Our Team

Ben Hollom FCIMManaging Director

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ben brings more than 20 years of experience to the table with his diverse portfolio of work within agencies and the commercial sector. He has planned and executed complex, multi-strand strategies for high profile brands such as Axa, The FA, Sky and Mazda throughout his career. Ben owned a reputable advertising agency in South Africa from 1994, before moving back to the UK in 2001 to set up and run another successful marketing agency in Bath. After a number of years working on projects with M2 in a consulting capacity, Ben finally made the arrangement permanent in December 2010, resulting in the birth of his baby, M2 Bespoke.

Ben used to be in a band which played all over the world for billionaires, celebrities, and even royalty.

Tom NaysmithGroup CEO

Tom is the CEO at M2 Communications, having joined the M2 group back in 2003. With expertise in both the finance and media sector, Tom was instrumental in the acquisition of US-based news and information provider NewsEdge from Thomson in 2007 and the following merger with smaller rival Acquire Media. Tom was the Chairman of the merged company, heading up its international division until 2009 when he led the management buyout of M2 Communications. He holds a BSc degree in Economics and Politics from the University of Bath.

Tom was the 5th Guildford Cub Scout tea-making champion, two years running. Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. He owns two Rhodesian ridgebacks who help him supervise the office.

Gulli ArnasonChairman & Editorial Director

Gulli uses his vast experience in the media sector and as a financial journalist to focus on the development of new products and electronic publications for the M2 group. Having worked as a freelance journalist for The Guardian, The Independent and BBC Radio 4, Gulli joined Reuters in 2000 before assuming the role of Editor-in-Chief of Icelandic business newspaper, Icelandic Financial News, in 2005. As well as completing his BA degree in Journalism, Photojournalism and Media Studies at California State Universities San Francisco and Sonoma, he also holds an MA in International Journalism from the University of Westminster, London.

When he’s not hard at work behind the scenes of the business, you can find Gulli at the nearest body of water, enjoying a spot of fly fishing.

James L'EsteveHead of Planning & Production

James steers the ship at M2 Bespoke, managing the content and delivery of all campaigns across the board and developing engaging, defined and bespoke briefs that best fit each client’s business needs. His extensive background in content management includes more than 10 years’ experience working within the publishing sector on a wide range of projects. His experience includes working with leading brands in the music instrument field, both editorially and commercially, and creating a magazine and iPad app which won an award at the Content Marketing Awards (CMA) for a magazine iPad app he created.

James blows off steam by touring with his band Empire and frequently plays major festivals, including Download, Glastonbury and Sonisphere.

Toni WaterfallContent Manager

Toni is part of the furniture here at M2, having been around since 2012 – first on a freelance basis and then joining the team in 2013. Her degree in English Language and Communication and extensive background in copywriting has earned her the ‘grammar police’ badge of the office. Toni uses her skills to look after big names from the insurance, retail, travel, lifestyle and hospitality sector, ensuring every bit of content her clients receive is tip-top: on brief, on tone and on time. When Toni’s not at work you can find her testing out new recipes in the kitchen or writing her own ‘foodie’ blog for WHSmith.

Toni is also surprisingly proficient at reciting the alphabet backwards at high speed.

Rachel MorganSenior Content Manager

Rachel puts her 15 years of experience in digital and print consumer lifestyle publishing to good use at M2, liaising with writers and her substantial portfolio of clients to ensure top quality content is delivered on time and to spec. With a BA Hons in Multi Media Journalism, her expertise in the industry helps guide clients to content success.

Rachel indulges in wine, cheese and throwing pots in her spare time. She also used to test out honeymoon locations for a living.

Claire van DykAccount Director

Claire is a content strategist and digital devotee with over 14 years’ experience in marketing. Here at M2, Claire is a key client contact, using her skills to develop results-focused content strategies. During her career, Claire has worked with a wide variety of international brands and her diverse marketing background, including traditional PR and photography, has helped hone her creative approach and made her a valuable asset to the team.

Claire’s hobbies include petting cats that don’t belong to her and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Christine ChristodoulouEmployer Brand Specialist

Christine is our woman when it comes to all things Employer Branding. Anything she doesn’t know probably isn’t worth knowing – or at least, that’s what she says anyway. With 17 years’ experience in the Recruitment and Talent Acquisition business, Christine built her career around creating excellent employer branding for both clients and her employers. Given that 80% of talent leaders agree that employer branding and social content is essential for long-term success in attracting great applicants, you can see why we had to bring Christine into the M2 family.

