Meet the Committee – Harriet Williams

Age: 30
Location: Didsbury 


What are your interests? What sets your heart on fire?  
As someone who grew up on a farm in Wales, my biggest love will always be the countryside.  I’m looking forward to putting on my wellies and spending the next few weekends with my husband and brother as we welcome the spring lambs.  This passion also includes taking long dog walks, riding horses and enjoying the beautiful scenery right at our doorstep in Didsbury - where I also call home. 

How did you get into PR?
I began my career during my second summer at university, when I worked at a boutique food and drink agency in Shropshire.  I supported our PR client, the Speciality Fine Food Show, in the lead-up to their annual event, which is one of the largest in the UK for producers to engage with buyers.  This experience combined my two favourite interests: communications and eating and drinking. 

After graduating, I was offered a full-time position, which allowed me to return home and dive straight into the working world.  But it wasn’t long before I made the move to McCann Manchester, where I joined the PR team.  Over several years, I progressed from an executive position to director, supporting a mix of clients with trade and consumer briefs, touching transport, food and drink, dental care, and much more!

Then, when I was offered a secondment by one of our clients, Bupa, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to try an in-house role.  What started as a six-month contract turned into a permanent position, and I've been working with the corporate affairs team for the past three years.  I look after media relations for our dental business, focusing on issues management and launching consumer and trade campaigns to advance oral health.

What do you love most about PR? 
Everything.  At the heart of it all are the people and the connections we make.  Also, how our communications impact people’s everyday lives. 

What PR campaign or project are your particularly proud of?  
Our work with ParalympicsGB to shine a light on less visible disabilities and how they affect people's health and wellbeing.  It's such a joy to team up with amazing, medal-winning athletes who share their inspiring stories and motivate others to see things from a new perspective, and that's always a highlight for me. 

If you weren’t in PR, what could you see yourself doing? 
Anything to do with animals, possibly a veterinary nurse – but I’d always keep a little bit of my time for PR too!

Describe your role in the committee and what it involves?  
I work closely with Nicole to create unique and interesting content for our newsletter, blogs and social media channels, to (hopefully) grab the attention of our members in the region and beyond.

What do you think makes this committee unique?
I joined the committee several years ago when I moved to Manchester.  It was the perfect opportunity to build a network and support my career journey.  After taking some time off, I returned in October 2024.  It’s wonderful to be back with such an amazing group of people who are always willing to share and help each other grow.

What piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out in PR?  
Go for it and work hard.  Putting in that extra effort truly pays off!  And always be kind!

What’s your favourite way to unwind after a busy day? 
I enjoy cooking a delicious meal from scratch – provided I'm organised and have all the necessary ingredients on hand!