WELCOME TO
SQUARE 1 MEDIA
Square 1 Media is a specialist PR and Marketing agency with more than 100 years of collective property and mortgage market experience and a track record for delivering meaningful coverage and commercial results.
As the most influential agency in our industry, we use our market knowledge and extensive network of contacts to make a tangible difference to our clients. Working with Square 1 enables you to spend your valuable time managing your business, rather than your agency.
We can support with PR, Marketing consultancy, content marketing, partner marketing, research, branding and positioning, media training and copywriting.
What does your PR and Marketing agency do for you?
SQUARE 1 MEDIA SERVICES
PR
MARKETING CONSULTANCY
CONTENT MARKETING
CONSUMER & BROKER RESEARCH
PARTNERSHIP MARKETING
BRANDING & POSITIONING ANALYSIS
MEDIA TRAINING
COPYWRITING
WHY CHOOSE SQUARE 1 MEDIA
This is a unique opportunity to work with industry experts who share unrivalled experience and breadth of knowledge across the mortgage and lending markets.
We have worked in the trade press, at trade organisations, headed up the PR and marketing departments of a number of lenders and operated at a senior level within the UK’s largest property group.
This combination forms a unique proposition which is unparalleled within any other PR agency operating in and around this sector.
Depth of journalist contacts. Not only within the current trade press but also amongst those who have passed through the trade titles and now work in the national press.
This extensive contact book also extends to a network of businesses and individuals across all sectors of the mortgage and property markets.
Industry expertise – we are fully immersed in the mortgage, specialist lending and property markets. We know the type of stories journalists want, the type of articles they require and how to deliver commercially beneficial PR and content.
Knowledge capital and copywriting skills.
Our aim is always to provide a fair share of voice for the client in a competitive market and to develop their profile through a range of regular output and content, across all media.
Think of us as your account team.
THE TEAM
PAUL HUNT
Managing Director
Paul has worked in marketing within the financial services and property sectors in a career spanning over 25 years. Since 2001, he has held Head of or Marketing Director roles in businesses like Platform (the intermediary lender of Co-op), Lehman Brothers and Countrywide and has managed both B2B and B2C.
His experience includes relaunching Platform in 2003 following the merger with Verso, setting up a bids team at Countrywide to win multi million £ valuation contracts with lenders, acting as PR spokesperson, launching the largest PRS development in the North West of England and building a customer retention model for Countrywide’s financial services business.
A well known industry spokesperson, he has an extensive contact list across the mortgage industry.
ROB GRIFFITHS
Director
Rob co-founded White Dragon Communications in 2007 and has nearly two decades’ experience working specifically in the mortgage/lending market, having previously been Editor of Mortgage Introducer (2002-2006) and Associate Director of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (2006-2007).
White Dragon is immersed in the mortgage lending/advisory trade media and, in over 12 years, has worked with a range of clients including banks, building societies, lenders, distributors, packagers, advisers, estate agents, technology firms, events companies, and trade associations.
ALEX HAMMOND
Director
Alex has experience spanning 17 years in the industry, including such roles as Features Editor, PR Manager and Head of Marketing. He started writing about mortgages in 2001, as a journalist working on Your Mortgage, Mortgage Edge and Your Money. He then moved to Mortgage Solutions as Features Editor in 2004, before joining Kensington Mortgages as PR Manager in 2006. At Kensington he also took the reins of all marketing activity, helping them to reposition and re-enter the market, as well as launching a new lending proposition for Investec.
After joining Castle Trust as Head of Mortgage Marketing in 2016 he embedded PR, content and marketing into a strategy that delivered an uplift in website traffic of more than 400% in just 12 months.
Alex has also been finalist in the category of Marketer of the Year at the British Mortgage Awards on five separate occasions and been shortlisted for Mortgage PR of the Year at the Headline Money Awards twice. He is also CeMAP qualified.
SCOTT PHILIPSON
Director
Scott is former journalist, ex-Editor of Mortgage Introducer magazine and former founding partner of specialist Public Relations company White Dragon Communications.
He has worked within the financial services sector – primarily in and around the intermediary marketplace – for over 15 years as a journalist, copywriter and PR. After setting up consultancy firm FlatCap Communications in 2011 he works with some of the leading brands across all sectors of the mortgage market. He is also a non-executive director at a publishing group and a tech start-up.
