Ben Furner - Furner Communications was set up in 2000 by Ben, who began his working life at the BBC before moving into media relations, first at the disability charity Scope then at Age Concern England. After two years in a PR agency to broaden his experience, he set up Furner Communications and handled the launch of the Disability Rights Commission, staying for 18 months to help set up and manage the new communications department.

As well as running Furner Communications, Ben is an expert advisor to the Department of Work and Pensions, writes periodically for a range of publications including the Guardian and runs disability equality workshops. He's also a member of the actor's union, Equity. Yes, really.

Furner Communications uses a network of staff and associates who bring a wide range of experience and expertise to the company which ensures we use the best people for relevant projects.

Sarah Cable (associate director) - Sarah's background is in television as a producer for the BBC, so she brings widespread knowledge of the world of broadcasting and film to the company. But she is more than this; alongside her myriad of project management skills, she has extensive experience in developing, planning, managing and evaluating events. Sarah used to be a nurse, so what they say about the importance of a portfolio career is clearly right.

Sara Chew (design associate) - Ben and Sara met whilst working on the Mental Health Media Awards; she's since had stints working in the design departments of the RNIB and the Science Museum British Library. As well as handling our design requirements, she also pitches in as camera/sound/production manager when we run media training sessions. At weekends, Sara can often be found DJing for children's parties. So that's good fun.

Sophie Edwards (associate director) - Sophie spent five years as chief executive at the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) before going into consultancy. She specialises in stakeholder research and management, facilitation, and supporting organisations in strategic planning, board and team development and campaign planning. She was a trustee of the Long Term Conditions Alliance, but doesn't have much spare time on account of her daughters, Josie and Charlotte.

Charlotte Farrant (office manager) - Charlotte is the engine that makes the office run smoothly. She keeps us organised while also being our resident proofreader and something of a research whizz - if she can't find what you're looking for, nobody can. Her background includes administrative and information roles in the voluntary sector. She works part-time for us as she's also a hypnotherapist, which is helpful if you want to stop smoking.

Agnes Fletcher (associate director) - Agnes spent seven years at the Disability Rights Commission and was the director of policy and communications by the time she moved into consultancy in October 2007. Her brief included managing policy, communications and research functions, and she has worked in PR and public affairs for more than 15 years. She has a fondness for regular trips to Sardinia but hasn't invited any of us to go with her yet.

Sue Flook (associate director) - Sue and Ben worked in the Age Concern England press office together and she is currently lead director for the Register for Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) account. Her background includes time in the Oxfam press office and as head of PR at the Soil Association, so she can turn her hand to pretty much anything. Because of her obsession with cycling and all things green, she gets the prize for the most right on member of the team.

Lisa Gee (associate director) - Lisa is a writer, editor and journalist and our resident digital guru. She edits and manages the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction website, reviews books for national newspapers and specialises in explaining complex ideas in simple, comprehensible language. Her funniest book is 'Stage Mum: when showbiz happens to your child'.

Chris Mahony (associate director) - Chris is also a writer, and communications consultant, with a health and social policy background. His career includes stints as a journalist on a range of publications and working in the press office of the Audit Commission and the Department of Health. Chris is lead officer for the day to day communications work with the National End of Life Care Programme. For leisure, Chris supports Liverpool FC but we don't hold that against him.

Alyson Rose (associate director) - Alyson has extensive communications experience working in the social policy field. She was head of media at the Disability Rights Commission and during its lifetime worked on a wide range of communications projects to help raise awareness of disability rights and the profile of the DRC. Her background is in the voluntary and not for profit sector; before moving into PR she spent 10 years working in national and local radio. She has a house in the South of France and a waiting list for visitors.

Ann Stirling (associate director) - Ann comes from a voluntary sector background and worked with Ben at Scope before moving on to head of communications at the National Autistic Society. She has extensive experience across the communications spectrum, including strategy development, crisis management and events. Outside work, Ann enjoys live music, theatre, holidays and a nice cup of tea.

Katy Webb (account manager) - Katy has a broad range of work experience but has concentrated in recent years on bringing up her sons, Joseph and Matthew. She's worked on several projects helping with stakeholder research and engagement, and also works as a project manager when required.

We also work less regularly (but always effectively) with a number of other freelance associates who we know and trust for specific projects, or if there are gaps we need to fill.