People
A diverse collective of creatives, planners, digital specialists, writers, influencers, publicists, designers, brand experts, media leaders, and corporate and social strategists.
Kirsty Leighton
Founder & Group CEO
Kirsty is the founder of Milk & Honey. She has over 25 years of experience in corporate brand PR and communications. Kirsty has a privileged view of the communications landscape, having held leadership positions in successful City and financial, technology, corporate and consumer agencies. She started Milk & Honey determined to put people first, creating a happy and healthy place to work. Where passion and creativity are prized. Where clients are celebrated. One where there is time to think, to go the extra mile. A land of opportunity, hence the name!
Becca Baker
Partner, Group Chief Financial Officer
Meilin is partner and CEO of Milk & Honey Singapore, the agency’s first office in Asia. She has a diverse career in building and implementing communications, marketing, GTM and commercial growth strategies that spans over 25 years.
She’s held organizational and functional leadership roles in agencies as well as large enterprises and startups across various industries, including Digital Wellbeing, HealthTech, EdTech and Payment.
Meilin is an actively advocate for an inclusive and equitable society, especially in the workplace. She’s currently on the Advisory Board of Live On Purpose, a privacy-by-design charity platform, and a Mentor at She Brilliance, a women empowerment movement.
Meilin Wong
Partner, CEO Singapore
Meilin is partner and CEO of Milk & Honey Singapore, the agency’s first office in Asia. She has a diverse career in building and implementing communications, marketing, GTM and commercial growth strategies that spans over 25 years.
She’s held organizational and functional leadership roles in agencies as well as large enterprises and startups across various industries, including Digital Wellbeing, HealthTech, EdTech and Payment.
Meilin is an actively advocate for an inclusive and equitable society, especially in the workplace. She’s currently on the Advisory Board of Live On Purpose, a privacy-by-design charity platform, and a Mentor at She Brilliance, a women empowerment movement.
Manuel Hüttl
Partner, CEO Germany
Manuel is a partner and CEO of Milk & Honey’s first office in Munich, Germany. He is a communications veteran, with more than 20 years’ experience across international agencies, advising C-suite executives and global organisations.
Thinking outside the box is pivotal to Manuel, and he is driven by innovation and to create cutting edge campaigns, that work. Manuel is also the Senior Vice President of the CMO council – a global peer group of over 16,000 marketers across EMEA.
Father of two, Manuel has previous been a lecturer and has published a book about reputation management.
Kath Myers
Partner, UK Managing Director
Kath heads up Milk & Honey’s UK business, bring to bear more 20 years’ experience in integrated communications. She has led the development of commercially successful and award-winning campaigns that have been recognised by The PRCA Awards, EMEA Sabres and CIPR Awards.
Kath has worked in some of the UK’s top PR and marketing agencies, representing leading global brands, led pan-European communications and UK marketing while client-side, and has supported both big brands and start-ups as an independent consultant.
Her professional passions lie in helping brands and organisations to develop a credible role within the lives of their audiences and in delivering meaningful measurement with impact at the heart.
Outside of professional life, Kath enjoys a gentle run in a local park, gets joy from singing and dancing, and loves a good theatre show or musical.
Paul Cohen
Partner, CEO North America
Paul runs Milk & Honey’s North American business and brings more than two decades experience shaping vital conversations in ways that matter.
A trusted communications advisor to executives and teams across three continents, Paul has represented multinational corporations, start-ups, industry associations, sovereign governments and non-profit organisations. He leads a powerhouse team out of Milk & Honey’s New York office and works alongside clients’ leadership teams to help clients tell their stories to successfully drive business results.
Imogen Wallis
Partner, Digital
Imogen is a lover of all things social and SEO. Having been both agency and client side, Imogen began her career 2015 as an account manager for a social media agency. Here she was deep diving into content creation, copy writing and creating event coverage for a range of clients from fashion to confectionary.
Looking to switch things up and work in-house, she then took up the helm of all things marketing and PR at luxury nightwear start-up Yawn. Tackling all sides of the business from PR coverage, social media management, online discovery and PPC. Imogen’s experience, and first-class honours degree in marketing and advertising, has allowed her to gain a fantastic understanding of client struggles from all business angles and how to optimise the digital world.
When not building award worthy digital campaigns, you’ll find Imogen planning her next trip across the world, singing her heart out at a gig or taking her puppy ‘Biggie’ out for some quiet time.