Accredited with numerous awards and a Writing and Publishing Degree, Christine also has a seriously unhealthy passion for shoes and owns a staggering 320 pairs. While most are yet to be worn, just staring at the famous red soles of her Louboutin’s fills her with joy.

Polly CassidyContent Writer/Editor

Polly is an established member of the writing team here at M2 Bespoke, and our resident legal expert. As well as more than five years’ marketing experience in copywriting and PR, Polly was a paralegal for almost three years, handling both Claimant and Defendant Civil Litigation and Personal Injury Claims. Polly uses her skills and experience to pen a range of blogs and thought leadership articles across a variety of sectors. She is a graduate of the University of Oxford and also has an MA and two legal qualifications (GDL and LPC).

Alex SaintSenior Writer

Alex uses her writing skills to craft articles and blogs for a range of sectors, but her passion lies with travel and lifestyle content. With four years’ experience writing for Travelettes.net, a leading European travel blog for women, as well as freelance experience writing travel-related copy and content for digital and print publications, she joined the M2 family in 2014 and hasn’t looked back.

Alex has enjoyed the odd press trip in her time, her favourite of which was a week-long yachting holiday in Croatia. She also pens her own blog ‘Saints on a Plane’ with her sister.

Dan ChapmanDesigner

Dan is our man when it comes to all things visual, thanks to his ten years’ experience in graphic design. With the ability to take a concept and run with it, as well as having a great eye for detail and presentation, Dan turns his creative skills to a variety of content including infographics, animated video, web design and more. With an increasing number of clients realising the true value of visual content alongside the written word, our resident designer is a true asset to the company.

Dan’s claim to fame is that he once shared a buffet with Ali G. Booyakasha!

Joel GrovesJunior Designer

After completing a BTEC in Art & Design and a foundation degree in Graphic Design & Multimedia at Bristol College, Joel went on to graduate in 2016 with a BA degree in Graphic Design. A three-month internship at a well-established Bristol agency stood him in very good stead for his job here at M2 – a role he’s taken to like a duck to water!

Joel loves a variety of fields within design, with a notable passion for typography.

Joel is quite the musician, and is a self-taught guitar and bass player.

Lisa SwanSenior Business Editor

Lisa is an experienced editor and digital content specialist with more than ten years of experience in online content creation, content strategy, web editing, web content strategy, SEO, social media and copywriting. One of the longest standing members of the team, Lisa’s previous roles included Digital Content Editor at City of Bristol College as well as Deputy Editor at a London-based publishing house. She holds a BA degree in French and American Studies from Middlesex University.

Lisa was once an extra in a Bollywood film. They made her wear bright yellow Lycra. She hasn’t been an extra since.

Liz QuigleySocial Media Manager

Liz heads up the social media team here at M2, putting her skills to work developing strategy and campaigns for us and our clients. A fan of all things social, she manages the company’s various channels as well as its online marketing presence. Liz studied Media Communications at Bath Spa University and is a big music fan – she previously worked on the news team at Glastonbury Festival’s on-site radio station Worthy AM and interned at One Little Indian Records in London.

Liz has a slight addiction to collecting vinyl and retro cameras. All the better to Instagram with, we say.

Zoe PearceNew Business Manager

Zoe is one of the original faces of M2, having worked here since 2012. With a degree in Media Communications and experience working at Bath-based Media Clash Publishing, Zoe uses her considerable expertise to generate leads, develop new business opportunities and maintain excellent relationships with existing clients.

Zoe has a passion for antiques & collectables and can’t resist a good upcycling project. Her claim to fame? While at a work conference in Las Vegas, 50 Cent asked her for a lighter.

Laura MorrisLinkedIn Manager

Laura is our LinkedIn Manager, using her in-depth knowledge of the platform to manage a portfolio of client accounts. With an appreciation for the finer side of culture, Laura graduated with a Master’s of Arts from the University of Bristol and gained experience in the world of digital marketing as content editor for online publication Theatre Bath.

Laura is an accomplished cellist and was once a regular classical performer. She also likes to run and has her heart set on a full marathon someday soon.

