As a military pilot, Richard has been involved in most campaigns over the past 20 years and is used to being under the scrutiny of the media spotlight. He has been formally trained to deal with the television and radio media and, as a leader and manager, is accustomed to working to tight timescales in a high-pressure environment. In addition to his flying appointments, he has worked in aircraft accident investigation and, more recently, in Whitehall.

David Thomas - Managing Director

Mike worked for Britain 's biggest selling newspaper, The Sun, for 15 years, first as Business Editor and then as Features Editor. He started his career on the Cumberland News before working for BBC radio and then ITV news. He has also worked for other national daily papers including The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Today he combines his role as Editorial Director for Medavia with writing for The Daily Express.

Clive Birch - Publishing Director

From teaboy to editor by 24, Clive worked in marketing, managed consumer magazines and newspapers and then edited the Illustrated London News.  In publishing, he has produced some 750 books to date.  He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was appointed millennial MBE for founding a heritage charity.

Helen O'Brien - Features Editor

As a features writer, Helen has worked for a range of national publications, including Cosmopolitan, Grazia, The Daily Mail and Woman’s Own.  In her role as Features Editor at Medavia, she is responsible for ensuring that the material issued to the media on behalf of our clients meets the company’s highest professional standards.   This usually involves liaising with clients and editors to ensure both sides approve content prior to publication or broadcast.

"A good moment is when a client says they feel that their story has been clearly and sympathetically told. Then I know I have understood them and tuned in carefully to their voice.  For me, writing is about listening.  On a personal note, I write real-life features in order to contribute to discussions about a particular social issue, be it justice, health, relationships or religion. I want to get people talking, not just reading." 

"After one assignment, I received thank you messages from the police press office, the media and the client saying how much they appreciated what we’d done. Feedback like that makes the job worthwhile; you realise you’ve got to be doing something right!" 

"I love the satisfaction that comes from producing work that really makes my client happy. It begins with making sure that I understand what they want – whether it’s raising money, giving a well-deserved tribute to a loved one, or sharing a personal experience. This makes every day worth it." 

"When I was working in television, the imperative was to get the story -- that was what mattered.  Here, if I don’t believe it’s in a client’s interests to go to the press I will say so.  It’s important that my clients trust me absolutely – and it’s crucial to me that I never abuse that trust."

"Although I have worked as a news journalist on a number of titles, my position at Medavia has proved my most rewarding yet. Here, my writing revolves around a plethora of subjects - but all, at its heart, offers an amazing insight into people. My love of journalism revolves around this insight. Talking to men and women from different backgrounds and walks of life, day in, day out, is the best education there is – and in turn, when a client tells me I have expressed their story, emotions and views in a way they have always wanted to do themselves, that is when I feel I have succeeded in my job." 

 

Philippa Walker 

“Writing about other people’s lives commands a great deal of responsibility.  That’s why I wanted to work for Medavia – a company which takes that responsibility seriously. It prides itself on doing its utmost for clients by telling their story sympathetically and in a way which they’re happy with. I learnt a great deal working for one of the West Country’s leading daily newspapers and relish the opportunity to put my journalism skills to good use by working with individuals, charities and different organisations to genuinely help them or the cause they’re promoting”