Caroline Gruen
Partner, Client Service Director
Caroline heads up our B2B and client services. She started her multi-award winning PR career in 2009 in-house within the automotive industry before moving to central government, then to global agency Weber Shandwick.
Over the years Caroline has built up quite the awards cabinet, having been recognised in PRWeek’s 30 under 30 in 2016 and celebrated for her client campaigns along the way too. As a board director at the hive, she leads our client quality and measurement activity, ensuring every creative campaign has demonstrable business results.
Adam Toms
Head of Content
Adam has more than 20 years of communications experience in the public, charity and private sectors.
As head of content, Adam takes s complex subjects and translates them into a form that’s understandable, meaningful and interesting to relevant audiences. He has put words into the mouths of Lords, Ministers of State and blue-chip CEOs – and developed the full range of corporate communications collateral.
Before joining the hive, Adam led editorial at Genomics England, ran his own writing business, was head of communications at a national medical regulator, managed corporate communications within the NHS and has been at the sharp end of major national events such as the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Petrina Marks
Executive Assistant to Founder & Group CEO
Petrina is a seasoned Executive Assistant with over 25 years of experience working with CEO’s and C-Suite executives. Like any top level EA, she can juggle a variety of projects and tasks, whilst keeping the board in check and is also a super talented baker. In 2023, Petrina was shortlisted for a PA of the Year award, honouring her dedication to her craft.
Having worked with Kirsty in a previous agency, the two work together in sync. Petrina is energetic, innovative and motivated with strong attention to detail. She keeps the office humming, occasionally fuelled by some fabulous edible creations.
Sanjiv Winayak
Senior Client Director, Head of AI
A graduate in Astrophysics and Philosophy, Sanjiv has been working in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle PR since 2013. Passionate about data driven ideation Sanjiv brings an objective, measured and results driven approach to his work. Prior to joining Milk & Honey, Sanjiv worked with brands such as Teva and Planet Organic.
In his spare time, he cooks and plays tennis, with his aspirations in either field far outweighing his ability.
Lewis Oakley
Senior Client Director, Head of Broadcast
As a Senior Client Director, Lewis drives commercial success, serving as a trusted advisor to clients while delivering strategic, results-driven campaigns, mentoring teams, and spearheading new business initiatives. He also serves as Head of Broadcast at Milk & Honey, recently launching the podcast division.
Lewis predominantly works with international clients and has a lot of experience operating orchestra models, overseeing the activity of multiple PR hubs around the world.
Outside of the office, Lewis writes for publications such as Metro, HuffPost, and the Independent, co-hosts a leading podcast and is a published author. Since hosting his own Virgin Radio show, he’s also becoming a regular on TV screens, appearing on paper review shows and current affairs debates.
His accolades include being twice honoured on the Pride Power List and recognition as PRWeek’s ’30 under 30′ rising stars.
Ayehsa Kohli
Senior Client Director
Having donned a variety of roles over 20+ years, as a journalist, financial analyst, brand strategist, communications specialist, fashion entrepreneur, heritage crafts champion and sustainability advocate, Ayehsa knows that deep commitments and actions of purpose build and create impact across communities.
Patrizia Heun
Client Director
Patrizia brings energy and a can-do attitude to Milk & Honey’s German office, which she’s helping to grow on the Munich grounds.
Her passion is telling great stories for clients in an innovative way and her outgoing personality has helped her to build strong relationships with Journalists in Germany and the UK.
With a degree in PR & advertising, Patrizia kicked-off her career in PR at The Hoffman Agency in London, which fostered her excitement for B2B tech. Over the years, she’s worked with several multinational clients in the tech sector and in various areas – from AI over semiconductors to telecommunications, 5G, e-commerce, and surveillance technologies.
In her spare time, you’ll find her on a sailing ship, learning how to play the Ukulele (which might still take some time) or traveling the world.
Hannah Williams
Digital Client Director
Social and Digital are Hannah’s bread and butter. A music management graduate, fusing creative and business together, Hannah has a variety of agency side experience. From social video licensing on viral facebook pages, to social, digital and creative account management across a variety of major corporations charities and small businesses.
With 3 ½ years previous experience at a full service agency, she skilfully account managed global activations and orchestrated co-marketing campaigns for renowned brands.
Described as a friendly, spirited, and ambitious individual, when Hannah’s not working on social and digital campaigns, she’s an enthusiastic traveller and music enthusiast. While she once dabbled as a micro-influencer, these days, she leans toward leisure and her life is brightened by Bella, her cherished cockapoo.
