Communications Consultancy for Stakeholder Engagement & Public Affairs

We’re a Nottingham-based consultancy, developing and delivering strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and public affairs solutions for our clients

We work with regional and national businesses, local and central government, the NHS and universities on projects which range from brand building and profile raising to thought leadership, influencing and transformation programmes.

Communications - Engagement
Public Affairs

Understanding business challenges from a public, private and political perspective

Developing original, engaging and persuasive arguments through stakeholder communications

Engineering dialogues which help achieve clients’ business objectives

Communications
Engagement
Public Affairs

Understanding business challenges from a public, private and political perspective

Developing original, engaging and persuasive arguments through stakeholder communications

Engineering dialogues which help achieve clients’ business objectives

Our Team

A background in journalism, public affairs and business, along with an enviable black book of the region’s movers and shakers, gives BakerBaird our unique ability to see business challenges from every perspective, to develop original, engaging and persuasive arguments through stakeholder communications solutions, and to engineer dialogues that achieve clients’ business objectives.

Richard Baker

A former daily newsroom Assistant Editor and Business Editor, Richard combines long experience of journalism with an in-depth knowledge of business and the economy.

He works with businesses in tech, data analytics, design engineering, infrastructure project management and with universities in science, innovation and manufacturing.

He has undertaken trade missions to Germany, India and China.

Stuart Baird

Stuart is an award winning communicator, having delivered national campaigns such as Think! and Change4Life.

He has worked in the Strategic Communications Unit at 10 Downing Street and led communications, marketing and engagement within the NHS. He has been a specialist trainer and coach to Ministers, diplomats and NHS leadership teams for more than 10 years with work in Africa, South-East Asia, the Middle East and the USA.

Richard and Stuart lead a team of specialists who work with them on key projects:

Sarah Matthews

A former News Editor in a daily newsroom in the digital era, Sarah went on to spend several years working in NHS communications for Nottingham University Hospitals.

She was responsible for both internal and external communications, including the rebranding of services, managing media relations, VIP visits and crisis communications.

Charles Walker

An award-winning journalist who has edited regional news websites and newspapers, Charles has also worked in a number of high-profile public relations roles.

They included managing media relations for the census in England and Wales on behalf of the UK Government, and acting as a spokesman in various conflicts and humanitarian crises for an international aid agency.

Gail Downey

Gail is an experienced former BBC journalist who works across sectors ranging from renewable energy to manufacturing, and with Government departments including the Foreign Office.

Her work includes raising the profile of organisations though trade magazines, national and regional media including broadcast, newsletters, advertorials, Ebooks, LinkedIn Pulse thought leadership and blogs.

Chris Child

Chris is an award-winning journalist, who worked as a Government communications director, running national campaigns on behalf of Whitehall departments and agencies, including the Department for Transport.

He also worked in the No.10 Downing Street strategic communications unit and led on regional crisis communications during the fuel and foot and mouth crises.

Our Work

Typical projects include generating media impact through great content, mapping stakeholder plans for regional development projects, creating messaging for infrastructure projects, developing strategies for public sector transformation projects, or identifying decision-makers or influencers for companies seeking growth in the East Midlands area and beyond.

Authoring submissions to a Government commission

Securing regional and national coverage of an acquisition

Developing an influencing strategy for a technology venture builder

Hosting business briefings for a major national infrastructure project

Delivering specialist media training nationally and internationally for businesses and Government organisations.

Our Training

We are training clients such as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, NHS organisations, major corporations and charities to make an impact, make the most of the media and respond to crises.

• We live and breathe your world – we have worked in demanding NHS, business and Government roles. We have walked in your delegates' shoes.

• We are former journalists but have undertaken Whitehall recognised ‘train the trainer’ development courses.

We have delivered 1 to 1 media training for UK ambassadors and senior diplomats, NHS CEOs, clinicians and service directors/managers.

As well as Stuart Baird and Richard Baker we have a team of specialist trainers:

Sandra Collins

Sandra heads up the team that advises the Foreign Office on media engagement in a crisis, helping British Embassies overseas plan and respond to everything from natural disasters to cyber-attacks and terrorism.

Charlotte McLeod

Charlotte has 16 years of strategic communications experience, at both award-winning PR agencies advising high-profile clients, like VISA and GE, and within major government departments, such as the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Defence.

Phil Hayes

Phil is a media trainer and film-maker who developed his skills over two decades in Government. He works globally with British Embassies, preparing Foreign Office staff for crises, and delivers high-level training for a range of public and private sector clients.

Case Studies

Tackling Sexual Exploitation

We helped a small Midlands charity obtain huge national reach. Media coverage reached over 15 million people through The Sun, BBC 5 Live, Radio 4 Woman’s Hour and many other outlets across the country.

BakerBaird Services

Strategy, Media Relations, Public Affairs, Training

Nottingham in Parliament Day

We worked with the University of Nottingham to help deliver an initiative which showcased the University’s global research power and provided it’s home city a higher profile among decision-makers.

BakerBaird Services

Strategy, Media Relations, Thought Leadership

University of Nottingham Innovation Park

One of the most dynamic environments for teaching, research and knowledge commercialisation in the Midlands, the University of Nottingham Innovation Park (UNIP) is approaching its tenth anniversary. UNIP asked BakerBaird to author its first ever annual report, a comprehensive summary of the impact it has had on the regional and national economy, which has been circulated to stakeholders, partners and prospective clients nationally.

BakerBaird Services

Public Affairs, Creative Content, Media Relations

Blenheim Chalcot

With a £300m portfolio of businesses, Blenheim Chalcot is the UK’s leading technology venture builder. BakerBaird was tasked with developing and delivering a communications and relationships strategy to support a major long-term investment by Blenheim Chalcot in a UK city.