JOHN FITZSIMONS
Client Services Director
John is an award-winning mortgage journalist and copywriter. He started writing about mortgages in 2007 at Mortgage Solutions, rising through the ranks to become editor before moving onto the consumer finance website loveMONEY in 2009. After a five-year spell as editor, John went freelance in 2016 and joined Square 1 Media in March 2024.
He has had bylines in the likes of the Sunday Times and the Mirror, as well as working extensively with mortgage industry titles such as Mortgage Finance Gazette, Mortgage Solutions and Mortgage Strategy.
NATALIE THOMAS
Copywriter
Natalie Thomas is an award-winning mortgage journalist with over 17 years’ experience working as a financial journalist and copywriter.
Her roles have included online editor of Lending Strategy and Loan Distributor and deputy editor of Mortgage Strategy.
She specialises in mortgages, second charge loans, property investment and insurance.
SIMONE FASSOM
Consumer & City Consultant
Simone has over twenty years of experience managing public relations programmes incorporating experience in retail banking, asset management, financial advisory services, wealth management, general insurance, pensions, mortgages and lending, ratings agencies and public sector financial planning.
She has worked Polhill Communications, in-house at Bradford & Bingley and more recently as an Associate Director at Redleaf Communications which merged with a number of specialist UK and international agencies to form the global agency, SEC Newgate. She now works on a consultancy basis
KEVIN ROSE
Copywriter
Kevin has over 25 years’ editorial experience, launching editing and a number of trade publications and writing for a variety of titles including national newspapers.
He was most recently the editor of online intermediary mortgage website BestAdvice and the presenter of its podcast, Sound Advice. In addition, he has consulted with both start-ups and established businesses over website development and content strategy, as well as podcast production and delivery.
ANGELA BARRITT
Copywriter
Angela has 20 years’ experience working as a financial journalist, copywriter and editor covering all aspects of business and personal finance in the UK and Australia. She has written extensively on mortgages, insurance, wealth management, banking, savings and retirement planning and has been the editor of five publications, including Mortgage Introducer.
In 2009, she moved to Australia where she worked on a number of prominent Australian business titles, including Money Management and Australian Banking & Finance. She was also managing editor of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ prestigious Company Director magazine and launch editor for Listed@ASX.
NEWS
SQUARE 1 MEDIA EXPAND TEAM WITH TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS
February 16, 2024
Square 1 Media, a leading PR and marketing agency specialising in mortgages, specialist finance and the wider financial services sector, has announced the addition of two new senior members to its team.
John Fitzsimons will join Square 1 Media on March 1st as Client Services Director, while Natalie Thomas joined on February 1st as Senior PR Account Manager.
John brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked as a journalist and copywriter within the mortgage and financial services sector for almost 20 years.
He started his career at the mortgage trade publication, Mortgage Solutions, in 2007, rising through the ranks to become Editor before moving onto the consumer finance website, loveMONEY, in 2009. After a five-year spell as Editor, John went freelance in 2016.
Over the past eight years John has written extensively for both the trade and financial consumer press, with bylines in publications such as The Sunday Times and The Mirror.
John will be responsible for overseeing existing client relationships at Square 1 Media, as well as helping to develop internal structures and identifying opportunities for existing and new clients.
Natalie also brings a wealth of knowledge from her time in the mortgage trade press, where she began her career in 2005. Since then, she has worked as Deputy Editor at Mortgage Strategy, as well as Editor of Lending Strategy and Loan Distributor, before going freelance in 2012.
Since becoming freelance, Natalie has worked for several mortgage and property publications, as well as providing copywriting services for several PR agencies. Natalie will be responsible for managing a number of client accounts as the firm continues its growth.
John and Natalie will work closely with Square 1 Media Managing Director, Paul Hunt and its other Directors, Alex Hammond, Scott Philipson and Rob Griffiths.
Paul Hunt, Managing Director of Square 1 Media, commented:
“This is an exciting time for Square 1 Media. Both John and Natalie bring an abundance of experience, and I’m confident they will be fantastic additions to our team. Together, they have almost 40 years of combined knowledge in the mortgage and wider financial markets, positioning us strongly to meet the needs of our expanding client base and ensuring they are in safe hands.”
