Manchester-based PR and communications agency Roland Dransfield has appointed Miri Thomas as head of public affairs and stakeholder engagement.
Thomas brings more than two decades of experience in business journalism, event hosting, content strategy and place-related storytelling, most recently serving as the Manchester-based editorial director at Insider Media.
Her role will focus on shaping strategies that connect businesses to the right people, initiatives and opportunities.
Her remit includes leading high-level stakeholder engagement strategies, supporting inward investment as well as regional growth projects. She will also further develop We Built This City – the agency’s award-winning podcast – into a platform amplifying Greater Manchester and the values that make it thrive.
During her time at Insider, she played a pivotal role in shaping the business conversation across the UK – leading editorial teams, expanding the company’s regional footprint, and championing investment, property, and growth stories that helped companies scale.
Having initially joined Insider’s Bristol office and later launching print editions in the South East and North East of England, Thomas arrives with a strong grasp of local economies and a wide-reaching national network.
“Miri is one of the most respected voices in regional business media, with a proven ability to connect people, places and ideas,” said Roland Dransfield founder and CEO Lisa Morton.
“Her strategic insight and strong understanding of Greater Manchester make her an invaluable addition to our senior team as we scale up our mission to help purposeful businesses make a lasting impact.”
Thomas said: “I’ve spent years telling the stories of the businesses powering Greater Manchester – now I get to help shape those stories from the inside.
“Although I’m an ‘adopted Manc’, Roland Dransfield has always had a deep-rooted commitment to this city. I’m excited to join Lisa and the team to build on that legacy and take it to the next level.”