About Us

Director

Roy

I left school at 14 wanting to play for Spurs. My Dad had other ideas and thought I should work in print industry.

Getting a 6 year apprenticeship as a compositor at the local newspaper (Herts Advertiser) was truly amazing as my reading and spelling skills were well below par.

I became Father-of–Chapel (shop steward nowadays) aged 20 and moved to the sales team at 25 before starting the Review Newspaper at 32 in 1973.

It was in 1978 BAe (British Aerospace as it was known) the largest employer in Hertfordshire with aircraft, satellite and weapons division in Hatfield and Stevenage. They asked me to form an Advertising Agency which involved the launch of the new BAe 146 whisper jet. That agency was William Lawrence Advertising. This new agency operated inside the same offices as the Review Newspaper up until 1987 when I sold my interest in the newspaper. This move saw the agency expand, to at its peak, 16 employees and we all enjoyed the very convenient offices in Clifton Street, St Albans near the city centre.

Our clients often call in for a coffee or to discuss their requirements with my staff as if they have been lifetime friends.

This environment tells me I must be doing something right!

I was instrumental in getting Sunday football acknowledged by the Football Association and I have been president of the St Albans Sunday League for over 40 years and have a 50 year medal from the FA for my contribution to local soccer.

Director

Maureen

Tony

Head of Operations

Ally

I started work just after leaving school for the local free newspaper in St Albans called The Review, (which was one of the first Free Newspapers in the Country) for Roy Scott who was also the MD of WLA, as a motorcycle courier. No faxes or emails then!!

Over a 40 year period I have worked in every department, from picking up copy on my motorbike from clients, processing copy, planning the weekly paper to producing artwork ready for printing, selling advertising and even delivering the newspapers to the delivery agents, only Editorial ever eluded me.

WLA was an integral part of the Review operation until the newspaper was sold by Roy in 1987. The WLA operation was kept on by Roy and I along with others moved over to keep WLA on the upward track it was going and still enjoys to this very day.

Although many, many things have changed dramatically over the year’s, the professional, friendly and personal service that has been synonymous with the WLA ethos has not.

That I believe is the reason for our continued success.

Account Director

Jim

Head of Creative Design

Mem

As the Head of the Creative team for the past 10 years, I oversee the entire running of the studio as well as steering the creative journey for all projects, from that initial spark to directing visuals and overall concepts.

Working on a variety of projects from websites to branding, from digital to traditional media, my skills and experience spans across our complete digital, print, media and brand service.

As well as being the creative spark, I also assist the Account Managers with the management of clients and am always happy to host our clients for lunch in our offices or to pop and visit you to discuss the next up and coming project.

Graphic Designer

Kerry

Hello. My name is Kerry, I am a Graphic Designer at WL. Initially, my tutor at Oaklands College put me forward for a 3 month trial at William Lawrence and I have been here ever since. That was eight years ago! 

What I love about working here is getting experience in all sorts of multimedia – Brand Strategy & Design, Social Media Management, Digital Marketing and Print design. 

My most enjoyable project I’ve worked on so far at WL has been an Oaklands College project. It was to create a whole new brand identity for their “Animal Antics Parties” This involved designing; a new logo, leaflets, business cards and even online/outdoor banners. My experience on adobe Illustrator allowed me to drawn creative 3D cartoon style images of the various animals they have at the parties, doing this really brought a sense of fun and vibrance to the role.

Head of Online Development

Sophie

After graduating with Honours in Computer Science from Queen Mary University of London in 2008, I decided to start up my own marketing company. I was consequently head hunted and spent 4 years as a Web Developer at a Central London Media company honing in on my Project Management, Coding & Development skills.

A few years later, as fate would have it, I had a chance meeting with an old school friend (Mem) in none other than the door handle isle in B&Q, of all places! We later arranged a meeting to see what I could bring to WL and the rest is history!

I love the homely and friendly atmosphere at WL and very much enjoy working with the entire team. I also believe my work ethic and attention to detail work very well in tandem with their ethos and mission.

