Available to hire
I’m Nicole Alston, a senior communications consultant and founder of Combobulate PR, with 15+ years in PR and communications and 5+ years writing for brands in complex industries. I’ve led PR programs from inception to execution, forged strong media partnerships, and helped senior leaders shape compelling narratives across energy, pharma, finance, retail, and more. I’ve worked across agencies, in-house teams and across sectors to help leadership teams communicate clearly and credibly.\n\nI thrive on translating complex topics into clear, engaging content—case studies, thought leadership, announcements and internal communications—and I enjoy collaborating with senior leaders, agencies, and freelancers to drive brand reputation and people outcomes.
Experience Level
Expert
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Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Communications lead, writer, PR strategist, contractor at Combobulate PR
September 24, 2024 - PresentAfter more than 17 years of working in communications - across design, PR and corporate comms and for different sectors, markets, agencies and corporates - it was time to start consulting. I have brought together my experience to support business and marketing leaders with their unique needs.
Examples of recent contracts:
• Writing case studies for a technical brand.
• Announcing a CEO change for the SaaS brand HICX (former employer) with media.
• Writing 20+ articles on behalf of senior consultants, aimed at multiple sectors (energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, retail, public sector and more)
• Designing an infographic for a strategy slide for Deliveroo
• Writing internal comms documents (codes, standards etc) for a major beverage brand
If you would like to explore whether I could help you with your marketing or comms needs, please get in touch.
Head of PR for B2B SaaS startup (supply chain tech) at HICX Solutions
July 14, 2022 - August 8, 2024I joined HICX, a software as a service (SaaS) global startup in the supplier data sector, to start up their PR function. I worked in a busy marketing team, overseeing PR, reputation management, and internal comms. My role involved crafting story narratives from complex topics, and then writing articles on behalf of the CEO and internal content with which I trained new joiners. I worked with media to profile the CEO, entered awards to help build the brand's reputation and announced exciting news, such as big investment of $30m, client deals and survey findings.
After three years of building a thriving department, the company's new board needed to cut costs. Unfortunately, marketing was affected, and the PR department was made redundant. (References available from HICX's former CEO and CMO).
Account Director at Thinking Hat PR
July 2, 2018 - July 9, 2021Soon after moving to London, I joined Thinking Hat for 3 years. It was a wonderful agency in which to learn the UK media landscape, and I worked with talented people and on really interesting accounts - a highlight of which was Amazon Business, which I led and renewed. I also worked on London Doctor's Clinic, A City Law Firm and a mental health tech brand called Smart TMS, for which I secured full page coverage in the Daily Mail newspaper.
Account Director at GGi Communications
April 1, 2016 - May 25, 2018I returned to GGi Communications as an account director. I loved this role, and got to lead really interesting accounts, including Amazon Prime Video (for which I launched the "Good Omens" series in Cape Town), Saint-Gobain and a crisis communications for a major beverage brand. After a memorable second stint with GGi, I moved to the UK because my husband had received a great job offer. (seven years on, and the UK has become our home).
Senior PR Consultant at Tribeca PR
June 11, 2015 - December 11, 2015I joined the agency on a short-term contract to support traditional PR activity. This involved media relations, writing and strategy for a range of clients, including an aerospace & defence brand, a university residence and a flight aggregator.
Head of PR Department at Gullan & Gullan Digital
November 3, 2014 - May 29, 2015I was asked by the digital agency, Gullan & Gullan, to head up their PR department. This involved building a small team of three and running multiple big consumer accounts, including Vespa, Snowflake (flour brand) and Nashua.
Account Manager at GGi Communications
September 2, 2013 - October 31, 2014At GGi, I worked briefly on the Coca-Cola account and then managed the agency's new clients: ETC (a government e-tolling system for which I managed crisis communications), Day Clinics Association, and Saab Grintek Defence.
I did corporate profiling, crisis management and reputation building. My coverage included national news TV and radio interviews. It was an exciting year, and I learned a huge amount about corporate comms and reputation management.
