Meet the Team

Carri Kilpatrick
CARRI KILPATRICK
FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Carri Kilpatrick’s career in beauty started with cutting her own hair age 4 under the kitchen table.

Carri then progressed onto working with her mothers’ vintage powder puffs and Helena Rubinstein cosmetics. Obsessed with beauty products, scents, colours and packaging, coupled with a strong work ethic and attention to detail, the decision to start her own beauty PR agency was a “no-brainer”. From its’ very beginnings, Kilpatrick PR did things differently. Using an in-house ethic with an agency dynamism, clients came and stayed. “Our intention was always to work with our clients, in partnership, to achieve their desired goals.” This is as true today as it was 17 years ago.

Carri now divides her time between home in West Sussex with her husband and 2 children and the office in London. Her daughter is now the one cutting her own hair.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “It would be impossible to choose one all-time favourite beauty product. The staples I rely on include Australian Bodycare Lip Balm, 2true Incredilash, SR toothpaste and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser – although her Minerals powder is a pretty close contender too.”

Saskia Phillips
SASKIA PHILLIPS
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Saskia is Managing Director of Kilpatrick PR and oversees the agency’s portfolio of clients.

Saskia started her career in PR at Ludgate, before moving to the The Prince of Wales’s press office, Mosimann’s and the British Olympic Association, before fulfilling her beauty junkie passion at Kilpatrick PR. The longest-serving member of the team, Saskia divides her team between London and the Brecon Beacons in Wales, where she lives with her husband and two boys Arthur and Joseff, plus their menagerie of three dogs, three cats, six hens and a cockerel.

My all-time favourite product: “Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturiser.”

Jess Bush Sadleir
JESS BUSH SADLEIR
DIRECTOR

Jess joined the Kilpatrick team as press assistant in 2000, after a two-year post-university stint travelling all over the world with Virgin Atlantic.

Over the past twelve years, she has worked her way up to board director, working on brands such as Laura Mercier, Frédéric Fekkai, Molton Brown, Debenhams and Caudalie along the way. Jess has organised and executed a number of large events and more launches than she would care to remember! She has fantastic media contacts and when not working likes nothing more than chilling out with her husband, son Oliver and two (crazy) dogs.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “John Frieda Frizz Ease or Caudalie Premier Cru La Crème.”

Genevieve Nikolopulos
GENEVIEVE NIKOLOPULOS
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Genevieve joined the Kilpatrick PR team as joint Managing Director in 2011, bringing over 20 years experience in beauty PR.

Her past experience also includes glossy monthly magazine Cosmopolitan. She was also one of the early Directors of JCPR where as Fashion Director she headed up the phenomenal Wonderbra ‘Hello Boys’ PR campaign. Other brands worked on there include Coach, La Senza and TK Maxx. She left JCPR to set her own agency Niko PR. Most recently Genevieve spent 12 years heading up the PR for the Sanctuary Spa group both in-house and externally as the brands PR agency.

When not in the office, Genevieve can be found creating culinary delights or re-designing her home along with the occasional appearance on the football touchline cheering on her teenage son!

My all-time favourite beauty product: “Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder, PhytoSpecific is amazing for my unruly hair”

Jenny Pitt
JENNY PITT
DIRECTOR

Jenny is a senior communications specialist with over 11 years experience working both agency and client-side.

After graduating with a first class degree in Public Relations and French from Leeds Metropolitan University, Jenny spent the first half of her PR career at Ketchum London where she worked across Procter & Gamble beauty brands including Max Factor, Olay, Clairol and Head & Shoulders on both a UK and global basis. After moving in-house, Jenny worked her way up to head of brand communications for the King of Shaves Company and KMI, looking after a diverse range of toiletries and fragrance brands.

Jenny joined Kilpatrick in 2010 and brings a flair for strategic thinking and integrated communications – she enjoys pushing the boundaries of what PR can achieve.

Jenny lives in South West London with her husband and two cats.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “Marc Jacobs Lola”

James Kilpatrick
JAMES KILPATRICK
NON EXEC DIRECTOR

James has been on the Board of Kilpatrick PR for eight years and is responsible for finance and corporate strategy.

