Meet the team

The vast experience and skillset of our team ensures clients receive honest, strategic advice that supports them in achieving their objectives through innovative stakeholder engagement and activity.

Alyson devises and delivers creative, intelligent PR and digital communications strategies that exceed clients’ expectations. With considerable experience in crisis management, corporate and B2C marketing communications, across sectors including travel and tourism, hospitality and leisure, motor retail and manufacturing, Alyson is a Chartered Public Relations Practitioner (CIPR) and holds a Digital Marketing Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a BA (Hons) Degree in Public Relations and Media, Culture and Communications from University of Lincoln. She also holds a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors and was a Non-Executive Director at Bryson Recycling.

Alyson English

Managing Director

Since establishing Lighthouse Communications in 2009, Stephen has built an enviable base of international and locally based clients, whilst developing a growing team of award-winning consultants. With more than 25 years’ media and communications experience, he has devised and directed strategies for a variety of blue chip, SME and public sector clients. Stephen has vast experience in crisis management. Prior to entering the public relations sector, he spent eight years working at the BBC in Belfast and Radio 5Live in London across the fields of news and sport. Stephen holds a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors, a Certificate in Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising and a Certificate in Marketing. He also sits on the board of the charity Ulster Wildlife.

Stephen Smith

Founding Director

With over 25 years’ experience in PR and media, Mark leads a team that devises and delivers integrated PR, marketing and social media strategies for a number of blue-chip corporate and consumer clients across sectors including commercial property, professional services and telecoms. A former BBC NI digital journalist and Belfast Telegraph sub-editor, Mark’s nous for identifying a story and ability to tell that story in an engaging and insightful way often helps secure a level of media exposure that far exceeds clients’ expectations.

Mark Sterling

Head of Corporate Communications

Alyson English

Managing Director

Alyson devises and delivers creative, intelligent PR and digital communications strategies that exceed clients’ expectations. With considerable experience in crisis management, corporate and B2C marketing communications, across sectors including travel and tourism, hospitality and leisure, motor retail and manufacturing, Alyson is a Chartered Public Relations Practitioner (CIPR) and holds a Digital Marketing Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a BA (Hons) Degree in Public Relations and Media, Culture and Communications from University of Lincoln. She also holds a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors and was a Non-Executive Director at Bryson Recycling.

Stephen Smith

Founding Director

Since establishing Lighthouse Communications in 2009, Stephen has built an enviable base of international and locally based clients, whilst developing a growing team of award-winning consultants. With more than 25 years’ media and communications experience, he has devised and directed strategies for a variety of blue chip, SME and public sector clients. Stephen has vast experience in crisis management. Prior to entering the public relations sector, he spent eight years working at the BBC in Belfast and Radio 5Live in London across the fields of news and sport. Stephen holds a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors, a Certificate in Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising and a Certificate in Marketing. He also sits on the board of the charity Ulster Wildlife.

Mark Sterling

Head of Corporate Communications

With over 25 years’ experience in PR and media, Mark leads a team that devises and delivers integrated PR, marketing and social media strategies for a number of blue-chip corporate and consumer clients across sectors including commercial property, professional services and telecoms. A former BBC NI digital journalist and Belfast Telegraph sub-editor, Mark’s nous for identifying a story and ability to tell that story in an engaging and insightful way often helps secure a level of media exposure that far exceeds clients’ expectations.

As Head of Digital, Carly’s talents lie within social media management, digital strategy, web copy development, online reputation management, blogger outreach, social advertising, email marketing and analytics evaluation. Working closely with her Lighthouse colleagues, she ensures all digital activity complements the client’s offline strategy. Clients trust Carly to carve a digital pathway that will assist with the achievement of their overall corporate objectives. Based on the requirements of a client, she facilitates varying degrees of digital communications support starting with basic digital and social media training. With eleven years’ experience, creative flair and strategic focus, Carly continuously delivers impactful, multi-channel campaigns across the digital landscape that showcase an innate understanding of digital partnerships and reciprocal marketing.

Carly Rodgers

Head of Digital

A Chartered CIPR Practitioner, Molly holds the position of Account Lead at Lighthouse and works to develop holistic marketing and PR campaigns across a range of channels including websites, social media and digital news platforms. With a background in both traditional and digital PR, Molly can effectively combine the best of offline campaigns with new trends in content marketing, social media marketing and online brand management. Molly’s skills lie in social media management, content planning, digital strategy, and delivering creative ideas that meet client objectives. Molly has previous experience with local and international clients and a strong knowledge of the media landscape. Molly graduated from Ulster University, where she achieved a First-Class BSc (Hons) degree in Communication, Advertising and Marketing along with a Diploma in International Business.

Molly Cullen

Account Lead

Conor is a highly motivated multidisciplinary designer and content creation specialist with over ten years’ experience delivering quality design, video, and photography content for clients big and small across a range of industries. With a proven track record of leading multiple projects and campaigns from concept to final execution, Conor is constantly trying to push the envelope and think outside the box to create content that doesn’t just look good, but also aligns with the client’s brand, marketing, and communications goals.

Conor McVeigh

Senior Content Producer

Having graduated with First Class Honours in BSc (Hons) Communication Advertising and Marketing, and a Diploma in Professional Practice, Dearbhla currently holds the position of Consultant. Dearbhla has gained valuable experience working across a number of clients and projects within sectors including law, professional services, aviation, and motor retail, and continues to implement her skill set to achieve client aims and objectives.

Dearbhla Mac Donald

Senior Consultant

Sophie is a graphic designer with over ten years of experience crafting bold visuals that tell a story. Specialising in motion design, branding, campaigns, and social media analytics, she blends creativity and strategy to help brands stand out. She has worked with global names including Adidas and ASOS, as well as local businesses across industries from retail to agriculture. With a sharp eye for detail and a pulse on digital trends, Sophie creates designs that connect and deliver results.

Sophie Elliott

Senior Designer

Having graduated her degree in Bsc (Hons) Business and Public Relations, where she received a 2:1, Sarah has recently joined the team as a Consultant. Sarah has experience working for clients across a range of different sectors, including manufacturing, property development, aviation, and motor retail industries. She brings a diverse skillset to client campaigns. As a digital native, Sarah leverages her creative outlook and social media expertise to deliver effective results.

Sarah McConnell

Consultant

Conor McVeigh

Senior Content Producer

Conor is a highly motivated multidisciplinary designer and content creation specialist with over ten years’ experience delivering quality design, video, and photography content for clients big and small across a range of industries. With a proven track record of leading multiple projects and campaigns from concept to final execution, Conor is constantly trying to push the envelope and think outside the box to create content that doesn’t just look good, but also aligns with the client’s brand, marketing, and communications goals.

Dearbhla Mac Donald

Consultant

Having graduated with First Class Honours in BSc (Hons) Communication Advertising and Marketing, and a Diploma in Professional Practice, Dearbhla currently holds the position of Consultant. Dearbhla has gained valuable experience working across a number of clients and projects within sectors including law, professional services, aviation, and motor retail, and continues to implement her skill set to achieve client aims and objectives.

Sophie Elliot

Senior Designer

Sophie is a graphic designer with over 10 years of experience crafting bold visuals that tell a story. Specialising in motion design, branding, campaigns, and social media analytics, she blends creativity and strategy to help brands stand out. She has worked with global names like Adidas and ASOS, as well as local businesses across industries from retail to agriculture. With a sharp eye for detail and a pulse on digital trends, Sophie creates designs that connect and deliver results.