Get to know Paul Stainton – Talent Bank Associate

Organisations seeking professional support have access to numerous specialists with EELGA's Talent Bank. Here, communications and PR expert, Paul Stainton, shares his experience and how his expertise can help.

 

Tell us about yourself and your specialism:
I am an experienced communicator and manager who specialises in strategic campaigns, crisis communications, training and video production.

After a long and distinguished career at the BBC, I launched my own media and communications consultancy in 2017. I’ve built a reputation for innovative and impactful campaigns, alongside the delivery of trusted advice and training for local councils.

Also, I give my time to several local charities, including the Free Kicks Foundation, which raises money to provide football-related activities for ill, bereaved and disadvantaged children. Golf is a passion of mine, but like my music career, I feel my best days may be behind me!

Tell us what you can provide potential clients as an Associate on EELGA’s Talent Bank:
As an EELGA Talent Bank Associate I can also provide media training with guaranteed results. A number of councils have benefitted from our training of head teachers, departmental heads, officers, councillors and C-suite executives. These courses, alongside workshops in voice coaching, managing change and marketing, have all proved very popular.

During the pandemic I provided ongoing one-to-one coaching for high-ranking health professional’s. The aim was to help improve their newly required, almost daily, media briefings, which we accomplished with intense, short courses.

For the past four years I have worked alongside the marketing and communications team within council’s, supporting ongoing campaigns, including one to attract more foster carers into the profession. The multi-channel campaigns implemented have been highly successful, attracting record numbers of engagement and saving millions of pounds!

I also provide video expertise, both filming and editing, which has complimented many of the campaigns I have been involved with. Additionally, I have used my video expertise for internal and external communications films.

Video is increasingly important to get messages across to the public and these skills would certainly benefit any council’s messaging.

Tell us about any significant challenges relating to your specialism and how you can overcome them:
Covid-19 provided many challenges for media training, coaching and video production, with much of it having to be done remotely. The training courses had to be adapted for online use because face-to-face coaching and training was off the table. So, subjects had to be quickly brought up to date with Teams and Zoom to ensure continuity of training.

Despite the initial challenges, the use of virtual meetings quickly became a benefit. They made people comfortable with talking to a camera and I could coach in real time, with many positive results.

Tell us where you have come from and what has led you to be part of EELGA’s Talent Bank:
My background is in media and communications, having enjoyed a 25-year career in the BBC, as a journalist, manager, radio presenter and TV Correspondent for the Six O’Clock news.

Since 2017, I have put my expertise to good use, by advising several councils on media strategy, communications campaigns and training.

My knowledge and experience have been relied upon to advise in crisis communications scenarios over the last couple of years, which has always been appreciated.

 

If you think Paul Stainton’s expertise could benefit your organisation, then express an interest on his profile. To see what other Associates we have available, visit the East of England Talent Bank.