Karen is one of two owners at York PR and marketing and communications agency The Partners Group, combining her role as board director with an account director role on client campaigns.

Originally established 27 years ago, Partners Group works with largely business-to-business clients throughout the UK in the property and construction, manufacturing, professional services, education, tourism and leisure industries.

Karen graduated from Leeds Trinity University in 1998 with an English and Media degree, a love of writing and a relatively new-found interest in the PR industry, having previously been interested in a career as a press photographer.

Her first job was as an account executive at David Seaward Associates, a small PR agency in Guiseley.

Karen joined Partners in 1999 and was part of the MBO team in 2006, acquiring the business from its original owner.

In 2007, she was voted president of the international IPRTeam network, through which she has co-ordinated international campaigns for a number of clients.

Karen is a qualified business mentor for The Prince’s Trust and a volunteer business mentor for Unltd, a national organisation that supports social enterprise. Through Unltd, she has mentored the award-winning Converge project, based at York St John University.

In her spare time Karen dabbles in making and selling handmade jewellery, as Purple Pebble. When she’s not doing that, she’s currently busy renovating her house or taking her dog for long walks in the Yorkshire Dales.


What job would you like to have other than your own and why?

"I’ve always loved the idea of being a wildlife photographer in Africa, although I know deep down that it’s nowhere near as wild and romantic a lifestyle as I imagine it to be!"


Greatest achievement?

"Buying Partners and seeing it through a tough recession. I can’t take all the credit for that, though; I’ve got a great business partner and brilliant team to thank, too. We couldn’t have done it without them. Completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks is also up there on my list. "


What makes you most angry?

"Bullying, rudeness and arrogance. And people hogging the middle lane on motorways."


Biggest mistake?

"Not learning from previous ones."


What do you need to make life complete?

"My life feels pretty complete as it is, but more hours in the day would be nice, as there’s so much I want to do. And I’d appreciate the ability to instantly transport myself anywhere, so that I could get to Cornwall and back quickly and more often to spend time with my family. We see them a lot, but I’d love to see them more."


Why do you make a difference?

"Because I care."


Epitaph

"I’d like people to say ‘she made a difference’."