Stefanie Hopkins

Founder, business owner and board director with more than 25 years' commercial experience, including building Faith Brand Communications from start-up to a successful six-figure acquisition over 16 years.

As Managing

Director, held responsibility for financial performance, monthly management accounts, annual statutory accounts, business development, people and employment decisions, operations and client retention, alongside advising business owners and leadership teams on growth, reputation and positioning. Seven years' board experience with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, including leading its marketing, membership and events committee and contributing to financial and governance oversight. Brings an owner-manager's commercial perspective to the board alongside specialist expertise in reputation, stakeholder perception and how a business is seen from the outside.

Particularly interested in SME and owner-managed businesses where an independent NED can provide constructive challenge, commercial perspective and an external view as the business grows or changes.

Communications Director at Fantastic Media (2024-01 – Present)

• Lead PR and communications across a portfolio spanning manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, professional services, engineering and consumer brands.
• Advise senior leadership teams on positioning, messaging and reputation risk.
• Direct integrated programmes that support visibility, growth and stakeholder engagement.
• Work with the Managing Director on team development, mentoring, client development and strategic oversight.

Board Director at Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce (2018-04 – 2025-05)

• Seven-year board tenure contributing to governance, financial oversight and the Chamber's role in the regional business community.
• Led the marketing, membership and events committee.
• Reviewed the Chamber's accounts alongside fellow directors as part of standard board governance.
• Acted as an ambassador for the Chamber across the regional business community.

Founder & Managing Director at Faith Brand Communications (2007-10 – 2024-01)

• Founded and scaled an independent PR and communications agency from launch to acquisition, building long-term relationships across professional services, manufacturing, retail, education, food, energy and consumer sectors.
• Led strategy, operations, recruitment, client acquisition and financial performance throughout the business's 16-year independent life.
• Reviewed monthly management accounts and annual statutory accounts and held responsibility for HR and employment decisions, including hiring, contracts, disciplinaries and redundancies.
• Advised business owners, founders and leadership teams on positioning, market entry, reputation and communications strategy.
• Faith Brand Communications was acquired by Fantastic Media in a six-figure deal in 2024.

Co-Founder & Strategic Co-Owner at BrigHub Co-Working Space (2021 – Present)

• Co-founder and strategic co-owner of Brighouse's first co-working space, providing strategic direction and external-facing communications.

Co-Owner at Airbnb (2025 – Present)

• Co-own and manage a short-term holiday let in central Halifax, with responsibility for booking management, pricing, guest communications and listings across Airbnb, Booking.com and other platforms.

Co-Investor at Big Shots Coffee Co

• Co-investor in an independent cafe bar in Brighouse, broadening experience beyond the core PR and communications sector.

Licensee & Editor at TopicUK Magazine

• Held the regional franchise licence, overseeing editorial direction, commercial partnerships and advertising while profiling local business success stories.

Senior agency roles at JDA Public Relations and McCann Erickson/Fine (2002 – 2007)

Senior agency roles with JDA Public Relations and McCann Erickson/Fine between 2002 and 2007, working across automotive, insurance, retail, legal, financial services and public-sector campaigns. Early international experience included work on the Bentley Motors account, supporting dealer events, customer communications and international motor shows.

BA (Hons) in Modern Language Studies – University of Nottingham