Paul Charles launches The PC Agency and buys Angel Publicity

Richard Branson’s former comms director, Paul Charles, has launched a new travel PR agency, The PC Agency, and bought travel consultancy Angel Publicity, with its founder, Emma Cripwell, taking the helm as MD.

Charles created The PC Agency after co-founding his previous agency, PCC, with Julia Perowne in 2011, having previously worked with her at LEWIS PR, where he was COO. Before that, he was comms director for Sir Richard Branson at Virgin Atlantic, and comms lead for Eurostar.

Before moving into PR, Charles worked as a radio and TV presenter at BBC News, where he reported for programmes including BBC Radio 4’s Financial World Tonight, Today, Money Box, Inside Money and BBC World Service’s World Business Report.

Cripwell created Angel Publicity in 2011, having previously worked in a freelance capacity for Western & Oriental Travel. Before that, she was at Ann Scott Associates, where she handled the publicity for Mandarin Oriental London, Oberoi Hotels and Greaves Travel.

The combined new 21-strong team, based in London’s Notting Hill, aspires to be the ‘go-to’ consultancy in the travel and lifestyle sector representing airlines, hotels, tour operators, tourism boards, spas, cruise lines and restaurants.

Clients include The Pig Hotels, Lime Wood, Portetta, COMO Hotels and Resorts, Le Sirenuse, La Sultana Hotels, The Arts Club, Hartnett Holder & Co, The Wild Rabbit, Bamford Haybarn, Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Ireland, Aer Lingus, Finnair, Visit Finland, Silversea, Monaco Tourism, Peligoni Club, Kamp Collection Hotels, Oliver’s Travels, ITC Hotels, Lower Mill Estate and Blue Chip Holidays.

The senior team at The PC Agency consists of associate director Philip Allport, formerly a media relations manager at British Airways, and account directors Sarah Potter, Charlie Dyer and Sarah Puddle.

Cripwell said: “I feel extremely flattered that Paul Charles has chosen to acquire Angel Publicity. Having tracked Paul’s career over the past few years, he is one of the few people within our industry who has the same working ethos as Angel. Together, our respective client list offers traditional and social media, and future partners, a huge variety of stories, respected products and industry-leading figures.

“We aspire to create a “go-to” consultancy which offers not only the finest advice but also a vibrant atmosphere for our teams, clients and journalists to enjoy.”

Charles added: “I’ve always wanted to create the best team possible in this sector and combining great colleagues at The PC Agency with Angel Publicity is a real dream. Emma Cripwell and her team are hugely admired by the best journalists and hoteliers alike. Together, we’ll be able to offer in-depth consultancy to the finest hotels, airlines, tour operators, tourism boards and cruiselines based on years of experience, crucially in-house as well as agency-side.”