Connor Douglass
Client Director
Conor acts as Client Director into the New York team. Formerly of Edelman, Conor started his career focused on political campaigns, from a local mayoral race in 2013 to a US Congressional race in 2016. He also spent four years in Washington, DC working on Capitol Hill and in public affairs before arriving in NYC in 2019 to work for Edelman where he represented large F&B brands like PepsiCo and Campbell’s and supported professional services firms.
Outside of work, Conor is volunteers with an environmental group in Brooklyn that supports sustainability efforts in the community. He also stays active on the tennis court and the occasional hike in upstate New York.
Richard Bagnell - FCIPR, FPRCA, FAMEC
Non Executive Director
Richard is a global leader in PR and communications measurement and evaluation, with over 30 years’ experience building companies and advising international clients. He has led several of the world’s outstanding media intelligence and communications evaluation businesses, including Metrica, Gorkana, PRIME Research, and CARMA. Richard now leverages this extensive experience at CommsClarity Consulting which he co-founded.
He has been highly involved with global media intelligence professional association AMEC since its inception in 1996, leading the organization as its Chair for six years across three terms of office.
Claire Lematta
Group Non-Executive Director
An exceptional global leader, Claire sits external to the business and advised the board on growth and culture. Claire is an experienced communications consultant and leader for business and not for profit organizations. Skilled in fundraising, global communications, corporate and internal communications, organizational development. Expert in decision making and alignment strategies for networked organizations. Claire also holds a masters in in Organisational Development and Leadership.
“It isn’t often in life when the exactly right opportunity presents itself at the right time, that fits one’s experience and expertise while appealing to deeply held values. The chance to work with Milk & Honey in this role is pretty much that—an opportunity to support a business that I believe in profoundly with people I really respect and enjoy.”
Ruth Chew
Senior Consultant
With over 20 years in marketing communications, Ruth actually began her career as lifestyle journalist for leading women’s titles such as Harper’s Bazaar, then moved into fashion retail PR, overseeing brands like Salvatore Ferragamo and Calvin Klein Jeans. Ruth later focused on luxury fashion communications for Celine, Givenchy, and Gucci.
In 2015, she transitioned to e-commerce and corporate work, leading PR teams at Expedia Asia and the PR for Singapore’s inaugural Michelin Guide Awards in 2016. More recently, she has consulted for brands like Audible, Bang & Olufsen, Pernod Ricard and Piaget.
Passionate about women’s issues, Ruth advocates for women’s rights, health, and mental well-being.
Claire Soutar
Senior Learning & Development Consultant
Claire joins us at Group level to develop and deliver our Hive Academy programme of leadership and management development. MCIPD qualified, with over 15 years experience, Claire Soutar has worked alongside teams and executives across multiple sectors including FMCG, Communications, Financial Services, Charity and Recruitment.
A Business Consultant and Leadership and Management Trainer, Claire helps business leaders and teams develop robust, commercially focused people agendas that drive growth and change. Her approach is honest, pragmatic, curious and fun. Claire gets to the heart of any business issue and delivers practical solutions. In addition to the above, Claire is also an experienced Executive Coach and Insights Discovery Practitioner.
Lola Carter
Client Manager
Lola is driven by a desire to help purpose-driven organisations shake up the status quo.
Lola graduated from the University of Sussex with a first-class Psychology degree in 2021. Shortly after, she kicked off her career and has since gained experience in delivering insight-driven campaigns for a variety of consumer, B2B and not-for-profit clients.
Naturally inquisitive and passionate about developing meaningful and long-lasting relationships, Lola is fascinated by great comms and how it can influence consumer behaviour.
Outside of working hours, you’ll find her experimenting with extravagant vegan recipes in the kitchen and exploring her new stomping ground of SW London.
Oliver Henn
Digital Client Manager
Since 2016, Oliver has helped brands and projects connect with diverse audiences through strategic digital storytelling. With a foundation in the arts, he excels at translating creative vision into measurable digital success. Oliver specialises in thoroughly assessing clients’ digital capabilities in order to craft engagement-driven strategies that maximise existing digital assets. He identifies high-impact areas for development and serves as the bridge between technical teams and stakeholders. Having worked with both major brands and independent businesses, Oliver brings to Milk and Honey a versatile approach that not only achieves digital goals but also builds authentic connections.
When Oliver isn’t creating digital solutions, he’s cooking up a storm, cheering on his favourite sports teams (go Yankees), or looking after Willow, his energetic Hungarian Vizsla.
