LARCHMAKER

An independent-thinking strategy and communications consultancy

Larchmaker Ltd is my trading name.

I'm Rachel Lankester and I love bringing a fresh perspective to any communications challenge.

I look at the big picture and come up with ideas to help businesses flourish.

I analyse where under-exploited potential may lie and craft stories that get to an organisation’s heart and enable real connection with relevant audiences. I work for big international companies, small entrepreneurial businesses and non-profit organisations.

Sustainability is a passion of mine, in all its forms and I help organisations align their financial performance with broader corporate responsibility and sustainable business commitments, developing a more integrated approach to value creation.

Services

Communications Strategy

Would your business benefit from an independent communications strategy review? Hire me for a full or half day core team workshop to sense-check your plans and related communications, ensure everything’s on track, and involve and incentivise your people in the process.

Writing

Websites, annual and sustainability reports, speeches, presentations, articles, blog and social media posts, you name it, I can write it. Let me take on the chore and add creative flair to your written materials. How you communicate with the world is what makes your business stand out.

Corporate Reporting

Corporate reporting doesn’t have to be dull. Let me bring your business story to life, breathing energy through your reports, at the same time making sure you tick all the regulatory and best practice boxes. I've written annual and corporate responsibility reports for Tesco, Millicom, Ashtead Group (14 times!) and consulted on content and best practice for numerous others working with Radley Yeldar, Conran Design Group and Gather.

Sustainability

Unsure whether your CR or sustainability activity is fit for business? I can evaluate your existing efforts and/or set up a programme from scratch. Work with me to put in place on-going initiatives that match your corporate strategy to your core values. I've written sustainability reports for Tesco and Millicom.

Online Marketing

Is your strategy missing online marketing? I can develop your social media presence and run your daily activity, increasing traffic to your website, building engagement with your brand online, and establishing you as the authority in your field. I run all the online marketing for my own businesses, The Mutton Club and Magnificent Midlife. I can even help you set up your own podcast!

Business Development

Need a polished, consistent and effective business development and marketing strategy but too busy doing the day job?

Let me help bring greater visibility to your future revenue streams. So bringing in the business doesn't get lost while doing the business.

“Sometimes all you need is a different perspective and a fresh way of doing the work”

Agency Work

I’ve worked at Director/SVP level in large multi-national communications agencies in the UK and US, and have managed corporate and financial communications projects all over the world. I’ve been employed at Citigate Dewe Rogerson, Capital MS&L and Weber Shandwick, and have worked as a freelance consultant at Headland, Conran Design Group, Radley Yeldar and Gather.

in-house

I was Group Communications Manager for FTSE 100 Smiths Group plc before setting up my freelance communications business in 2007. I also worked in-house for RELX Group as a freelance project manager for their annual report. So I’ve been both sides of the wall when it comes to corporate and financial communications – which adds a certain perspective and insight!

A seriously varied skill-set

As well as my communications experience, I have an MBA and speak fluent Chinese and Spanish, as well as reasonable French. I’m a director of video games company OMUK, founder of Magnificent Midlife and The Mutton Club, and a novice web designer. I’ve been a judge for the HSBC/British Council Mandarin Speakers Competition. I'm an author and podcaster, and have featured extensively in the media myself.

What Others Say

Rachel has done a great job as writer of our last fourteen annual reports and has made an often tedious process much less painful. She is able to cut through the corporate verbiage and articulate our story and strategy in a clear and compelling way, as well as finding the right stories to bring it to life.

Geoff Drabble

Former CEO Ashtead Group

Working with Rachel was a joy and a breeze. She quickly established good working relationships with the team and clients. Her wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise across a broad range of PR disciplines are deployed wtih collaborative grace. And she can do all that in Mandarin too!

Chris Salt

Co-Founder, Headland Consultancy

Rachel is always full of energy and ideas and is great fun to work with. She is a good listener who also speaks her mind. She gets us to think laterally with an instinct for what will work and what won’t. We value Rachel’s advice and involve her in all our major marketing and strategic planning projects.

Hugh Elder

Partner, Gordon Dadds

For More Information

For more information on my services, to discuss a potential interim contract or just to have a chat, please get in touch on rachel @ larchmaker.com.