After spells working for Goldman Sachs, Flemings and Morgan Stanley, he set up an independent venture capital consultancy in 1999, and he now specialises in helping SMEs run their businesses better, implementing development strategies and making them fit for purpose in the digital age. He has an outstanding track record in the digital and media sectors and brings a wealth of experience to Kilpatrick PR and its client base. James splits his time between London and Norfolk, and his wife and daughters are important members of the Kilpatrick PR “expert testing panel!”

My all-time favourite beauty product: “I have to admit to having dabbled in ‘guy-liner’ in my youth…”

Anna Wells
ANNA WELLS
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER

With a degree in French and Spanish from Birmingham University under her belt, Anna hotfooted it to London in search of bright lights and streets paved with gold… instead she found the Cath Kidston office and planted her PR roots amongst the chintz.

Swapping polka dots for perfume, Anna joined Kilpatrick PR overjoyed that a rather large beauty habit could be fed in the name of research. A calm, cool and collected presence in the office, Anna firmly believes that a cup of tea and a smile can solve almost anything. When not working, Anna can be found elbow deep in oil paint working on her next artistic venture or waxing her skis, itching to be knee deep in fresh powder.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil.”

Karleen Smith
KARLEEN SMITH
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER

A London girl with a love for beauty, I ventured up to Leeds in 2002 to do a PR degree and I’ve never looked back.

With more than 7 years PR experience I’ve had the chance to work across a range of brands in both agency and in-house. I started my career in agency and after a few years took the leap to the other side to manage the PR in-house at hair brand TIGI. I went back to Lexis PR to work on Boots and on Playtex, relaunching the brand and collaborating with Mary Portas. I moved to the Red Consultancy to work on Neutrogena, Boots, Aveeno and Johnson & Johnson.

In my spare time I like a challenge and love a bit of outdoor life. Although I’m a girlie girl into pretty things, I’m a secret geek who loves a museum, a wildlife documentary or even a bit of bird spotting. I’m a foodie who loves to indulge my passion wherever possible, watching, eating or cooking, I’m not fussy! I love to be active, try new things and travel. 2011 was the year I took up running and I ran my first half marathon in Paris. This year I’m off to Berlin to do another half and then Amsterdam later in the year to do my first full marathon.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation, perfect to brighten up tired skin; Mac Cream Blush in Posey – gives an instant glow and My Clarisonic was my favourite beauty purchase of last year”

Lucy Burke
LUCY BURKE
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER

With a degree in Fashion Marketing & PR, I worked at Mothercare Head Office learning the core of retail PR for 2 and half years.

I then went on to work in-house at celebrity designer Isabella Oliver, teaming up with pregnant A-List celebrities and working New York Fashion Week; a first for a maternity designer! I then took my first very exciting step towards the wonderful world of Beauty PR working with the ultimate fragrance retailer The Perfume Shop, celebrity Hairdresser Micheal Van Clarke and many other retail giants. With a huge passion for the beauty industry I’ve now worked in PR for the last 7 years and thoroughly enjoy the buzz of all things beauty! I’m a hard-working team player who doesn’t leave the house at the weekend without my lashes on and on a personal level have a somewhat crazy obsession with all things Marc Jacobs.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “This would have to be between my MAC bronzing powder and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream!”

Laura Rockey
LAURA ROCKEY
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

An ambitious fashionista from the Devonshire countryside Laura followed her dream to the big smoke after completing a degree in Fashion and Marketing and began her career in Fashion PR.

After a number of years she decided it was time for a change and when the perfect opportunity arose, jumped at the chance to work in the wonderful world of Beauty and hasn’t looked back since. When not at work Laura can be found searching for unique finds at her favourite markets which include Portobello and Spittalfields.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “Percy and reed volumising no oil, oil”

Becky Griffiths
BECKY GRIFFITHS
PRESS COORDINATOR

Fresh out of university in Birmingham, Becky began her career interning in Fashion PR surrounded by sky high stilettos and fancy frocks.

