Clark sets up own PR consultancy

ONE of the best-known figures in Scotland’s public relations sector has set up her own consultancy.

Lesley Clark has set up Clark Communications, having left Weber Shadwick Scotland, where she deputy managing director and vice-president.

She says her new company will specialise “in providing senior counsel and ‘sleeves up’ communications support”.

At Weber Shandwick, she recently led the PR around the arrival of giant pandas for Edinburgh Zoo. She had been at Weber Shandwick for 12 years, having begun her career in 1994 at Covey Advertising and PR.

In a statement, she says: “The challenge of setting up a new business is one which I’m relishing. Genuine experience and confident counsel is what I’m all about. If they outsource, many clients are now seeking a much more tailored offering that really suits their business and their audiences – I have the ‘big agency’ expertise, and now the freedom and flexibility to be able to respond directly to that requirement.”

Lesley is also branch chair of the Institute of Directors (Edinburgh), although she has taken a short sabbatical from this role while Clark Communications is established. She remains in post as chair of the Scottish Public Relations Consultants Association.