Sharon Cain

When she wasn’t popping up on our screens as a reporter for Sky TV, HTV and BBC North, she was a reporter and producer for numerous radio stations in Britain, as well as Metro Radio in Hong Kong.

It meant a thrilling life at the edge of everything that happened, and a lifelong taste for challenges and faraway places; but the adventure really began when she launched Quest full-time in Harrogate in April 2001.

Her PR company has since grown into a multi-award-winning venture, expanding at an average of 34 per cent year on year.

Not only did Sharon win the Institute of Public Relations’ regional Best Sole Practitioner in 2002, Quest became the only UK PR agency to scoop the industry’s Best Small Team category for three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007.

Along the way, Quest was also awarded The Press Small Business Of The Year accolade in 2005.

Quest’s eight-person team includes former journalists from the Sunday Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, Reuters, Sky TV and BBC, as well as directors from large PR agencies.

Of Quest’s 30-strong client portfolio, more than 85 per cent are retained, one third have been with Quest since 2005 and 14 per cent since 2002. They span the multinational Goodrich Corporation (2001), global CEO organisation Vistage International (2001) and also include UK Trade & Investment, the Institute of Export and Hendersons Insurance Brokers.

The agency has also ramped up its branding and profiling with a new website, blog and presentation templates.

Meanwhile Sharon lists her interests as – people, media, eccentricity, running (completed the Great North Run six times), cycling (completed a 160-mile bike ride twice) and now add to that early morning swimming…

Which job (other than your own) would you like to have and why?

Martin Scorsese’s. As a film director of Taxi Driver and Goodfellas he has transcended the very meaning of talent.

Greatest achievement?

Embarking on the rollercoaster path of an owner manager and building a multi award-winning business, which is still growing by more than 20 per cent in this brutal economic climate.

Biggest mistake?

Not stopping still long enough in my frenetic but immensely exciting journalist career to stop and smell the flowers.

What makes you most angry?

Sloppiness and poor quality.

Perceptions of the UK’s service industries are abysmal and we need to instill pride and motivation in the guys and gals in those low-paid jobs.

What makes you laugh?

Eccentricity and fast-flying Liverpool humour.

What fools do you suffer least?

Those with all consuming egos who talk at you, yet are devoid of one ounce of humility.

Whom do you most admire and why?

I have a great affinity with owner-managers, respecting them for their grit and determination.

What do you need to make life complete?

My maverick husband, Steve, my dog Mischief, my fabulous circle of friends and opportunities to travel off the beaten track. This year we’re backpacking in Vietnam and Cambodia.

How do you relax?

What does that word mean?!

I do the Great North Run for Henshaws charity every year as well as coast- to-coast charity cycle marathons with MD development forum Vistage.

I try to be in the swimming pool by 7am on weekdays.

Why do you make a difference?

Witnessing the impact of the doors and opportunities that Quest has opened for the highly deserving owner managed businesses who commission us (some clients are still with us seven years later) is indescribable.

Name the organisation (apart from your own!) that you see as closest to perfection and why.

Freshwater PR. It has catapulted up PR Week’s Top 150 consultancies league and now stands at number 30.

Favourite record?

Johnny Nash: I Can See Clearly Now – cheesy, maybe, but the weather/life analogy is simple, powerful and oh-so-true.

Your epitaph?

Sharon had a great tenacity, a zest for life – and never gave up!