But when an opportunity to work in beauty PR came knocking, the thought of being surrounded by her favourite anti-wrinkle creams & prescriptive hair care was the deciding factor. A lover of all things beauty, Becky’s desk is a flurry of face masks, lipsticks and designer diaries. Not only is Becky up to date with all things fashion, but is also the first to know the celebrity gossip and believes a traditional cup of English tea can solve anything.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “MAC Russian Red Matt Lipstick”

Ahalya Alvares
AHALYA ALVARES
PRESS COORDINATOR

Ahalya came to London armed with a degree in English Literature, a notebook in hand and dreams of being a big-time journalist.

After interning with several newspapers and the BBC and she came to Kilpatrick PR as a wide-eyed intern and was soon convinced to switch sides to the glamorous world of PR, breaking the latest beauty news. When she isn’t poring over her latest release, or surrounded by a fort of press cuttings, Ahalya can be found exploring all London’s nightlife has to offer or on a weekend sojourn to the countryside.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “Strivectin Overnight Resurfacing Serum and Chanel Coco Mademoiselle”

Natalie
NATALIE SUMMERLIN
OFFICE MANAGER

Natalie started her beauty career as soon as she left school.

Starting as an assistant, she worked her way up to Creative Director and Team Director for salons such as Regis International, Twilo and Headmasters as well as taking part in renowned competitions including the Wella Brit challenge and the L’Oreal Colour Trophy along the way. She decided to trade in her scissors and took on the role of office manager organising the Kilpatrick hub. In her free time, when she’s not flicking through magazines looking for the latest trends you will find her chilling with her friends with a glass of rose.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”

Emma
EMMA MCKEOWN
PRESS COORDINATOR

After completing a degree in Fashion Media & Promotion at Brighton University, Emma emerged from the world of fashionistas and frills to undertake an internship in fashion PR.

When the opportunity arose to work in the world of beauty, Emma didn’t think twice. After working client-side for a start-up beauty company she came back to the world of PR joining the team at Kilpatrick PR as Press Coordinator. In love with all things beauty, Emma is constantly on the look- out for the latest trends and products – especially if they can tame her long locks! When she’s not busy spreading the word for our fabulous clients she can often be found taking in the sea air at home on the not-so-sunny south coast, regularly armed with a camera or two… recording life and loves.

My all-time favourite beauty product: “Kerastase Ciment Thermique and Chanel Coco Mademoiselle”

Olivia Wears-Harding
OLIVIA WEARS-HARDING
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Having studied Magazine Publishing and Public Relations at university, Olivia was destined for great things in the world of PR.

After interning in fashion and beauty, she left her quiet hometown to join Kilpatrick PR in London and has never looked back! A social media maven, she is often found tweeting @KilpatrickTeam. Addicted to high-end beauty essentials, Olivia can often be found in Selfridges Beauty Hall checking out the Bobbi Brown or Tom Ford counter for her latest fix!

My all-time favourite beauty product: “Nars Blusher in Sex Appeal”

Emily Springthorpe
EMILY SPRINGTHORPE
INTERN

Currently studying Public Relations at Bournemouth University, Emily and her love for beauty products decided to leave Bournemouth Beach and hit the big smoke to start a ten month internship at Kilpatrick PR as part of her four year course.

She couldn’t have been more excited to ditch the essays for a year and gain her first hands on experience of Beauty PR- the perfect placement for a beauty obsessed student!

Not only does Emily love all things beauty, she’s also keen on being up to date with the latest fashion trends. When not busy at work, Emily can usually be found browsing Topshop on Oxford Street on the look out for a new bargain.

My All time favourite beauty product: “I could write a very long list! But if I had to choose a few my ultimate faves they would be Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Kérastase Oléo-Relax Smoothing Serum and Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Matifying Fluid which is ideal for oily skin”.

Abi Hopkins
ABI HOPKINS
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

After gaining a degree in Psychology and History at Newcastle University and a stint working in Sydney, Abi has spent the last 15 years in London. She began her PR career working on brands such as L’Oreal and Nivea, and for the last few years has been a consultant for various PR agencies and companies on a huge range of different projects and events. Her love of beauty products has however remained with her throughout her career.

After living in various parts of the city, Abi now lives in SE London – an area she loves…

My all-time favourite beauty product: “Balance Me Facial Oil, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser and Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish”