SNAPDRAGON WHO WE ARE

We are a team of Built Environment specialists who work across offices in London, Cambridge, and Birmingham, and have consultant reach to the South East and South West of England.

We employ an intelligent, analytical, and bespoke approach to every campaign we work on. We also have a network of Built Environment researchers who support the team in delivering individualised services to clients.

CONTACT US

Our Team

Will Savage

Head of birmingham

SIMON DARBY

Head of East of england

NATASHA KENDALL

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

LAUREN WHIPP

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Jade Bennett

Account Manager

Sam Pugh

Account Manager

HODA TAHER

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

ALEX WRAY

Account Executive

Contact Us

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Email Will

Will Savage

Head of Birmingham

Will initially joined Snapdragon in 2014 after completing his Masters at King’s College London, alongside a brief spell working for an MP in Westminster.

Having contributed to a number of significant land promotions in London’s Green Belt, Will joined a Birmingham-based agency in 2016 before returning a year later to spearhead Snapdragon’s expansion into the Midlands. After working on the region’s biggest development schemes, Will has a specialist understanding of the area and can deliver across a range of projects.

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Simon Darby

HEAD OF EAST OF ENGLAND

Simon is a highly experienced consultant, having worked in public affairs and communications for over seven years.

He advises clients on navigating the policy, political and regulatory environment impacting their business and helps them to engage with policymakers and wider stakeholders. Simon has an extensive track record of delivering successful public affairs and PR programmes for clients to help them achieve their objectives.

Simon is responsible for setting the strategic direction of our work for clients and leading account teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality campaigns. During his career, Simon has worked with clients across a range of sectors. Notably, this has included organisations within the housing & regeneration, consumer affairs, tax & employee benefits, transport and outsourced public services sectors.

Simon has worked with organisations at both a national government and local government level and has particular experience of supporting clients to engage with London policymakers, both at a pan-London GLA level and with individual Boroughs.

Email Natasha

NATASHA KENDALL

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Natasha joined PLMR in 2021 as an Account Director.

With over three years experience working within the built environment sector, Natasha has successfully helped developers gain planning consents for a number of commercial and residential schemes in London and the South East. She has experience working within many of the London boroughs, which has allowed her to build up good political connections across London.

Prior to entering the world of planning communications, Natasha worked for former Hull West and Hessle MP, Alan Johnson. She is also an active member of the Labour Party in London. Natasha has a BA in History and an MA in International Politics.

When she isn’t working or canvassing, Natasha can often be found baking or taking a ballet class.

Email Lauren

LAUREN WHIPP

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Lauren has worked in the built environment for nearly four years having worked in consumer public relations prior to this. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and completes regular CPD with the aim to become fully accredited in 2021.

Lauren has helped to secure planning consent for a number of schemes spanning commercial, residential, and retirement living. She also has experience working on a number of Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan allocations and associated Masterplans. As part of this experience, Lauren helped secure a Local Plan allocation for a c.1,250 home, mixed use site in Essex and worked closely with key stakeholders on the development of the Masterplan. The Town Council stated that the engagement undertaken should be used as a “model for future development engagements of this type”.

Lauren has a track record of building strong relationships with key local representatives and enjoys the opportunity to alter stakeholders’ views of development.

Email Jade

Jade Bennett

Account Manager

Jade joined PLMR in 2019 and is based in the East of England regional office, working on accounts across the area. Specialising in planning policy and the built environment, Jade works predominantly in the Snapdragon team however she also supports and leads on a range of clients across the Public Affairs sector.

Jade provides strategic communications and media relations support across a variety of sectors, including environment, health, technology, planning and Life Sciences.

Having graduated from the University of Bristol with a BSc in Politics and International Relations in 2019, Jade has a strong knowledge of regional, national and international policy.

During her time at University, Jade focused her studies on environmentalism and climate change, and she is passionate about the green aspects of planning policy; particularly the future of sustainable placemaking and the national agenda to achieve Net Zero.

Email Sam

Sam Pugh

Account Manager

Sam is based in our Birmingham office and works on accounts across the Midlands.

His skills lie in stakeholder analysis, media relations and political engagement and supports the wider team on research and strategy implementation for client accounts.

Sam holds an MA in Politics from the University of Glasgow and has varied experience across politics, policy, and journalism. He previously worked at Glasgow City Council in their Economic Development team and has been published in magazines such as the New Statesman.

Email Hoda

HODA TAHER

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Hoda joined PLMR as a Senior Account Executive in May 2021, where she supports Team Snapdragon with its work in the built environment sector.

Prior to joining PLMR, Hoda worked at a planning and development consultancy, SP Broadway, working with clients on projects varying from residential to industrial, predominantly in the South of England. There, she also managed an extensive programme of roundtable discussions with politicians, developing a strong network of contacts at the national, regional and local level.

Hoda graduated from the University of Exeter with a degree in Politics and International Relations, and was Social Secretary of the Politics Society. During her studies, she also spent a summer abroad at Beijing Normal University.

Email Alex

ALEX WRAY

Account Executive

Alex joined PLMR in 2021, after graduating from the University of York where he studied Politics BA. Focusing on planning policy and the built environment, Alex works predominantly on the Snapdragon team however he also supports clients across the wider Public Affairs sector.

During his time at University, Alex focused his studies on Politics in the UK, Ethics and Public Policy and British Foreign Policy after the Cold War.

Alex previously worked as an Operations Administrator at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, a Research & Policy Assistant at Living Bankside and served as the Disabled Students’ Officer in the University of York Student Union.