A PUBLIC relations business has recruited three new team members due to growing demand for its expanding services.

32West, which supports clients from London to Scotland from its bases in the north-west of England, has broadened its range of digital and videography services.

Its trio of new recruits in Cumbria – two based in Carlisle and one in Ulverston – have joined the firm at a time when businesses are looking at new ways of reaching audiences.

Award-winning former journalist Claire Sherwen has more than 20 years of media experience working on both editorial and commercial projects.

Claire was previously publishing editor of Newsquest Cumbria Magazines which publishes Cumbria Life, Carlisle Living and Dumfries & Galloway Life and was the launch editor for Lakes & Cumbria Wedding magazine. Last year, Cumbria Life was named Magazine of the Year at both the Regional Press Awards and the 02 Media Awards North West.

Claire said: “I’m delighted to be joining the 32West team. Their ethos of creating fantastic content and working alongside clients to achieve the very best results is something which I connected with immediately. I’m looking forward to being part of such a creative team at an exciting time for the company and its clients.”

Dani Irving graduated with a first class Honours Degree in Film Production BA (Hons) from The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) in 2016. After returning to the UK from travelling in Australia, Dani applied her social media, photography and video skills to helping a multi-venue hospitality company grow its business.

Dani said: “I am excited to join 32West and apply my skills to helping its diverse and dynamic client base grow their businesses. There are lots of opportunities for businesses to reach new audiences in the virtual world which is so important right now.”

Suzanne Higgins brings the experience of running her own award-winning business to help 32West manage its expanding portfolio of clients. Suzanne launched a natural toiletries company with products for children which avoided the use of harsh chemicals. She won industry accolades along the way, whilst supplying one of the UK’s biggest high street names.

Suzanne said: “Having launched and operated my own business, I understand the importance of building a strong brand through excellent PR, marketing and social media management.

“While running The Little Bathtime Company, I learned a range of skills which I am delighted to be able to apply and develop in my new role to help the growth of 32West and to help give the best quality of service to all its customers.”

32West offers a one-stop solution for businesses wanting to grow their audience reach and expand their markets, offering content, digital, photographic, videography, creative, web development, and commercial buying solutions.

The company’s growing portfolio of clients covers a range of sectors including: engineering, manufacturing, automotive, professional services, public sector, education, interiors, hospitality, and travel.

James Higgins, who founded the company in May 2018 and has more than 20 years experience of the media industry, said expanding the team from six to nine enabled the business to provide a broader range of services to existing clients, and to cater for new clients looking to reach markets in different ways.

James said: “Our mission at 32West is to help amazing businesses grow. We always aim to do that in a creative way which inspires and excites. Our new additions to the team enable us to continue to support an ever widening range of businesses in this way.

“We’re committed to recruiting the best talent available to enable us to deliver the best possible results for our clients, and Claire, Dani and Suzanne joining the team marks the next exciting stage for our business.”

32West was one of a handful of PR Firms in the North West (and the only one outside of Manchester) to be highlighted by industry bible PRWeek UK, among 30 firms described as ‘bubbling under’ in this year’s prestigious UK Top150.