About

Jilly Cosgrove

Managing Director

Jilly founded Barques back in 1989, and is rightly proud of where the agency is today. She has over 19 years experience working in the marketing industry, so what there is to know in this sector, she knows. Organised to the point of obsession, Jilly keeps the agency running tickety boo.

Outside of work Jilly loves to play golf and enjoys the odd glass of wine, but of course being a consummate professional she never over does it…

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“A bottle of champagne. Well, it beats sea water!”

Mark Terry

Director

With his early years spent at a top London agency, Mark joined Barques Design in 1991. Jilly and Mark hit it off straight away and have grown the agency together. Mark being the creative brain of the agency is a stickler for great design and will not accept anything less from his team.

He is a massive music buff both playing and listening and has a large, eclectic music collection.  Looking through his iTunes you can be treated to anything from Frank Sinatra to Depeche Mode to the theme tune from Stingray!

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“Uma Thurman.”

Scott Heeks

Director

With 19 years working in the Industry, Scott has worked on many blue chip accounts including 3M, Castrol and Exel. He is an ‘attention to detail’ freak and has great experience working in branding and corporate ID creation.

Despite a dubious taste in rock music Scott enjoys a myriad of top pop acts as well as swimming, cinema, playing guitar (both real and air) and the occasional round of golf.

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“My iPod with solar charger.”

Paul Skipp

PR Director/Guru

Paul’s media experience dates back more than 30 years to the days of hot metal and includes spells as a tabloid hack and national newspaper sub editor.

In 1998 he moved to the ‘dark side’, starting his successful PR business. He has worked with clients in an array of sectors, raising  their profile through coverage on TV, radio, in  print and online.

Being a budding Donald Trump, in his spare time he likes to watch property shows on TV and aspires to appear on Escape to the Country. As dad to three very active kids he is now fully qualified to begin a career as a taxi driver. He also tries to keep as fit as a man of his advanced years can.

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“A 50-inch 3D TV with full Sky subscription and the Bear Grylls survival DVD.”

Dave Elliott

Head of Digital

Dave was in the first generation of kids to grow up with computers (who remembers the ZX80?) After completing a degree in ‘Electronic Media’, he got a job designing CD Roms and videos. Then, in the mid 90s, this new interweb thingy really started to become popular, so he began applying his wealth of experience in ‘on screen’ design to the internet too.

Previously, he’s worked for various top digital companies around the North West and the Midlands, for clients such as Adobe, Hyundai, Financial Times and Barrs Soft Drinks.

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“A solar powered laptop with a 3G connection.”

Ian Cooper

Senior Designer

Having worked as a Graphic Designer since leaving university nearly 10 years ago Ian has worked on a wide variety of projects in print and advertising and for some big name clients including Dawes Mountain Bikes, Lloyds TSB and Mercedes Benz Direct. Ian is also a dab hand at 3D illustration and likes to try his hand at a little animation once in a while (he once had an audition for Bob the Builder as he likes to keep telling everyone!)

As a new dad, Ian currently spends most of his free time picking toast out of the DVD player and trying to catch up on some sleep.

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“A barrel of Bombardier Bitter and a four pack of pot noodles”

Laura Butler

PR Account Manager

Since graduating from Wolverhampton University with a Journalism and Editorial Design degree, Laura has worked at a communications agency, writing and editing publications for clients such as Empire Cinemas, New Look and NFU Mutual.

Having been given the nickname of ‘Monica’ from Friends by her pals, Laura cracks the whip when it comes to being organised (watch out Paul!) and loves nothing more than ticking the last thing off on her to do list.

Outside of work, Laura is a self-confessed Zumba addict and never misses the chance to wiggle the hips and shimmy in the latin-inspired dance routines.

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“An iPod full of Zumba tunes so I could dance on the beach all morning then relax in the sun all afternoon!”

Adam Stewart

Web Designer

Adam, originally from Nottingham, joined us fresh faced and straight out of University here in Birmingham.  Graduating with a First Class Honours in Media and Communication, where he specialised in web and digital media allowing him to work with clients from all different areas such as radio, education, and even athletics with Birmingham based Birchfield Harriers.

In his free time the weekend is his playground and he likes nothing more than to stick on some questionable music whilst getting ready to go out, or stay home and watch even more questionable films, such as a little known high school trilogy involving Zac Efron… The less said the better!

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“My android powered phone (with an island friendly power source).  I’d be lost without my routine twitter and facebook checks!”

Rob Hildreth

Designer

Having worked as a freelance designer for several years Rob has had the opportunity to work with some great clients and design studios on a wide scope of projects for clients such as Youtube, Cheltenham Poetry Festival, Punch Taverns and Vivid.

When he is not designing, apart from being a lover of all things vintage from the 30s to the 60s, Rob will more than likely be making noise on guitar in his 2 piece band. Playing a range of garage blues, rockabilly and mostly noise although he does also enjoy the quieter side of life living out in the sticks of the countryside too.

If I were stuck on a desert island I would take:
“My Fender Telecaster, a Reel to Reel recorder and a crate of Sailor Jerry Rum”

Hannah Birckbeck

Design & Marketing PA

Following a relocation ‘back home’ to Birmingham, Hannah brings to Barques a wealth of PA experience from her days at a design consultancy in London.

A self confessed gym-aholic, Hannah tries to attend at least 3 times a week (busy social life dependent of course!) and when she’s not working up a sweat in her spinning classes, loves nothing more than a bit of acting and the occasional murder mystery party.  She loves to get creative making new clothes out of old clothes and has a back catalogue of Glamour from September 2008.

She has a tea habit to envy most here at Barques – but we’re not complaining as she makes way more than her fair share!

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“My Jackie O style sunglasses,  iPod and a copy of the latest Glamour mag – obviously DHL’d over to me!”

Linda Watkins

Accounts

Linda (aka Loopy) is the lady that makes sure the money side of things runs nice and smoothly.  She also looks after our Job Management System that keeps track of all ongoing jobs on screen. Loops is the valuable backbone to the Agency.

A real foodie, Loops is never seen without a Marks & Spencer bag and we love her because she often treats us to some tasty snacks.

If I was stuck on a desert island I would take:
“A carrier bag. So I can pretend I’m still getting my retail fix every lunchtime.”