WHO WE ARE
Furner Communications uses a network of associates who bring a wide range of experience and expertise to the company which ensures we use the best people for relevant projects. That means you get a flexible, cost-effective and results-focused approach.
Ben Furner
Director
Ben began his working life at the BBC before moving into media relations, first at the disability charity Scope then at Age Concern England (now Age UK). After two years in a PR agency to broaden his experience, he set up Furner Communications.
As well as running the company, Ben has been an expert advisor to the Department of Work and Pensions, writes periodically for a range of publications including the Guardian and runs disability equality workshops. He’s also a member of the actor’s union, Equity. Yes, really.
Lisa Gee
Lead associate director
Lisa is a researcher, editor, writer and facilitator who also makes videos. She leads our work with the Health Foundation’s Inclusion Panel, is Research Fellow in Future Thinking at the University of Birmingham, Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London and a facilitator for business consultancy HSM Advisory.
Her funniest book so far is “Stage Mum”. She has too many cats.
Sarah Cable
Associate director
Sarah’s background is in television as a producer for the BBC, so she brings widespread knowledge of the world of broadcasting and film. But she is more than this; alongside her range of project management skills, she has extensive experience in developing, planning, managing and evaluating events. Sarah used to be a nurse, so what they say about the importance of a portfolio career is clearly right.
Sara Chew
Design consultant
Ben and Sara met whilst working on the Mental Health Media Awards; she’s since had stints working in the design departments of the RNIB and the Science Museum. As well as handling our design requirements, she also pitches in as camera/sound/production manager when we run media training sessions. At weekends, Sara can be found DJing for children’s parties when she’s not looking after her young daughter.
Kathryn Collinson
Associate director
Kathryn is a digital marketing expert who has worked with Furner Communications for over 10 years.
Her background includes successfully managing the digital marketing functions for a number of companies across both the private and public sectors. Her expertise covers managing social media presence, project managing branding projects, data analysis and website management. She likes to run – each to their own.
Sophie Edwards
Associate director
Sophie spent five years as chief executive of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) before going into consultancy. Her skills include developing and supporting professional networks, stakeholder engagement and event design and facilitation (she’s trained in Open Space Technology). She also does projects supporting boards and teams in strategic and operational planning, as well as research and evaluation assignments. She doesn’t have much spare time on account of her daughters, Josie and Charlotte.
Agnes Fletcher
Associate director
Agnes spent seven years at the Disability Rights Commission and was the director of policy and communications by the time she moved into consultancy in 2007. She’s since worked with a myriad of organisations, mostly in the public and third sectors. She has a fondness for regular trips to Sardinia but hasn’t invited any of us to go with her yet.
Sue Flook
Associate director
Sue and Ben worked in the Age Concern England press office together and have been colleagues on and off for 20 years. Sue has since worked for Oxfam and the British Red Cross as well as heading up the Soil Association’s media office for four years. She was also TimeOut.com’s ethical consumer editor. She gets the prize for ‘most right on’ member of the team.
Richard Hamer
Associate director
Richard started his career in the social housing sector, and has spent most of it working for charities, most recently at director level at Amnesty International and Capability Scotland, the country’s biggest disability charity. Richard has a wealth of experience, including policy development, and campaign and strategy planning. He’s the only one of us who lives north of Watford Gap, but we let him off because he’s extremely good at what he does.
Chris Mahony
Associate director
Chris is also a writer, and communications consultant, with a health and social policy background.
His career includes stints as a journalist on a range of publications and working in the press offices of the Audit Commission and the Department of Health.
Chris is lead officer for the communications work with the Housing Learning and Improvement Network account. For leisure, he supports Liverpool FC but we don’t hold that against him.
Alyson Rose
Associate director
Alyson has extensive communications experience working in the social policy field.
Previously head of media at the Disability Rights Commission, her background is in the voluntary and not for profit sector. Before moving into PR she spent ten years working in national and local radio. She has a house in the South of France and a waiting list for visitors.