Christmas Spotlight: Karen Tinkler

As we near the end of a landmark year following the gradual return to ‘normality’ post-Covid, we grab 60 seconds with Karen Tinkler is co-owner at Yorkshire PR and communications agency, The Partners Group, in an exclusive for the p.ublished group of online newspapers, reflecting on 2022…

1. After a difficult time for many businesses during the pandemic, what was your primary objective at the start of the year?

After a year of consolidation in 2021, we set ourselves an ambitious growth target at the start of this year, which I’m very happy to say we are on track to achieve.

2. Looking back on 2022, what have been the 3 biggest highlights for The Partners Group?

The biggest highlight was our move to a new office in the summer – Independence House in York - after almost 30 years at our previous office. It’s been such a positive move and feels like the start of an exciting new chapter for the business. Another highlight has been welcoming more clients to the agency: we really are fortunate to work with some incredible businesses in the region and beyond. And getting back out again properly to face to face events this year has been another highlight for me. We’re part of a manufacturing industry network, Made in Yorkshire, and it was fantastic to get people together in a room again earlier in the year and deliver their first in-person Masterclass since the pandemic.

3. And the most difficult challenge for your business?

Sorting through 30 years of “stuff” ahead of the office move. We found all sorts!

4. If you had to sum up 2022 in one word, which would you use?#

Promising

5. What’s The Partners Group’s key goal for next year?

To continue the growth we’ve seen this year by growing the team. We can’t ignore the current economic situation, but we’re staying positive and focused on delivering results for clients so that they continue to see value from the work we do for them.

6. Name another northern firm that hope will have an outstanding year in 2023…

A lot of our clients are Yorkshire-based, I can’t name just one! I hope all good firms continue to thrive, in Yorkshire and beyond, but one to watch in the manufacturing sector is FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics.

7. How do you think the regional business climate will fare overall?

I’d like to think it will fare well. We’re a resilient bunch! A lot of the business owners I’m speaking to are adopting a similar approach to us: staying agile, keeping a positive mindset, and focusing on delivering value - always with an eye on the bigger picture.

8. It’s perhaps the first opportunity to celebrate a ‘real’ Christmas post-Covid – what will it look like for you?

I’ll be travelling to Cornwall with my husband to spend Christmas with my family, then we’re heading to the opposite end of the country to celebrate New Year on the Isle of Bute, with a couple of stops en route to see friends and family. I can’t wait! We got married last December, and I’m looking forward to celebrating our first anniversary.

9. What’s the worst Christmas gift you’ve ever been given?

Ooh, that’s a tricky one. Not the worst gift, but possibly the most frustrating, was a bread maker. Naturally, I wanted to try it out as soon as I opened it - who wouldn’t? - but trying to track down a shop that was a) open on Christmas Day and b) sold yeast was a challenge. We found one though!

10. Describe Christmas at your house, in three words

Sprout-free zone