Meet the Committee – Natalie Geraghty 

Age: 39
Location: Wigan


What are your interests? 
Walking my dog, walking, camping, live music.

What sets your heart on fire? 
The simple things; all wrapped up on a long walk, a good cup of tea and garden centre cafes!

How did you get into PR? 
I started out as a local reporter and passed my senior reporter exams a couple of years later.  I then moved to a construction firm as a communications coordinator and I stayed there for 11 years, finishing up as head of communications.  

What do you love most about PR? 
I love loads about PR so choosing one thing is hard!  But I think I’ll say I love the critical thinking.  So much work goes on behind the scenes before that press release is issued, or that social media post is published.  I love challenging the purpose of something, the “what ifs”, the timing, the perception. 

What PR campaign or project are you particularly proud of? 
I’m most proud of a campaign I worked on while with my last employer, which focused on raising awareness of roadworker abuse in the highways industry.  I left to set up my own business just before it went live but I had worked on the concept for about a year previously. 

With a sensitive subject like that, I needed to make sure the people involved in the campaign felt safe and comfortable because they were putting their faces and names to some harrowing stories.  I have the utmost respect for all of those people who continue to keep our highways safe yet still face horrendous abuse from the general public.  

If you weren’t in PR, what could you see yourself doing? 
I really want to run a little café, or a boutique B&B.

Describe your role in the committee and what it involves. 
I am Vice-Chair of the NW committee.  I step in when Sali, our Chair, isn’t around to lead our meetings.  I contribute in other ways by creating content such as blogs and I help out with events.
  
What do you think makes this committee unique? 
I think we’re all quite a feisty bunch who genuinely have our members at heart.  Maybe it’s the northern spirit in us, but you’ll always get an honest and normal-not-formal approach.

What piece of advice would you give to someone just starting in PR?
Find a mentor.  I think it’s hard starting out in any career but in engineering, for example, you’ll get a sponsor to help you become chartered.  That’s invaluable to a young, next-generation employee.  I’d like to see more of that in PR. 

What’s your favourite way to unwind after a busy day? 
Walking or playing with my black labrador, Ellie.  She really is my best friend.