projects and the operational functions that keep Black Vanilla ticking along, including our IT, HR policies, facilities and financial controls.

Background: Mike has worked as a strategic lead and business consultant for over 20 years, having been a director of two consultancies in London specialising in innovation and people-centred design. He has worked with large global corporations, local government and businesses to launch new ventures or to lead their strategic growth plans.

Why we love Mike: Mike brings a smile and heaps of experience and knowledge to keep Black Vanilla running smoothly and to keep us focused. He’s also rather handy at changing a lightbulb or fixing a squeaky door.

Outside of work: In his free time, you will find Mike either coaching hockey or crawling off the hockey pitch. He loves spending time with his family and friends, preferably over food and drink!