Marketing Manager

Amanda

On joining WL, after working in the travel industry, it was a steep learning curve. But after 18 years of growing up with the best in the industry and beginning as ‘young Amanda‘, but now Panda!’ (long story!)

I am confident that I can offer advice, support and organisation for any industry from not just my knowledge but of my colleagues around me.

I love the industry I work in as it is constantly changing and impossible for any individual to know it all but I can always find the answer!

I enjoy how, as an Account Manager, I look after the job from start to finish to ensure my clients are happy. I believe this is why clients have been with me for years! People are often confused by fancy words with all the advances in technology …. I pride myself in explaining it in a way that is simple to follow and not mind boggling like some! All my clients want are results and are not overly bothered about the fancy tech words or graphs but of course we can deliver these!

Together we can find the right solution for your business.

Marketing Manager

Esther

I have been part of the WL family for the past 11 years bringing with me all the invaluable experience that I gained from working over 20 years locally for two of the major media groups in the UK.

For the past 11 years I have embraced the opportunity of being able to expand what I am able to offer my clients. Not just traditional marketing, but also digital marketing and creative design. Anything so my customers get successful results in the modern world.

I pride myself on the customer service that I give to all my valued clients. From small companies that need direction to managing big budget advertising accounts across many different niches. I flourish under the most challenging of projects and have an exceptional ability of seeing ways of putting the skills of others within WL to best use.

I am commercially aware and can prioritise objectives and is constantly looking for improvements.

My key strength is to understand my clients’ needs and develop strong relationships based on trust and confidence.

Outside of work I am passionate about my family, fitness, reading and wining and dining in lovely restaurants. Greece is also another great passion!

Marketing Manager

Kirsty

I have worked in advertising for over 7 years and recently joined the team at William Lawrence.

Marketing is my passion and I love to be involved in helping businesses flourish by building on their brand awareness. Whilst in my previous role with an established magazine, I found myself working very closely with WL and I’m very excited to have joined such a professional team.

Myself and all of my colleagues share a real enthusiasm towards helping our customers succeed and this is where I believe our service truly excels above and beyond the service offered by other agencies.

Marketing & Communications Manager

Michelle

I am the Marketing & Communications Manager at WLA and my remit is to ensure that all forms of marketing – including social media – meet the exacting standards we are known for. Working on marketing strategy, brand development, and creating social media content, I am also responsible for increasing the profile of WLA through digital marketing and PR activity.

I joined WLA after a career spanning 20+ years in brand/product marketing and business development in the TV & Entertainment industry, working for names such as Disney, HIT Entertainment, FremantleMedia , and Scripps Networks (Food Network and Travel Channel). Most recently I was Marketing & Business Development Manager at The Production Guild of Great Britain, Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden and I also know the publishing arena well, having served at both Penguin and Ladybird Books in product marketing capacities.

Outside of work, I can usually be found either with my family at the cinema, on the golf course, or taking a well-earned rest at home with a good book.

Account Manager

Mike

After leaving College with an Advertising and Marketing based HND in business studies and a Diploma in Marketing, I started my first job in the sales office of British Oxygen Company in North Wembley.

After a year of telesales of industrial equipment and gases, I was reading my local newspaper (the Watford Observer) one evening, and spotted an exciting job opportunity to work for the paper as a sales representative. A successful interview resulted in a position with the area’s premier newspaper group during the hay day of advertising in local press.

This job led to many sales and management posts including Group Advertisement Manager of the Hendon/Finchley Times and later the Watford Observer Group. During this time the successful Limited Edition magazine and the St. Albans Observer were launched. I joined Roy in the late nineties to help William Lawrence, who then were primarily motors based, to grow and develop retail advertising for this expanding agency. I have helped many businesses with their regional and national advertising requirements including councils, departmental stores, retail outlets, health/leisure centres, schools and theatres to mention a few.

Although traditional print advertising had changed over the last decade, it is still exciting to work with a forward thinking advertising agency and encompass the digital developments of today.