Why I set up Cross House Communications
- hmbannon
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
After more than 20 years' working in PR and brand strategy - across publishing, government and cultural organisations - I set up Cross House Communications because I wanted to do the work differently.
I worked in corporate environments for many years and I loved the people I worked with as well as the work that I was doing. However, I found myself increasingly drawn to a way of working that was faster and more direct. I wanted to spend my time on the work that I love rather than navigating the layers that often come with working in large organisations.
What drove the change
Across two decades in the industry, I noticed the same pattern: organisations either paid for a large agency or went without senior strategic support entirely because they couldn't justify a full-time hire. There didn't seem to be much room in between.
That gap is where Cross House Communications sits. I work with evolving organisations who need experienced, senior-level PR and brand strategy - without the cost of a permanent hire or the layers of a big agency.
Why Cross House?
I really love helping organisations navigate complexity at defining moments. At the heart of Cross House Communications is a belief that every great brand starts with a strong foundation of clear messaging, thoughtful strategy and authentic connection.
This is where I add value: an expert perspective, unclouded by internal politics or history.
What's stayed the same?
What hasn't changed since I started is the belief that good communications work should be collaborative, not prescriptive. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all campaigns. Every organisation I work with has a different story, different constraints and a different audience, and the strategy has to reflect that.
Where it's going
I want to grow Cross House Communications by working with great brands and telling exciting stories - connecting with organisations locally across East Anglia and further afield. And I want to keep doing it with the flexibility to work how, and with whom, feels right.
If you'd like an informal conversation about your organisation's PR or brand strategy, get in touch - there's no hard sell, just honest advice on what might actually help.
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