Open to opportunities

Karl Blockwell

@karlblockwell

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Senior marketing and communications manager driving brand growth, visibility, and reputation.

United Kingdom

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a marketing and communications role where I can combine strategic judgement with hands-on delivery—growing visibility, strengthening reputation, and sharpening market positioning, using modern content, digital/SEO, and AI-driven production to deliver measurable results.

I’m an award-winning senior marketing and communications leader with a track record of helping brands grow visibility, strengthen reputation, and sharpen market positioning. I bring both strategic judgement and hands-on delivery across financial services, construction, healthcare and life sciences, property, education, technology/software, insurance, and legal and professional services.

Most recently, as Marketing & Communications Manager at Shaw & Co Corporate Finance, I positioned the firm as a national disruptor—supporting record-breaking £3m turnover—and built multi-channel content and digital programs that delivered a 300% uplift in organic search traffic, a 50% increase in LinkedIn followers, and an 81% website visitor increase. Previously at DAS UK Legal Expenses Insurance (now ARAG), I led content and PR outcomes including a 585% increase in media coverage (2,219 pickups) and a 535% rise in traffic, while also managing crisis communications during a period when the former CEO was on trial for fraud.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Marketing & Communications Manager

Shaw & Co Corporate Finance

Aug 2021 - Mar 2026 (4 years 7 months)

Positioned the firm as a national disruptor, achieving record-breaking £3m turnover in FY 24/25. Delivered multi-channel content, PR and digital growth including +81% website visitors (147 pieces in 18 months), +83% press coverage, +300% organic search traffic via AI-led SEO optimisation, +50% LinkedIn followers, and 30 BD email campaigns/year with 40% open rate and 13% click rate.

Strategic Marketing Content Strategy SEO Digital Marketing Social Media Management Email Campaigns Budget Management

Marketing & Communications Manager

DAS UK Legal Expenses Insurance (ARAG)

Aug 2017 - Aug 2021 (4 years)

Led marketing and communications, driving a 585% increase in media coverage (2,219 pickups) and transforming digital presence by decommissioning 122 microsites and replacing them with four corporate sites to deliver a 535% traffic uplift. Oversaw nearly 100 legal advice articles across channels, grew social impressions by 300%, managed PR for new product launches (including an Amazon Alexa skill),

Content Production Crisis Communications SEO And Website Content Social Media Content Thought Leadership Stakeholder Management

PR & Communications Manager

Triodos Bank

Jan 2017 - Jul 2017 (6 months)

Oversaw UK PR and communications for Triodos Bank, supporting a sustainable banking strategy focused on lending £700m+ to environmentally aware organisations and projects.

PR Strategy Media Relations Communications Planning Stakeholder Management Reputation Management Internal Communications Digital Awareness

Regional PR Manager

NatWest/RBS

Dec 2015 - Dec 2016 (1 year)

Managed regional PR for Wales and South West England, devising news stories and regional angles for national announcements while positioning spokespeople through opinion and comment opportunities. Provided 24/7 crisis management support as an on-call press officer and mentored start-ups and SMEs at NatWest Entrepreneurial Spark hubs in Cardiff and Bristol.

News Generation Media Relations Thought Leadership Crisis Management Stakeholder Management Mentoring Messaging And Positioning Reputation Management

PR & Communications Manager

Capita Property & Infrastructure

Mar 2007 - Nov 2015 (8 years 8 months)

Led housing, healthcare and transport sector marketing and communications, producing 300+ proactive announcements per year and managing a 24/7 press office with rapid media responses and crisis guidance for executives and board directors. Directed website content strategy (including redevelopment), drove internal communications with 500+ intranet stories per year, supported public affairs with spo

Content Strategy Crisis Communications Thought Leadership Public Affairs Digital Content Internal Communications Brand Development

Account Director

FBA PR

Dec 2005 - Mar 2007 (1 year 3 months)

Managed client PR accounts including launching Vodafone’s mobile games service to the games industry and general public. Oversaw a £15,000/month trade and consumer PR account for Virgin Megastores and supported high-profile launch activity including the UK launch event and media relations for Natuzzi.

Account Management Media Relations Stakeholder Engagement Trade And Consumer PR Copywriting Relationship Management Budget Awareness

Freelance PR Director

Various (Freelance)

Sep 2002 - Dec 2005 (3 years 3 months)

Delivered freelance PR leadership across major entertainment and consumer brands, including launching Vodafone’s mobile games service and overseeing a £15,000/month trade and consumer PR account for Virgin Megastores. Coordinated UK launch and media relations for Natuzzi, Italy’s furniture brand.

Freelance PR Delivery Media Relations Campaign Execution Launch Communications Stakeholder Management Copywriting Trade And Consumer PR