Tim Toulmin

Managing Director

Tim has worked in the media for 20 years, and founded Alder (previously Alder Media) in 2010. Before that he was Director of the Press Complaints Commission. He has been involved in some of the highest-profile media stories in the last decade, has a wide network of contacts throughout the media and the law, and now personally represents a number of leading businesses, charities, schools and individuals.

He has an MA in History from Cambridge University and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management.

Sallie Ryle

Specialist Partner, Strategic Communications

Sallie’s long career in communications includes working for ITV plc for thirty years in a variety of senior roles. She has successfully handled numerous crisis situations, advising many famous household names in British television, and now advises individuals and businesses from a variety of different sectors.

Anthony Longden

Specialist Partner for Crisis PR and Live Issues

Anthony was a newspaper editor for 20 years until 2012, and has a total of 30 years’ experience as a journalist, editor and senior editorial executive in the regional press. He is a consultant to the Society of Editors, and is uniquely well placed to advise our clients on a wide range of public relations issues: how best to craft messages at times of crisis; how to build good relations with key editorial figures; how to minimise the risks of bad publicity; and how to draw up and implement robust PR plans.

Alison Hastings

Specialist partner for Training and Media Relations

Alison has unrivalled experience across a number of media sectors. A former newspaper editor, she was a member of the BBC Trust between 2006-2014 where – as Trustee for England – she helped manage some of the most significant issues the corporation has ever faced. She is currently Vice-President of the British Board of Film Classification, a member of the Gambling Commission and a Member of the Council at Durham University. She is also a renowned media trainer, and an expert in strategic issues management.

Nick Buckley

Specialist partner for Issues Management

Nick has had a long career in journalism, working in senior editorial roles at Associated Newspapers, Trinity Mirror and Express Newspapers. Having been involved in some of some of the biggest stories of the last 25 years he has an unrivalled insight into the dynamics of the media and the demands of handling a breaking news story.  He is a Governor of Queen’s Manor Primary School in Fulham.   

Ross Cutuli

Marketing Manager

Ross is our marketing manager and also advises our clients on how to adapt their own marketing strategies following a PR crisis. He’s an expert in marketing strategy and planning, brand development, online reputation management and social media monitoring.

He holds a MSc in Strategic Marketing from Cranfield School of Management and an BSc in Science of Administration and Organisation.

Steve Double

Strategic Partner

Steve has extensive experience in both the corporate and consultancy worlds, having held senior communications positions at British Airways, Cable & Wireless and The Football Association as well as a decade spent at one of the world’s leading international consultancies. Equally at home advising businesses or individuals on reputational issues, he has provided high-level strategic counsel and communications services to major clients including Airbus, BAE Systems, Emirates, English Heritage, Panasonic, major law firms and high net worth individuals, including members of overseas Royal families, members of the House of Lords and senior MPs.

Carrie Birmingham

Specialist partner for Crisis HR and cultural transformation

Carrie has held senior HR and management positions in a variety of sectors, and was most recently HR Director at News UK. She is our specialist partner in Crisis HR management, helping organisations put their people at the heart of their crisis response and helping them unearth cultural hotspots that lead to reputational damage.

Comfortable with challenging environments and handling crises, Carrie helps leaders develop so they can motivate others and engage with staff during difficult periods. 

 She has a Master’s degree in organisational and people development; is a qualified coach, facilitator & gestalt practitioner; and is CIPD registered and an NLP practitioner.