John Fitzsimons, Client Services Director at Square 1 Media, said:
“I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Square 1 Media and can't wait to get started. The firm has an excellent reputation for delivering first-class financial PR. I look forward to building on this and putting my knowledge and experience to good use.”
Natalie Thomas, Senior PR Account Manager at Square 1 Media, added:
“I’m delighted to join the team at Square 1 Media. I’ve received a warm welcome and it’s great to be a part of a group so knowledgeable and experienced within the field of financial PR.”
FINANCIAL REPORTER LAUNCHES MORTGAGE OUTLOOK SUMMIT
November 15, 2023
Financial Reporter is delighted to announce the launch of the Mortgage Outlook Summit, a brand new event designed to look ahead to the market in 2024.
The Mortgage Outlook Summit explores the future of the mortgage market in a one-day event to help advisers tackle the challenges and opportunities of 2024.
The event will feature a keynote address from Hamptons senior analyst David Fell on the outlook for the housing market in 2024 as part of the seminar programme curated in conjunction with Square 1 Media. Following this there will be two panel debates - one on the changing face of advice in 2024 and how advisers can communicate changes to clients, and the other looking at mortgage products over the next year, including whether product transfers or remortgages will see more of a rise.
You'll also have time to meet, network and do business with up to ten exhibitors - from residential lenders to specialists - including Affirmative Finance, Buckinghamshire Building Society, Kensington, Legal & General, Market Financial Solutions, MT Finance and Signature Property Finance, with more speakers to be announced very soon.
There is a minimum of 2.5 CPD hours up for grabs on the day - plus complimentary breakfast, lunch and on-site parking are all included!
The first event is coming to Village Hotel London Watford on Wednesday 29th November.
There are limited places available at this exclusive event, so confirm your place here.
SEMINAR LINE-UP REVEALED FOR MORTGAGE ADVISER EVENT MANCHESTER
August 31, 2023
The full line-up of speakers has been announced for the upcoming Mortgage Adviser Event in Manchester, taking place at Victoria Warehouse on the 28th of September.
MAE Manchester returns in 2023 for a third time and will once again bring along the best exhibitors, forward-thinking educational content and networking opportunities. This year's MAE Manchester will feature over 40 exhibitors from across the UK mortgage industry, including mortgage and specialist lenders.
The show will feature two educational theatres in collaboration with Square 1 Media, with up to four hours of CPD available.
Sessions will cover adviser-focused topics such as rising interest rates, Consumer Duty, and supporting clients in a volatile lending market. In the main seminar theatre, SimplyBiz will host a session on Consumer Duty two months on, followed by two panel debates. The first, 'Supporting borrowers in a period of volatile interest rates', will feature discussion from Andrew Dean at Nationwide, Adrian Moloney at OSB, Richard Harrison at Atom Bank, and Maeve Ward from Central Trust. This is followed by a panel session on making buy-to-let more profitable with experts from Octopus Real Estate, Keystone, Fleet Mortgages, Landbay, and CHL.
The second Futures Theatre will feature a tech slot with OMS and L&G; a panel debate titled 'AR or DA?' hosted by Roger Morris from Tandem Bank with speakers from Paradigm, SimplyBiz, The Right Mortgage Network, and Stonebridge; followed by a session titled "Moving clients from 'happy' to 'delighted'" by financial adviser review site VouchedFor.
Mortgage Adviser Event founder, Laura Calcroft, said: “We’re delighted to announce our seminar programme for MAE Manchester – as always, we’ve aimed to bring a well-rounded, interesting line-up of speakers and sessions and I think we’ve achieved precisely that.
“Our sessions will give us an overview of some of the hot topics in our industry – particularly the cost-of-living crisis and volatile interest rates – alongside support for advisers in areas such as products, pricing, technology and client satisfaction, particularly following the introduction of the FCA's new Consumer Duty rules.
"There’s something for everyone and we hope everybody who attends will be able to take something valuable away from this programme.”
Paul Hunt, managing director of Square 1 Media, commented: "During these uncertain and challenging times for our market, the value of events such as the Mortgage Adviser Event to brokers has never been more apparent with the opportunity to engage and talk to multiple providers under one roof.
