About
Surge Communications
I’m Lorna. I founded my independent consultancy, Surge Communications, to consolidate the experience I’ve gained during an 18-year career in PR agencies and in senior in-house leadership roles in Sydney, London, Manchester and Liverpool.
I am former Director of PR for JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Head of PR at Trainline and Head of Communications at Thomas Cook Airlines.
Today consultancy clients include On the Beach, Online Travel UK, Michels & Taylor and Blue Light Card.
In 2024 I was a finalist in the CIPR Independent PR Consultant of the Year Award.
Meet Lorna
I’ve worked with high-growth start-ups and global brands and everything in between, also holding senior PR and communications leadership positions at Marriott Hotels, Hilton Hotels and Trainline. As Head of Communications at Thomas Cook Airlines, I was key member of the corporate affairs team that managed communications and complex, intense media and stakeholder scrutiny when the iconic British travel brand collapsed in 2019.
I’ve delivered a number of high impact, industry award-winning campaigns from creative PR that has driven mass awareness and sales with brands like UEFA and Hasbro, to shaping communications strategies and corporate narratives that have helped drive industry change for On the Beach and Trainline.
I’m an issues and crisis expert and have advised businesses during complex court cases and litigation, force majeure situations, cyber security and data breaches, personnel and brand issues, shareholder disputes and more.
I’m from just outside Liverpool and love sport - especially football. I’ve had a season ticket for my first love, Liverpool F.C for 30 years. I am a regular at the gym and was one of those people who invested in a Peloton during Covid - still use it though! I also love gigs and stand-up comedy.
Why Surge?
Outsourced Director of Communications.
You may not have the resource or budget for a PR or Communications function in house, or you’re in that role and need support / counsel with that all-important external perspective.
I will be your outsourced Director of Communications. An integrated extension of your team that will advise, manage your reputation and get people talking about you for the right reasons.
Senior, strategic consultancy.
You may have worked with expensive PR agencies before to find your work has been won by the senior team and then passed on to junior team members, while still paying hefty monthly fees.
I’m a senior consultant, not an agency, and will manage strategy through to execution, as you need, providing significantly greater flexibility and value for your budget.
Honesty, no nonsense.
I’m friendly, energetic and positive. I will deliver strategic, expert counsel with genuine passion for your business that is channelled into the communications delivered on your behalf.
You will get an honest, no nonsense and personalised approach - a true partner that you can trust and rely on when times are good …and when times are tough. The value of an external perspective during these times should not be understated.
“Lorna’s the person I want on the end of the phone when disaster - or opportunity - strikes.”