Member Spotlight: Rachel Chesters – Founder & Managing Director of Start Communication

1. Introduce yourself

My name is Rachel Chesters, Founder and Managing Director of Start Communication, a B2B marketing consultancy based in Manchester. We have supported businesses with marketing and communications since 2016, locally, nationally and internationally. We work with businesses across a range of sectors, from SMEs to large corporates and publicly funded institutions. Specifically, we offer marketing consulting services, as well as fractional and interim marketing support and campaign management. We also curate teams of specialist freelancers, tailoring our offering to clients’ individual needs – whether that’s copywriting, event management, brand development or digital services. We’re passionate about the vital part that freelance and independent marketers and consultants play in a healthy marketing ecosystem, alongside agency and in-house resource.

2. Career highlight

My personal motto is ‘never stop learning’ so two career highlights for me have to be obtaining Chartered Marketer status and taking part in the executive High Impact Leadership Program, at UC Berkeley.

3. Name three words that describe your personality

Outgoing, enthusiastic and inquisitive

4. What’s the best thing about pro-manchester

The best thing about pro-manchester is the diversity of the people it brings together – from freelancers, to small business owners, to representatives of some of Manchester’s largest institutions and businesses. At a pro-manchester events, you can guarantee there will always be a friendly and familiar face in the room – and plenty of interesting people to network with and learn from.

5. What are your priorities for 2024

To continue scaling Start Communication, growing our client base to provide support that helps bridge the gap between businesses and brands, in-house teams, and agencies.

6. What do you think are the most important things going on in Manchester at the moment?

I’m a big believer in the principles of good employment set out by the GM Good Employment Charter – and proud to now be a named supporter. I am also an Ambassador for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and passionate about the work they are doing across the city region, to raise vital funds to help end homelessness in the North West.

7. Favourite meeting place in Manchester

‘Haunt’ is my current favourite for catching up with a colleague or a client over a coffee. But when I need to get my head down, or book out a private meeting space, I love working from WeWork in St Peter’s Square. It has an amazing view over the Square and the Central Library too.

8. Are there any particular types of businesses that you would like to meet

We love working with businesses of all shapes and sizes, but in particular professional services organisations, educational institutions, non-profits, charities, local government and businesses working in law, healthcare and technology. We’ve worked for some household names and some of Manchester’s oldest and largest institutions.

Get In Touch (optional)

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07872 832 392

LinkedIn: Rachel (Start) Chesters | LinkedIn