Our head honcho, account director and resident photographer, JP has over 20 years marketing experience. Educated in Geography & Geology at Bristol University, JP worked initially as a geologist then for BP in New Business Devlopment. After marketing positions in retail and the Hotel Industry JP returned to the oil industry joining Shell in 1994 before branching out on his own to found Zircom in 1999.

Energetic and adventurous, JP is constantly on the move - running marathons, teaching rugby, playing football, cycling, sailing, snowboarding... and on top of that, working. He brings his high-energy and hands-on approach to the team. JP lives in West Kirby with his wife Julie, and his three children Tom, Ben, Ellie.

Personal
Favourite Quote: "Feel the fear and do it anyway" It's actually the title of a book by Susan Jeffers that helps you develop techniques for tackling things that hold you back in life.
Favourite Animal & why: I don't really like animals. But if I had to choose it would probably be a dolphin because they are great swimmers and highly intelligent - a combination of abilities I aspire to.
Interesting fact: JP grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and whilst at the Sixth Form College was a backing singer for Barry Mannilow at one of his UK concerts.
Person I admire and why: My father-in-law for leading a good life and staying exceptionally positive in the face of adversity.
Charity I support: Cancer Research because it's affected my family very directly and The Princes Trust.

Work
Biggest challenge: Finding quality work opportunities whilst at the same delivering great solutions for clients.
Favourite job: Helping a client's procurement function reach Top Quartile performance. And letting my team get on with fantastic web development.
Recent work I'm proud of: The development of the CO2 calculator is technically interesting and help hauliers find ways of reducing their carbon emissions.
On my mind: How to help my team (and clients) improve their marketing communication skills during a recession. It's a skill set that typically gets down-graded/cut when times are tough. And it's hard to build back-up on the exit.

Links I use...
» CMS Watch
» The Chartered Institute of Marketing
Email: jp@zircom.uk.com

Michael is the innovation guru of the team. After an English degree from the University of Liverpool, Michael spent a year working as an online journalist for Liverpool John Moore's University before joining the Zircom team.

Trained as a copywriter, Michael spends his time translating complicated requests into understandable actions to make sure things get done as effectively as possible. With a natural curiosity to find out "how things work" - he is often the first person we turn to scope a new idea or technology. This balance of left and right-sided brain - creative and rational - makes Michael an indispensable member of the team.

He recently founded the Merseyside Skeptics Society and has a surprisingly bright demeanour for a Newcastle United fan. On top of that, he's Zircom's resident trivia buff, always on hand to dispense interesting and entirely useless information on any topic under the sun!

Personal
Favourite Quote: "It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness " (Carl Sagan)
Favourite Fruit & Why: Kiwi or peach - there's something about the furriness that's disarmingly unsettling. In a good way.
Favourite Animal & why: Ducks - for the fact that scientists used to believe a duck's quack was the only sound which never echoed... until they found out it does. The mistake was scientifically explained by the reasoning that 'ducks don't hang around in places that echo'.
Interesting fact: I'm an amateur playwright and published poet. I also recently got into a fairly large debate/confrontation with a TV psychic, who took a disliking to me asking him questions...
Person I admire and why: Norman Borlaug - 'The Man Who Fed The World'. He did groundbreaking work in the fields of China, India and Latin America to grow stronger crops, and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for 'preventing the starvation of over 1 Billion lives'.
Charity I support: Amnesty International, because denying someone's human rights is to deny their humanity.

Work
Biggest challenge: Balancing the needs of a large number of clients, keeping the plates spinning and finding time to expand my horizons at the same time.
Favourite job: Working on the global rollout of over 20 translations of the euroShell website was a real high.
Recent work I'm proud of: The creation of the new Shell Sulphur Solutions site allowed me to really play with the new tools available to come up with something striking.
On my mind: Measuring newsflash metrics.

Links I use...
» Google News
» Google Analytics
Email: michael@zircom.uk.com

Chris is the dynamo of our team. With a BA in Accounting and Management from Leeds University and an MA in Advertising and Marketing he's both well qualified and highly motivated to deliver your project on time, on budget and maintain quality.

He has worked on just about every aspect of clients' business and we trust him to deliver every time. Most summer weekends Chris heads to North Wales and the beaches of Abersoch, whilst during the winter months he can be found running the midfield of a local Saturday league team. An avid Manchester United fan (who defies the myth that no one from Manchester follows United) who rarely comes into work without a smile on his face following the weekend football.