Danielle ClarkeSenior Writer

Danielle is one of M2’s longest serving writers and uses her skills to serve up everything from short and snappy blog posts to in-depth thought leadership articles with a helping of infographic copy and video scripts on the side. She is also a qualified editor with a degree in English Literature and Film Studies.

Danielle can’t get enough of the Great Outdoors or think of a better way to spend the weekend than taking off on her trusty mountain or road bike. Consequently, she’s also M2’s go-to weather girl of a Friday.

Jessica ParkhouseContent Writer/Editor

Jessica puts her lifelong love of the written word to good use researching, writing and editing content at M2. With a degree in English Literature and a background in producing content for retailers, food magazines and her own cookery blog, she’s developed the skills to cater to a range of clients and sectors in her current role.

Jessica always wanted to be an author when she grew up and dreams of one day writing a children’s book. She’s still working on the growing up part.

Matt DandoSenior Writer

Matt’s background in sports and music writing began at the tender age of 16 when he composed his local football team’s matchday programme. Here at M2 Bespoke he produces a range of content including blogs, website copy and video scripts for a variety of clients and sectors. Matt graduated with a BA degree in Journalism from Brighton where he also obtained an NCTJ Preliminary Certificate.

When he’s not writing, Matt indulges his obsession with the American South, namely Western films, country music, bourbon whiskey and authentic fried chicken.

Beth LongvilleWriter/Editor

Beth graduated from Falmouth University with a BA in English with Creative Writing. After clocking up experience writing news and features for online and print publications, Beth joined M2 where she composes blogs and news articles for a variety of clients. She also has a couple of advertising agency internships under her belt – one of which she won after entering a competition where she pitched a campaign for the Rubik’s cube.

Beth once jumped out of a plane to skydive 15,000ft over Lake Taupo, New Zealand. We can safely say she has no fear of heights.

Lauren EllisJunior Writer

Lauren is a lifelong bibliophile and recent graduate in English Language with Philosophy and Ethics. Here at M2, Lauren pens a variety of digital content from news stories to evergreen blog articles on subjects as diverse as recruitment, marketing and travel. She enjoyed an international upbringing, living in the UK, Spain and Gibraltar, and her passion for all things related to travel, art and current affairs is showcased on her personal blog, Lauren Writes.

Lauren has a minor obsession with the artist Frida Kahlo and loves to talk politics.

Kim LuscombeSocial Media Executive

Kim studied Business and Event Management at UWE and lives and breathes all things social at M2. Her role includes creating social media content for a range of brands and monitoring trending topics – you’ll also find her taking part in our brand new Twitter chats.

In her spare time you’ll find Kim scrolling through Instagram, hitting the gym, living out of a tent during festival season or covered in glitter at Creamfields.

Patricia JohnsSenior Writer/Editor

Trish is one of our most experienced editors and writers at M2, having been with the company for almost 20 years. Her exceptional eye for detail makes her a valuable asset to the M2 Bespoke editorial team. Trish flexes her skills writing and editing a wide variety of articles and content, covering financial services, IT and technology, marketing, healthcare and the automotive industry to name a few.

Trish holds a Business Studies degree from Coventry University and is owned by two little cats.

Derek FraserSenior Business Editor

Derek is our specialist in all things insurance and finance-related and has composed content for everyone from LV= to Worldpay. With more than 30 years of copy and content experience, he has written across a range of media, picking up awards along the way for clients such as Gore-Tex and British Aerospace.

Regardless of his advancing years, Derek still surfs badly, skis worse and continues to plod, cycle and kayak through various adventure races across the UK, despite the best advice and worse fears of his GP.

Jamie AyresOperations Director

Jamie is responsible for ensuring the thousands of daily news items and articles produced by M2 are seamlessly delivered to multiple drop-points, locations and clients. With more than 20 years of operations and content delivery experience as well as voluntary work developing cost saving, efficiency, IT and PR strategies for startups and voluntary organisations, Jamie keeps the M2 offices running at peak efficiency.

Jamie has a penchant for tormenting the local fauna with his motorbikes and lets off steam by gigging with local bands or eating vast quantities of chocolate.

ZuriOffice Dog

M2 Bespoke’s beloved office dog Zuri (meaning beautiful in Swahili) is a four-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback. She is scared of the rain, the cat and men with beards. She loves chasing squirrels and being within two metres of Tom at all times.

OUR TEAM

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