Vicky Clapham
Vicky Clapham is the Managing Director of Bevic Marketing & PR Services, an award winning agency which provides outsourced marketing and communications to purpose-led organisations and businesses.
Vicky is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, a member of the PRCA and sits on the board of Directors for No Phones at Home, a CIC dedicated to raising awareness and education around the use and impact of smart devices to ensure healthy psychological development of children.
- Tell us a little bit about your business…
Bevic Marketing & PR Services is your expert outsourced marketing and PR support. We work with good people doing great things and make it our mission to ensure that other people get to know about it!
Our clients often describe us as friendly, hard-working, and results-driven. We pride ourselves on being straight-talking, fun, and creative. Based in Yorkshire, we work with value led, socially conscious public sector organisations, SMEs, charities and solopreneurs across a wide range of industries.
- How did you get into the industry?
I first was introduced to marketing at university, when I was studying English Literature and Language at Newcastle University, and I saw a Brand Manager role advertised in the student union. I applied for the job, got that and really enjoyed marketing mobile phones to students.
I left university and got a job as an advertising and communications assistant and began taking my CIM qualifications, which instigated a 20 year career in the industry.
- What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
I think within the marketing industry, one of the biggest misconceptions is thinking it’s all about digital, when there’s a whole spectrum of activity and channels available to amplify a business’ marketing strategy and communication with their target audiences.
The rapidly evolving world of AI is also an interesting one for the industry, particularly in areas of copywriting and content generation.
- How would you describe your leadership style?
Having recently completed the L3 Leadership and Management course with the WECAN initiative with Leeds Beckett University, I’m aware that my own style is one that aims to get the most out of the individual and the team by adopting a supportive, trusting and motivating approach. The team is currently all female and it’s important to me that they feel empowered and confident in themselves and their work. I am part of a number of groups and organisations that support and champion women including Inspiring Women Changemakers, an ambassador for Women Friendly Leeds, Yorkshire Businesswoman and have signed the Yorkshire Business Charter on Domestic Abuse.
- How do you get the most out of the people who work for you?
I like to give them the autonomy to be creative and plan their time/work load whilst making sure they know they have my support and their to ask any questions/ideas. I have been fortunate to work for some great companies, and enjoying my job has always been important to me. I’d want my team to have that same feeling.
- What are the most crucial elements to your business running smoothly and being successful?
Planning and communication is key. There are numerous plates spinning simultaneously at any one time and that involves knowing what is due when, who is doing what. It’s also important to factor in time to reflect, brainstorm, plan and innovate which can be easier said than done, but when you work in a sector like marketing and PR, it’s essential.
- How has the past 12 months been for you?
It’s been a brilliant year, being involved in some great initiatives and campaigns for existing clients, as well as starting work with new organisations and sectors. We had a new VA join the team, and we’ve won a number of awards for our work which is great.
- What will the next 12 months look like for your business?
We have a fantastic variety of clients who we work closely with, and seeing them continue to grow, and develop is a joy and I’m excited to be part of their ongoing journeys. I also love the unforeseen projects and new clients that are introduced to us.
- What are the highlights of your career so far?
There’s been a number of high points, from when I worked in retail and seeing the idea of transforming empty units into community collectives come to life, to being the Marketing Director of a regional TV company that was smashing records and awards for its content, to winning the Prolific North Marketing Award for Best B2C campaign in 2022 with Bradford BID and their city gift card, and seeing one of client’s on The One Show to being part of ground breaking campaigns, like No Phones At Home, This is Yorkshire Beauty and the Speaking Out: Domestic Abuse and the Workplace.
- What’s the biggest business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
Don’t make assumptions. Get clarity on who is responsible for what and when. It can be easy to assume someone has something covered or checked and it’s not always the case, so check and double check if necessary.
- What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
When one door closes, another one opens. There’s always new opportunities around the corner.
