about spotlight
we don’t try to be
everything to everyone
We have fine-tuned our approach to strategic communications over many years, creating deep relationships with clients, media and key partners around the world. We nurture each other and our contacts, and while we work hard, we also make time and space to ensure we enjoy what we do.
meet our team
Lucy Clifton
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
An integral part of the Spotlight Communications team since 2009, inspirational women have always defined Lucy’s working life, and she continues to be inspired every day by so many – from the Spotlight team, to the myriad of editors, clients and industry partners she has collaborated and connected with over the years.
Recently taking the helm at Spotlight and especially the opportunity to lead such a fantastic team. Almost as integral – but not quite so recent – Lucy is proud to have initiated the VIP media guestlist, proposition and programme for the ILTM event portfolio, which continues to constantly evolve.
Amazing story-telling is what Lucy finds most captivating – whether that be reading, watching tales unfold on stage, or working to create compelling narratives for her clients. Passionate about performance, she can be regularly found exploring literature, music and art, recognising it’s the tiny details that connect and resonate.
nurturing, enthusiastic, inspirational
Alexandra Gore
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
First joining Spotlight in 2014 at the tender age of 19, globetrotting Alex’s PR career has taken her from London to Melbourne and back again, and she is not afraid of tackling a new challenge. Her experience embraces leading food and drink, airline, fashion and luxury travel brands, and she has also worked in-house within the automotive industry.
Creating and launching the media and content programme for PROUD Experiences, now the world’s largest international LGBTQ+ travel event. A close second? Perhaps the partnership she secured for Spotlight client Kudadoo Maldives with Apple TV for an episode of popular show, ‘The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy’.
It is no secret Alex’s travel obsession shows little sign of slowing down, whether that be spontaneous weekend trips, or exploring a new (and sometimes random) destination. Always keen to keep on top of trends, Alex also counts scrolling through Instagram to find and form new relationships with content creators and listening to podcasts as fun and vital aspects of her Spotlight role.
passionate, capable, innovative
Felicity Womersley Smith
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Having worked her way up through the PR ranks for 11 years, Felicity’s experience working with big name destinations and hotel companies as well as boutique clients means she has built an enviable ‘black book’ of contacts across a host of media, opinion leaders and brands.
From securing FT exclusives, to sourcing celebrity brand ambassadors such as Ben Fogle, Elizabeth Hurley and Levison Wood, Felicity’s career has involved many proud moments. Securing broadcast coverage on popular TV shows such as ‘Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby’, have been other key highlights, along with driving awards-nominated campaigns for Visit Sweden, and inspiring increased footfall to Mayfair and Belgravia via her work for Grosvenor Estates.
Having been to 37 countries and counting, Felicity still gets immense pleasure from discovering far-off cultures and exploring new flavours and faces, whether that’s a month-long stint in China, her honeymoon across Mexico, or a recent Kenyan adventure. Felicity can also regularly be found out running, while her skills in the areas of negotiation, patience and multi-tasking have recently been honed thanks to having a two-year-old daughter!
dedicated, thoughtful,
curious
Sharon Coleshill
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
Sharon began her PR career by representing a host of renowned UK attractions, venues and hotels in the corporate events sector. Her two passions of travel and communications converged when she joined Spotlight, and using her 16 years of experience, she now drives MICE and B2C PR strategy for hotels and destinations.
Sharon can’t choose between two – launching HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO to global media acclaim in 2020, or introducing inaugural tech conference Cvent CONNECT Europe to MICE and hospitality media in 2017, subsequently growing its PR strategy to build year-on-year attendee reach.
Whether sitting down to sample a traditional afternoon tea, or enjoying fragrant matcha, jasmine or mint varieties, Sharon’s love of a brew is linked to some of her favourite destinations, and ultimately, she just loves the joy of forming connections over a good cup of tea. She also relishes discovering hidden pop-ups, something that sparks her innate curiosity to explore the overlooked and fuels her innovative thinking.
detailed, considerate, wordsmith
Caroline Bondy
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
After first qualifying as a media and entertainment solicitor, Caroline’s love of travel and conversation later coalesced perfectly with her marriage to a well-known media personality (and thus access to the country’s top editors, content creators and owners) to inspire her second career: travel PR, a world she entered by joining Spotlight in 2019.
After creating such a successful campaign around its afternoon tea, Caroline recalls the wonderful moment when her London hotel client had to ask the team to press pause on the story, given the tea had become a total sell-out!
Caroline has a passion for people and a varied social life that takes her from pub to opera; allotments to fundraising events – all in the spirit of great relationship building. She plays tennis several times a week socially and competitively, which not only keeps her fit, but is also great for networking and fuels a healthy competitive spirit!
honest, energetic,
adaptable
Georgia Holland
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
During her Biomedical Science studies at university, Georgia found herself drawn to the media when a science communication module inspired her to begin a career in PR. She started out in the world of technology PR, but was soon seduced by Spotlight and the world of travel.
Being such an active part of the PR team at ILTM Cannes since 2022: seeing all the hard work come to fruition during events at the shows, as well as having the opportunity to build relationships with so many media from around the globe are her particular highlights to date.
A voice actor in her spare time, Georgia regularly needs to approach character material with different perspectives, an important skill she believes translates well to PR. Also a painter, she loves to bring her creativity to crafting pitches and writing copy.
creative, diligent,
adventurous
Gabriela Faulkner
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Gabby says moving to the UK to study at university helped her build character, personality and confidence – key attributes in the world of PR, where developing strong relationships is paramount. Winning a PR prize while at university became her inspiration to explore a career in the industry, something she is delighted to say has been an ideal choice so far.
Gabby is particularly proud of a recent guest designer collection launch for an American luxury interiors brand. Handling everything from catering to cocktails; media invitations to on-the-day management, she says the event exceeded all expectations.
Gabby is passionate about travel, food and meeting new people, whether exploring far-off places or just around her local area. Curiosity keeps her eager to learn and develop, both personally and professionally, and her love of the outdoors helps her connect with exciting people and places.
confident, congenial, empathetic
Kathleen Shannon
PR CONSULTANT
A newcomer to the UK, Kathleen’s career took her from Canada to Asia, before she settled in London and joined Spotlight in 2021, where she brings with her 15 years of experience in travel and hospitality PR.
There are few things Kathleen likes better than getting involved with clients from the ground-up to truly see how Spotlight can build results that reverberate into business success. She’s also always proud to see honest and professional PR advice be well-received by clients – something Spotlight excels at.
Kathleen draws inspiration from having worked with a plethora of people from around the world, and all the diversity of opinions and working styles that come with it.
pragmatic, persuasive, purposeful
Erica Keogan
PR CONSULTANT
A self-confessed ‘professional organiser’ – as well as a brilliant communicator – Erica joined Spotlight in 2016 to support the team with the complex logistics of media programmes across the ILTM Portfolio of events, and her skills are regularly put to excellent use.
When the tremendous amount of work in delivering the media programmes for the ILTM Portfolio of events concludes for each and every event, Erica is always beyond proud to see it all come to fruition, having succeeded in truly connecting the media with the world of international luxury travel.
An enthusiastic furniture restorer, home designer and gardener, Erica is always on the lookout for the next project and loves to use her travel experience to inform and expand her style even further.
empathetic, calm,
relatable
job opportunities
If you are interested in working with us at Spotlight Communications, please contact us at hello@spotlightcoms.com and let us know your inspirations and ambitions – we’d love to hear from you.