Personal
Favourite Quote:
"I don't play against a particular team, I play against the idea of losing" (Eric Cantona)
Favourite Animal & why:
Dogs - They are great listeners - a man's best friend and I have two of them, a black and a yellow Labrador.
Favourite Fruit & Why:
Strawberry - Who doesn't love strawberries - irresistible red colour and sweet taste remind me of a good British summer.
Interesting fact:
I was a ball boy at Manchester United during the treble winner season.
Person I admire and why:
I'd have to say my Grandad - He's been there for me as long as I can remember, on hand to listen to my goals and fears, encouraging me when I needed it and discipline me when I went too far. He's always positive but enjoys time to himself to think and reflect and to tinker. The older I get, the more I find myself relating to him. He fought in World War II and is now knocking on the door of 90 years of age, my familiy recently celebrated my Grandma's and Grandads Diamond Wedding anniversary and I only hope I can live a long and fulfilling life like my Grandad has.
Charity I support:
Sport Relief, a fantastic cause that is promoting by the thing I love doing most.

Work
Biggest challenge:
Following strict guidelines whilst trying to incorporate an element of creativity and innovation.
Favourite job:
Interacting with clients
Recent work I'm proud of:
Assisting in the creation and production of external posters and pull ups stands for an IFA (international Fertilizer Assocation) Conference in Shanghai 2009.
On my mind:
Can things be done differently?

Links I use...
» Adweek
» Brand Republic
Email: chris@zircom.uk.com

The youngest member of the Zircom team, Andrew’s youth is in stark contrast to his attitude and approach – eager and diligent, his attention-to-detail is second to none. Having graduated from York University with a degree in Sociology, Andrew has worked in a range of industries from Print Media to Internet Marketing with the Times 100.

With almost 10 years of interest and experience in ICT, Andrew built his first computer at the age of 13 – giving him technical know-how to assess and master a whole range of software and hardware.
 
A keen cook, Andrew enjoys spending his free time creating culinary delights and tasting wine.

Personal
Favourite Quote:
“The harder I work the more I live. ” (George Bernard Shaw )
Favourite Animal & why:
Sharks. If sharks ever stop swimming they die which is similar to my attitude of what will happen if I stop working.
Interesting fact:
Previously, I played Ice Hockey as a 2nd line defence man and was part of the Kingston U16s when they won the English Ice Hockey Championship.
People I admire and why:
My parents for showing me how to be, in the future, an incredible parent.
Charity I support:
Help for Heroes - I appreciate the fact that soldiers are risking their lives on a day-to-day basis for the freedom of others.

Work
Biggest challenge:
Having time to learn and develop new skills whilst maintaining a high quality service for clients.
Favourite job:
Fixing things that are broken.
Recent work I'm proud of:
Making three Shell websites the highest ranked Shell websites, in terms of accessibility, usability and search engine optimisation.
On my mind:
What skills and technical knowledge will our clients be wanting in the future?

Links I use...
» The Register
» Campaign Monitor Blog
Email: andrew@zircom.uk.com

David is the design brain and creative hub of of the team. He is also a technical expert and his mentality of 'there is no problem without solution' is an invaluable asset. Learning his graphical and digital trade at the University of Glasgow and honing his skills at a design agency in Manchester, David made the move down to Merseyside to join Zircom in January 2006.

Glaswegian David keeps the rest of the team entertained with his happy-go-lucky ‘banter' and is a dab hand with an Apple Mac.

Outside of the office, David is a Glasgow Rangers fan. He lives with his girlfriend and cat (Tom), in a house strategically located between the office and the nearest good pub.

Personal
Favourite Quote: "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail"
Favourite Fruit & Why: Apples - loads of different types such as Granny Smith, Braeburn and Pink Lady; they are readily available in shops unlike lychees and the likes; I like the crunching noise they make albeit some of my colleagues don't - but that's their problem! And above all they are pretty tasty. Plus I love Apple Macs...
Interesting fact: When I was younger - I lived in Oman and Kuwait for a total of 9 years. In my mid-twenties I spent over a year traveling Australia, Thailand, Laos and Bali. I also worked in Cyprus and Crete for two years on a Party Boat Cruise.
Person I admire and why: My Dad has worked as an engineer all his life in the UK and abroad and, I believe, has the right outlook on life. He has always supported me and never judged me. More importantly - he is one of the only people in my life that can truely make me cry with laughter!
Charity I support: Cancer Research - for obvious reasons

Work
Biggest challenge: Keeping up with the ever changing and evolving technologies that I use everyday.
Favourite job: Re-branding The Rich Lady and S&DA allowed me to flex my creative muscles. Working on a company logo and designing their brand is the whole point of being a designer.
Recent work I'm proud of: Creating an Invoicing Tool in Chinese has been a technical and linguistic challenge - and it's one I've jumped on and hopefully cracked!
On my mind: How to make banner ads more interactive.

