James Howell, Managing Director, Southend Rising

Southend Rising is a labour of love. I have lived in the area all my life and I am passionate about promoting Southend to just about everyone I meet. I still encounter some cynical Londoners with their outdated stereotypes, but the growth of the airport and other significant investment projects are changing negative perceptions. Word is spreading that Southend is booming. It is the place to be and the place to invest, and I want to help local businesses capitalise on that.
After leaving Southend High School for Boys I studied journalism and economics at City University, and then entered the world of newspapers. I spent time on the Romford Recorder, Southend Echo, Basildon Echo and the Sunday Times before switching to the world of public relations.
For the last decade I have worked for London’s largest housing association, with responsibility for developing and delivering a full range of PR, public affairs and reputation management activities. My particular areas of expertise are stakeholder engagement, media management, crisis communications, copy writing and editing. I have secured positive publicity in The Times, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Evening Standard, and with BBC News, the trade press and countless local newspapers. I am also an accredited member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and have reached level five at the Institute of Leadership & Management.
Away from PR, I am a published author with three novels under my belt. The Evening Echo ran a feature on my work in January 2014.
With Southend Rising I want to play a part in Southend's renaissance, and help to create an enclave of success and prosperity by the sea.
To get in touch, please email james@southendrising.com
After leaving Southend High School for Boys I studied journalism and economics at City University, and then entered the world of newspapers. I spent time on the Romford Recorder, Southend Echo, Basildon Echo and the Sunday Times before switching to the world of public relations.
For the last decade I have worked for London’s largest housing association, with responsibility for developing and delivering a full range of PR, public affairs and reputation management activities. My particular areas of expertise are stakeholder engagement, media management, crisis communications, copy writing and editing. I have secured positive publicity in The Times, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Evening Standard, and with BBC News, the trade press and countless local newspapers. I am also an accredited member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and have reached level five at the Institute of Leadership & Management.
Away from PR, I am a published author with three novels under my belt. The Evening Echo ran a feature on my work in January 2014.
With Southend Rising I want to play a part in Southend's renaissance, and help to create an enclave of success and prosperity by the sea.
To get in touch, please email james@southendrising.com