"We are once again proud to be associated with the event and have worked with the team to pull together an illustrious group of panellists with the sessions hosted by a fellow Square 1 Media director, Alex Hammond. We look forward to seeing you there."
INTERMEDIARY MARKET TO PLAY CRITICAL ROLE
IN THE FUTURE UK LENDING LANDSCAPE
June 6, 2023
Panellists at the inaugural Square 1 Media Mortgage Market Debate were united in highlighting the critical role mortgage intermediaries will play in the future UK lending landscape.
The Mortgage Market Debate is an exclusive, invite-only event hosted by PR and communications agency, Square 1 Media. The first event recently took place in the Great Room at The Royal Society of Arts in London in May and was sponsored by technology and design agency, MagiClick, and CRM system provider, One Mortgage System (OMS).
The aim of the Debate is to bring together senior leaders and stakeholders from across the mortgage industry and encourage frank and honest debate – under Chatham House rules - on a range of topics affecting the UK mortgage market today, and in the future.
Panellists included Richard Beardshaw, Head of Sales, Mortgage Intermediaries at HSBC plc, Dirk Bekker, Director of DMFCO, Jackie Bennett OBE, Chair, Bank of England Residential Property Forum and ex-Director of Mortgages at UK Finance and Brian Pitt, CEO at Rockstead. The debate was chaired by the highly-respected journalist and industry spokesperson, Paula John.
The 90-minute panel debate covered a wide range of topics including interest rates, house prices, the impact of the cost of living crisis, Consumer Duty and how this might change the intermediary/lender relationship, price-led competition, potential EPC legislation, acquisitions and consolidation, how to raise ESG standards, tackling the housing supply gap and the role of intermediaries in the future UK lending landscape.
Square 1 Media is planning to hold its next Mortgage Market Debate at the end of November 2023. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Paul Hunt, Managing Director at Square 1 Media, commented:
“The feedback from the event has been hugely positive and it was great to see so many people take the time out of their busy schedules to attend what proved to be a fascinating, insightful and highly enjoyable day.”
Jackie Bennett OBE, Chair, Bank of England Residential Property Forum and ex-Director of Mortgages at UK Finance, added:
“I was delighted to be part of the panel for the inaugural Mortgage Market Debate. We covered a wide range of topics and I got the impression that there was still more to discuss. Plenty for the next debate."
Brian Pitt, CEO at Rockstead, said:
“A quality event hosted by a quality team in a great venue. It’s always pleasing to get proper debate going with experienced people, who like me, have been in the market for a long time. I enjoyed our conversation and my thanks to the organisers, contributors and audience for an enjoyable day”.
SQUARE 1 MEDIA APPOINTS MANAGING DIRECTOR
February 4, 2022
Square 1 Media, the PR and marketing agency specialising in the intermediary mortgage market and wider financial services sector, has appointed Paul Hunt as its managing director.
From today, Hunt will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the business, developing and seeking out new opportunities and managing the growth the business has experienced since it was founded in 2019.
Hunt has over three decades experience in financial services. Over his career his positions include marketing director, financial services & B2B at Countrywide plc; VP/director at Lehman Brothers Mortgage Capital Division and head of marketing at Platform. Over that time he has developed an enviable network from across the marketplace.
Square 1 Media was established in 2019 and was set up by Paul, Alex Hammond, Scott Philipson and Rob Griffiths. The four have over 80 years’ experience in the financial services industry and work collaboratively with every client having a senior director managing their account.
In November 2021, Square 1 Media hired ex-journalist and publisher, Kevin Rose, as its senior account director.
Paul Hunt, managing director of Square 1 Media, said: “Since we founded the business as an alternative to traditional PR and communications agencies, I have naturally been the most client-facing director of the business and so, following the level of growth we achieved in the last year, it made complete sense for me to take on the managing director role.
“It’s been clear in the two years since launch that the model we created for Square 1 Media is attractive to lenders, providers, distributors and other businesses active throughout the market. Now is the right time to have a permanent managing director to oversee our continued growth and drive the business forward.”
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174 Hammersmith Road
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W6 7JP