Empica appoints Katy Garland as Head of Strategy and Digital

Bristol-based PR agency Empica has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of Katy Garland as head of strategy and digital.

Katy brings more than 15 years’ experience across agency, in-house and charity communications, with a background spanning consumer campaigns, digital development and brand projects.

She began her career in London agency PR, working across consumer and lifestyle campaigns before moving into the charity sector working in-house at UNICEF UK and Diabetes UK.

Katy later joined St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol, where she helped deliver a major organisational rebrand. As St Peter’s is one of Empica’s long‑standing clients, she worked closely with the agency during her time there; an experience that played a big part in her decision to join.

“When I was at St Peter’s, Empica genuinely felt like an extension of us,” she said. “There was real trust and the reassurance that we were in safe hands, which makes such a difference when you are a client.”

Katy says Empica’s Bristol roots and varied client base were also a draw.

“I’ve spent a lot of time working with national and international organisations, so it’s great to be able to focus on Bristol‑based work too. I’m looking forward to the mix of clients and the chance to work across different sectors.”

In her new role, Katy will work across Empica’s portfolio, bringing additional strategic thinking and digital insight to support the agency’s PR programmes.

As communications continue to evolve across both traditional and digital channels, she will help clients create joined‑up, practical strategies that reflect how audiences now consume information.

“I’m really excited about the role because it’s new, and that gives me the opportunity to help develop how we work with clients, particularly around planning, strategy and digital,” she added.

Empica is a UK public relations and media relations agency founded in Bristol in 1989 by Martin Powell. The firm has grown from regional roots into a national and international operation, with a base in London.