Hattie D’Souza, Account Director at award-winning Birmingham PR agency EAST VILLAGE., has been named in this year’s PRWeek ’30 Under 30’ list. An annual celebration of high-performing, emerging leaders from across the industry, it is one of the most coveted accolades across marketing and communications.
Following a rigorous judging process – with a panel including leaders from organisations like TikTok, Heineken, and Ogilvy – the Birmingham-based Account Director has been recognised for her passion and innovation over the past few years.
Having joined EAST VILLAGE. as an intern back in 2015, Hattie is now second-in-command to Managing Director, Tara Tomes. She leads on the agency’s operations, focusing on team productivity and client relationship management. As well as supporting Tara to develop and manage key initiatives like the TeamEV Charter, which maps out the agency’s dedication to charity and community; diversity and inclusion; talent retention and development; and ethical business practices.
Speaking about the news, which saw Hattie announced as one of the top 30 PR professionals in the UK today, she said:
“To say I am over the moon to have made PRWeek’s 30 Under 30 list would be an under-statement! It is such an honour to be recognised, particularly alongside 29 of my industry peers that are shaking up and reshaping our industry, and it is a privilege to have also been chosen by the judges. I am always tremendously proud to be representing EAST VILLAGE. – a small, but mighty, agency that strives so hard each day to do things both differently and for the better – but to do so on this list is truly a dream come true.”
Hattie joined EAST VILLAGE. as part of the Grow Your Own scheme, which sees the agency provide opportunities for young people looking to get into the PR and communications industry. From working in schools and communities, to offering Living Wage paid internships, the initiative helps EAST VILLAGE. commit to making the industry a more accessible place for everyone.
Tara Tomes, Founder and Managing Director at EAST VILLAGE., added:
“I honestly screamed when I heard the news that Hattie had been listed in PRWeek’s 30 Under 30 list… what an achievement! To be named as one of the emerging leaders in the UK is one thing, but one of the top 30 and by PRWeek itself: well, that is just testament to how incredibly dedicated, talented, and special Hattie is. I am very lucky to have her by my side, as we continue to build an agency that I’m so proud of.
Hattie is exactly what I imagined when I started EAST VILLAGE. – someone young, ambitious, and full of ideas, who wants to help shape a new type of agency. We aim to be an agency for a modern workforce; welcoming new ideas, embracing change, and challenging the status quo when it comes to how #agencylife should be done. Hattie is crucial to that vision and impresses me every day with her innovative ideas, impeccable execution, and infectious personality: it’s what has helped grow the agency to what it is today and I’m excited for the future as we continue our growth ambitions.”
Named Most Trusted For Hospitality PR & Marketing 2022 at the Business Elite Awards; a Top 20 Leading Advertising & Marketing Agencies in the UK by Tech Behemoths; and PR & Marketing Agency of the Year 2021 & 2018 at the City of Birmingham Business Awards, to name a few, the agency is no stranger to industry recognition.
During lockdown, EAST VILLAGE. also gained national praise for its approach to flexible working, giving up its permanent office space and providing the team with more control over their working day. As business returns to a newer normal, the agency continues to embrace new ways of working: taking up residence in the brand new BCorp offices by x+why, Foundry, in Brindleyplace. At the same time as launching a ‘Work From Anywhere’ policy, which gives employees the chance to work from anywhere in the world.
The agency, which is heading towards its ninth anniversary later this year, prides itself on working with purpose and impact-driven scale-ups and challenger brands.