Junior Account Manager at Riana Greenblo Communications
October 4, 2010 - August 30, 2013My first job in PR was for RGC, where the founder Riana Greenblo very kindly taught me public relations. I was fortunate to work with Riana because she had owned the agency for around 30 years, and had a wealth of experience in different markets. Towards the end of my 3 years with RGC, I was promoted to work on the Nando's account, and I managed to secure front page coverage for them in the Sunday Times (South Africa) - a true highlight of my early PR career.
Graphic Designer at Paraffin Design
January 31, 2008 - September 30, 2010I started my career as a graphic designer for the restaurant industry, where I designed menus, logos and marketing collateral. In this role, I also managed print production. I spent hours on the printing press, matching colour samples and selecting different papers and effects for my designs. It was a wonderful, creative entrance to the world of working, and one I will always cherish.
Senior Communications Consultant (and Founder) at Combobulate PR
September 1, 2024 - October 28, 2025Wrote case studies and 20+ thought leadership articles for a procurement consultancy; created sector-targeted content; authored management announcements; supported internal policy alignment during a merger; handled media relations including CEO change announcements.
PR & Communications Account Director at Thinking Hat Media
July 1, 2021 - July 1, 2021Led the Amazon Business account; managed PR agencies across the EU; created communications plans; ghostwrote speeches; hosted journalists; led additional client accounts in healthcare, fashion and legal sectors.
Account Director at GGi Communications
May 1, 2018 - May 1, 2018Launched Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens; handled issues management for a major beverage brand.
Senior Consultant at Tribeca PR
December 1, 2015 - December 1, 2015Worked across diverse accounts; refined content writing skills and strategic thinking.
Head of PR Department at G&G Digital
May 1, 2015 - May 1, 2015PR for Vespa; gained digital marketing experience.
Account Manager at GGi Communications
October 1, 2014 - October 1, 2014Reputation and crisis management for a government organisation (e-tolling system).
Junior PR AM and Designer at Riana Greenblo Comms
August 1, 2013 - August 1, 2013Front-page coverage for Nando’s in the Sunday Times.
Graphic Designer at Paraffin Design
September 1, 2010 - September 1, 2010Designed logos, menus and collateral for restaurant brands; oversaw print quality.
Education
BPhil Honours at IMM Graduate School of Marketing
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014Bachelor of Arts at The Independent Institute of Education, Vega
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2007Bachelor of Arts Degree at The Independent Institute of Education, Vega
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2007BPhil Honours (post grad) Degree at IMM Graduate School of Marketing
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Management at The Independent Institute of Education, Vega
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2007BPhil Honours (post-grad) Degree in Marketing Management at IMM Graduate School of Marketing
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014BPhil Honours (post-grad) Degree in Marketing Management at IMM Graduate School of Marketing
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Management at The Independent Institute of Education, Vega
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2007BPhil Honours (post-grad) Degree in Marketing Management at IMM Graduate School of Marketing
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Management at The Independent Institute of Education, Vega
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2007Qualifications
Professional Communication: Business Writing and Storytelling
May 1, 2023 - May 31, 2023Critical Thinking: Problem Solving & Decision-Making in a Complex World
March 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024Professional Communication: Business Writing and Storytelling
May 1, 2023 - May 31, 2023Critical Thinking: Problem Solving & Decision-Making in a Complex World
March 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024Professional Certificate: Business Writing and Storytelling
May 1, 2023 - October 26, 2025Critical Thinking: Problem Solving & Decision-Making in a Complex World
March 1, 2024 - October 26, 2025Professional Communication: Business Writing and Storytelling
May 1, 2023 - October 27, 2025Critical Thinking: Problem Solving & Decision-Making in a Complex World
March 1, 2024 - October 27, 2025Professional Communication: Business Writing and Storytelling
May 1, 2023 - October 28, 2025Critical Thinking: Problem Solving & Decision-Making in a Complex World
March 1, 2024 - October 28, 2025Industry Experience
Software & Internet, Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Energy & Utilities, Wholesale & Distribution, Professional Services, Financial Services, Life Sciences, Media & Entertainment, Retail, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics
Experience Level
Expert
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