Links I use...
» 6 Music
» Creative Review
Email: david@zircom.uk.com

The latest addition to the Zircom team, Carl is our resident salesman. Having been on the road for over ten years, Carl recently married his long term girlfriend, moving to Zircom for a new challenge, and bringing his considerable experience with him. With a personable and somewhat relaxed style, coupled with a professional and insightful outlook, Carl brings a whole new dimension to the team.

Outside of the office, Carl makes the most of his not-insignificant stature – he’s 6"7 -  as part of the St Annies rugby team, who recently <insert achievement>. He’s also a keen mountain biker, as well as an even keener frequenter of his local public house, The Shrewsbury Arms where you can find himself and David usually necking turbo-shandies and Jaager-bombs.

Personal
Favourite Animal & why: Cats because they retain a level of sophistication no matter what the task plus I own one called Milton who’s so popular he got a toast and cheers during our wedding speeches.
Interesting fact: I have the blood type AB- which only 0.45% of the population share. Rare stuff.
Person I admire & why: My wife, Rachel. The most dedicated, hardworking & loving person I’ve ever met by an absolute mile.
Charity I support: Myself and resident designer David Dunlop raised £2000 last year. Grow the mo!

Work
Biggest challenge: Building fresh client partnerships that are sustainable and deliverable.
Favourite job: The next one...
Recent work I'm proud of: Laying the foundations for Zircom’s new business activities.
On my mind: New clients, new clients, new clients, new clients...

Links I use...
» Marketing Managers Info
» Linkedin
Email: carl@zircom.uk.com

Denise is Zircom's head for figures. With over 30 years' experience in finance and accounting, and an AAT Technician NVQ underway, she ensures our wheels keep turning and the business keeps moving. With her upbeat and friendly demeanour, and her accounting acumen, she makes it as easy as possible for the rest of the team to function and keeps the books balanced - helping to ensure Zircom keeps sailing smoothly

Outside of the office, Denise enjoys spending time with her family - between the demands of her two teenagers daughters and her ginger tom-cat (called Homer), her leisure time is rarely too leisurely!

Personal
Favourite Quote: Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions.
Favourite Fruit & Why: Strawberries because they go great with Champagne.
Favourite Animal & why: I'd have to say a cat, because they're cute and cuddly, plus my own cat would be annoyed if I said anything else!
Interesting fact: 'Almost' is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.
Person I admire and why: Nelson Mandela. Why? He was jailed in South Africa for 27 years, during Apartheid, and not only survived but then became the president.
Charity I support: St John's Hospice at Clatterbridge, which cares for long-term cancer patients.

Work
Biggest challenge: Chasing payments can often prove very tricky - sometimes, especially in the current climate, it can take a very long time for payment to come through, and keeping the books balanced and cashflow steady can be present real challenge.
Favourite job: I like all aspects of my job really, even the challenging ones! If I'm totally honest, I'd say I secretly quite like asking people for money!
Recent work I'm proud of: I recently reduced our debtor-days from around 120 down to around 80, which is a reduction of roughly a 3rd - quite an achievement in today's financial market I think.
On my mind: Upgrading our accounting software.

Links I use...
» HR Revenue Customs
Email: denise@zircom.uk.com

With her youthful outlook and sense of humour, coupled with a fantastic attention-to-detail, Amanda keeps the office running - organising maintenance, ordering supplies and ensuring the rest of the team have everything they need to concentrate on their roles.

Multi-tasking her position at Zircom with the demands of her family life, as well as a second part-time job, Amanda's swan-calm surface appearance belies the work she puts in behind the scenes.

Personal
Favourite Quote: "If you could choose one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humour."
Favourite Vegetable & Why: Broccoli!... The stalks are the best! Doesn't everybody just love Broccoli stalks?
Favourite Animal & why: I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us.
Pigs treat us as equals.
Interesting fact:I'm younger than I look!
Person I admire and why:My husband, he has a lot to put up with!
Charity I support: Cancer research and MND, both have affected my family.

Work
Biggest challenge: Keeping JP in biscuits!
Favourite job: Shopping
Recent work I'm proud of: Anything that get's a "well done" at the end of it makes me proud!
On my mind: My next challenge... An extension to the office

Links I use...
» Google
Email: amanda@zircom.uk.com