Our Team

Kevin Read

Chief Executive Officer

Kevin, a highly experienced communications industry leader, has worked in senior consultancy roles for more than 20 years.
He specialises in linking communications strategies with business objectives and working with C-suite teams to tackle complex brand and organisational challenges.

He focuses on devising powerful narratives and curates thought-leadership programmes. He’s worked with global brand leaders, major challengers, new market entrants, governments and NGOs across many sectors including professional and financial services, tech, FMCG, utilities, and with trade associations.

As CEO of Pembroke and Rye he champions analytical and creative approaches to campaign evolution and delivery. He’s a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the RSA, and a visiting fellow at The University ofGreenwich’s Business School.

In 2019 he completed an MA in Digital Media at the University of Sussex. He is finalising a major new book, The Business of Pitching, for Routledge.

Victoria Naylor-Leyland

Chief Commercial Officer

Victoria brings more than a decade’s experience in TV production and video content creation to her role as Chief Commercial Officer at Pembroke and Rye. After studying Theology at Oxford University, Victoria worked at Sky News as a researcher, producer and reporter.

She went on to produce and direct documentaries, before developing and pitching ideas to channel commissioners. Thereafter she took up a Head of Creative and Content role at a leading global PR agency, overseeing the strategy, creativity and delivery of a series of award-winning integrated communications campaigns.

At Pembroke and Rye, she ensures that the latest thinking in multi-channel engagement is applied to everything we do. Combining a keen visual sense with verbal dexterity, Victoria swiftly and elegantly captures, frames and communicates corporate and brand messages.

She has delivered communications campaigns for Bank of Ireland, CYBG, Hitachi Capital and BNP Paribas.

Charlie Hampton

Chief Operating Officer

Charlie has more than 20 years’ experience in communications, with a proven track record in developing and delivering impactful programmes that help companies meet their strategic aims.

Calm, meticulous and results-focused, Charlie is highly adept in the areas of media relations, issue management and crisis communications, and regularly lectures on these subjects at the University of Greenwich.

As Chief Operating Officer at Pembroke and Rye, he oversees the company's account strategies, ensuring open, positive and productive relationships with clients. Charlie has built a wide network of stakeholder contacts, and is focused on delivering exceptional client management, regularly providing strategic counsel to senior management on major business issues.

He has delivered global communications programmes for leading travel, aerospace, hospitality, property and events companies, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Panasonic Avionics, Canary Wharf Group, SACO, Canadian Affair, Portonovi and Reed Exhibitions.

Client Team

At the heart of Pembroke and Rye is a team of dedicated, intelligent, curious and kind account directors, managers and executives who are focused on doing exceptional work for companies and organisations that we admire.

Every client has a dedicated day-to-day lead who ensures that activity is carefully researched, creatively devised, meticulously planned, flawlessly executed, and effectively measured.

Our talented and diverse account team is continually growing through individual development plans that blend a wide range of client activity with internal coaching and external training.

Culture

We are an open and curious team that thrives on new experiences and shared interests. We are building a dedicated team through year-round  promotion opportunities, diverse social events and passionate client work.

Our team is encouraged to contribute to our office environment whether through looking after plants, treating us to their Spotify playlist or getting involved in the latest brainstorm.

Conversations are lively and inquisitive; we share our knowledge and expertise to help bring the team together and deliver client work that exceeds expectations.

Interns and Placements

As an intern or placement student at Pembroke and Rye, you will be a key member of the team from Day 1 - responding to live client briefs, engaging with media and devising creative campaigns.

Your Line Manager will be on hand throughout to help you make the most of the experience. We pay all of our interns and placement students London Living Wage.

Diversity

We are passionate about building a team that reflects modern society. We welcome all backgrounds, ethnicities and genders.

We work closely with the Taylor Bennett Foundation and other organisations to encourage people from all backgrounds to enter the communications industry.

Our Founders have strong ties with several universities and volunteer in local schools to give talks about career paths into the industry.

Outside the Office

We recognise that  there are many demands on everyone's time, so, our team is encouraged to look  outside the office for inspiration and we work regularly from alternative  locations.

We have a monthly social event with team members taking  it in turns to decide on the activity. We've played neon golf, bowled, been on a treasure hunt around London and taken part in the annual Christmas Quiz  - we never know what is coming next. 

Pet-Friendly

Many of our team are proud pet owners. The human team is joined by dogs, cats, hamsters and even geckos!

Currently they’re welcomed at all our social events via Teams and Zoom when their sleep schedules allow. Photo and video sharing of their exploits is also actively encouraged.

Our office is pet-friendly when we return.

“The people at Pembroke and Rye are fantastic, and it is the people that make the relationship work seamlessly at all levels. This is the reason they are the best PR agency I have ever worked with to date.”

- Adrian Keating, Commercial Director UK and Ireland, Air Transat