Square 1 Media, the PR and marketing agency specialising in mortgages, specialist finance and the wider financial services sector, has today (8th August 2024) announced the appointment of Victoria Hartley, the ex-Contributing and Group Editor of publisher, AE3 Media, as its new Client Services Director.
In the new role, starting in September, Victoria will be responsible for overseeing existing client relationships at Square 1 Media, as well as helping to develop internal structures and identifying opportunities for existing and new clients.
Victoria will be working closely with Square 1 Media Managing Director, Paul Hunt, and its other Directors, Alex Hammond, Scott Philipson, and Rob Griffiths.
Her appointment follows that of Crofton Bonney, previously a Marketing and Events Executive at specialist mortgage lender, Foundation Home Loans, who joined Square 1 Media as a PR Account Manager in August.
Hartley leaves Mortgage Solutions after 14 years at the publication where its reporters won over 20 awards during that period, including Victoria’s two individual best mortgage/trade journalist awards from Headlinemoney and Santander.
Victoria managed the news content, editorial strategy and reporting team, scripted and hosted videos and podcasts and presented events, including The Mortgage and Protection Events, the British Mortgage and Protection Senate, and the Diversity and Inclusivity Finance Forum.
After 24 years in financial journalism, including a period in freelance contributing to titles such as Which? Money and The Guardian, and editorships of three previous financial titles - What Mortgage, Credit Today and Introducer Today - Victoria joins Square 1 Media on the 2nd September.
Square 1 Media said Victoria’s appointment showed the ambition of the business and its commitment to recruiting experienced communication professionals with a raft of experience in its client sectors.
Earlier this year, Square 1 Media appointed ex-national and trade journalist, John Fitzsimons, also as Client Services Director. John has over 20 years’ experience as a journalist and copywriter in the mortgage and financial services sector.
Paul Hunt, Managing Director of Square 1 Media, said:
“Our goal at Square 1 Media is to recruit experienced professionals who have either worked in PR and marketing already, or who have a formidable skill-set in related sectors, such as financial journalism. Victoria clearly has the experience, the knowledge, the contacts, and the skills we are looking for, and will be known right across all the sectors we specialise in, particularly the mortgage market. We have no doubt she will be both a huge asset to our existing client base, and to the business as a whole, and we’re looking forward to welcoming her to the team as we grow our offering and continue to deliver the best results for our clients.”
Victoria Hartley, Client Relations Director at Square 1 Media, said:
“I’m really excited to be joining the team at Square 1 Media and can't wait to get started. The calibre of the personalities involved in the firm with its quality and relationship-driven approach to PR were my incentive to join this growing firm with an excellent reputation for delivering first-class financial services PR. I look forward to building on this and putting my knowledge and strategic experience to good use.”