Jin Lee
Client Manager
Jin is a passionate and driven PR professional with experience working across industries including B2B and B2C clients. In addition to her deep earned media experience developing unique and compelling pitches, she’s experienced in developing and executing influencer campaigns to reach a consumer-focused audience.
After graduating from Smith College with degrees in Government and East Asian Studies, Jin moved to New York and pursued a career in law as a legal analyst. After a career change, she went on to work at SourceCode Communications and 5WPR, working across CPG, consumer tech, and B2B portfolios before joining Milk & Honey.
Outside of the office, you can catch Jin outside with her dog, staying active, or finding the next best sushi restaurant.
Jack Mullen
Group Finance Manager
Jack joins the team with his analytical eye to bring the numbers to life. An accountant by trade and a self-professed lover of all things numerical, he provides insightful data to the team to keep things on the right track. Beyond just the numbers, Jack oversees the finance functions of the Milk & Honey PR Group.
Outside of the office, you’ll find him doing all things football and finding the best pint to watch a match with.
Alexandra Fielker
Client Manager
Alexandra has always been fascinated in the impact of communication, leading her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science, Business and Economics as well as her Master’s in International PR at the University of Munich.
She joins Milk & Honey’s German team after gaining PR-experience in different communication agencies working for consumer and B2B tech as well as lifestyle clients. With her calm but curious nature she is interested in a variety of topics, coming in handy when working for Milk & Honey PR’s multifaceted clients.
Outside her job, she is passionate about reading and loves to try out new pastimes, such as dancing and painting.
Maya Seth
Senior Client Executive
Maya studied a BA in Design at Goldsmiths University before joining the hive. She has worked with Milk & Honey’s Partner Bees & Refugees since September 2022, supporting them with marketing, digital strategy, social media and more.
Maya’s previous work has had a strong set of values at its heart, which she is excited to continue with Milk & Honey. Outside the office, you will find Maya swimming in the sea, listening to live jazz or travelling to explore new cultures and cuisines.
Keaiana O'Riordan
Senior Client Executive
Keaiana began her career as a freelancer after graduating during the pandemic and wanting to gain experience. She joined the world of tech PR in 2022, where she gained skills across various sectors including broadcast technology, VFX, animation, gaming, enterprise technology, cybersecurity, and telecommunications.
In July 2024, Keaiana joined Milk & Honey, with a strong interest in technology and a passion for DEI&B initiatives. Keaiana currently leads our DEI&B and Purpose Academy initiatives as well as being a member of our AI peer group
Lisa Hüttl
Assistant to CEO Germany
It’s all a question of organisation!
After a career in the fashion industry, where she spent time in Milan studying the rich and beautiful, and several years of expertise in family management, Lisa knows what it takes to keep a diverse company with different characters running. Communication is at the top of the list.
And because food keeps body and soul together, after work she likes to cook, invite people over and spend time together!
By the way: even though Lisa has now found happiness in Bavaria, her hometown Cologne is always in her heart. And anyone who needs tips because a trip will take them there can get in touch at any time!
Lea Knobloch
Client Executive
As a part of the Munich office, Lea utilizes her strategic chops and love for storytelling to help impactful brands make a difference. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Business Management in 2022, and then jumped right into agency live at a Boston-based tech PR Agency. Some of her clients included Anjuna, Archer, and Gradle.
In her free time, you can usually find Lea playing beach volleyball, curled up on the couch with a Thriller, or munching on chocolatey treats to appease her sweet tooth.
Madison Boyce
Client Executive
A new face on the scene, Mads joined Milk & Honey PR just two days after graduating from Durham University Business School with a degree in Marketing and Management. Starting as an intern, Mads quickly rose to become a Client Executive driven by her strong passion for securing stories and building media relationships.
Mads is also passionate about helping others break into the PR world and now leads our intern program, mentoring the next generation of PR professionals. Outside of work, Mads enjoys taking on extreme sports or, as she calls it, shopping on Oxford Street.
Havana Frakes
Client Assistant
With an undergraduate degree in International Relations and Philosophy from the University of St. Andrews and a Masters of Science in International, Social, and Public Policy from the London School of Economics, Havana cares deeply about people and policy. She has experience in government, public affairs, and nonprofit organisations. Havana is passionate about social impact and helping organisations maximise their benefit to society through powerful messaging and ESG.
Outside of the office, she loves baking, exploring, and seeing friends.
