Who we are and what we do

The directors of the Gordon Burns Partnership bring with them a wealth of media experience. Gordon Burns was the face of BBC television in the North West for fifteen years after his national profile through the Krypton Factor. Paul Horrocks was Editor in Chief of the country’s leading regional newspaper, the Manchester Evening News, for twelve years and is a former President of the UK Society of Editors This is the team that will help you with your reputation management, media communications and media training.

Reputation management

A positive brand image is a terrible thing to lose. It may have taken years to build but it can all be destroyed in seconds. More and more organisations are facing situations that have real potential for harming their reputations. In such circumstances dealing with the media in an organised and timely way is essential. The Gordon Burns Partnership will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to tackle such situations.

Media communications

The Gordon Burns Partnership has unrivalled contacts in the media industry. They know how the media works; what appeals to different newspapers, television, radio and web-based services; and how to get the best from a media relationship. They will work with you to ensure you have a powerful Communications Strategy that gets your messages across to the right people in the right way.

Media training

Both directors of the Gordon Burns Partnership are steeped in journalism. Gordon has interviewed every Prime Minister since Edward Heath. Paul has trained civil servants from overseas governments in publishing and broadcast trends and journalists in investigative reporting. Who better to teach you how to make the most of your media interviews. There will be practical advice and hands-on experience, with all training tailored to individual needs.

Leadership & hosting

We also offer sessions on leadership, presentation skills and confidence building which are all part of the modern business environment. Learning additional skills will improve your profile and style.

Hosting conferences or seminars with an audience of differing or conflicting opinions to bring together a set of key messages is one of our much-requested services..

Media training

Here's just a few of the things we can do for you:

TV studio

We familiarise you with studio cameras, lights, floor managers, and the tight time constraints of a busy TV schedule. Feel what it’s like to be grilled by a professional interviewer, how to deal with tough questions, how to get your message across and how to appear calm, controlled and confident.

TV down-the-line

We teach you to deal with the most difficult broadcast interview situation, talking straight down the lens of a camera to an interviewer in a remote studio firing questions through an uncomfortable and frequently ill-fitting earpiece, often with satellite delay – and you can’t see your interviewer!

Radio interviews

We help you understand the different techniques required for a live radio broadcast, sitting with a presenter, surrounded by microphones, headphones and knowing what to say when the red light goes on and you are live.

And you will feel the immediacy of radio through a live telephone interview on a breaking news story.

Press conferences

We will show you how to prepare and organise a press conference. Then you will face a gallery of news reporters and photographers each with their own agenda and quick-fire questions.

Social media

Millions of messages are posted each day on social networking sites. Learn how to use the power of this fast growing medium to get your message out there and read by a vast audience but we warn of the pitfalls too.

Contact us

Let us help you become totally savvy, confident and positive with the media scene. Let us give you the most realistic experience possible and provide you with all important feedback, analysis and advice. Contact us now for further details and a price quotation. Alternatively, you can email us at info@gordonburnspartnership.co.uk.

Confidence Building and Public Speaking

If you are losing sleep about delivering your next business presentation, a talk to business colleagues or a sales pitch to customers, then the Gordon Burns Partnership can help.

Most people say that giving a speech or standing on stage to deliver a presentation is their biggest fear. It is now an essential business requirement and employers expect it as part of your skills package.

Or if you lead a company and need a refresher on how to sharpen up and engage an audience, we can guide you.

One recent participant went from sleepless nights to looking forward to speaking in public. We have coached business managers and leaders from a broad spectrum and sales staff as well.

One business executive wrote to us after a two-day speaking skills session for 20 people in Manchester;

"Really positive feedback this week from the sessions - we've had a week of presentations and stage performances with everyone feeling the benefit.

"I had to present to 200" down the line "at the staff conference as I couldn't be there - loved it!"

Confidence is key, and we can show you how to present or speak with a clear and bold approach - even if you are nervous. Everyone is!

Gordon Burns has years of experience speaking on TV and hosting conferences.

Paul Horrocks has presented many media lectures and hosted numerous award ceremonies.

Talk to them about your worries - and learn how to look forward to public speaking with new-found confidence.

One day courses with full video recording for playback analysis and feedback can be delivered in your office, at home or in an auditorium.

For more info contact Paul on 07768 615876 or Gordon on 07836 717500

Meet our team

Gordon Burns


Gordon Burns is one of the best known television faces in the North West. For 15 years he presented the BBC’s evening news programme NORTH WEST TONIGHT. During his time in the chair he won 5 Royal Television Society awards for best regional presenter and the programme picked up 6 RTS awards for best regional news programme. Gordon also won the coveted BBC Ruby Award for best regional presenter in the UK and has picked up special awards for his journalistic and presenting skills from the RTS and O2.

Gordon made his name nationally by hosting ITV’s popular quiz programme THE KRYPTON FACTOR which ran at peak-time for 18 years pulling in audiences of up to 18 million people. He wrote all the scripts for the programme and devised some of the tough challenges for the contestants.

He is a journalist by trade and began his career as a newspaper reporter with the Belfast Telegraph in his home city. For ten years he provided live commentary for the ITV network on the Labour, Conservative and TUC party conferences. He also produced and presented Granada Television’s regional news and political programmes for 15 years.

During his career covering politics, current affairs and news for UTV, Granada Television and the BBC he has interviewed every Prime Minister from Edward Heath to David Cameron – 8 in all. It’s a record unsurpassed by any other broadcaster.

In 2010 Gordon was honoured for his “outstanding services to broadcasting” with an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton.

Paul Horrocks


A lifetime steeped in journalism, with over 34 years at the Manchester Evening News, twelve as Editor-in-Chief and previously as a journalist at the Daily Mail.

Former president of the UK Society of Editors, a member of the Press Complaints Commission for four years, and a member of the DA Notice Committee, MOD.

Ran high profile campaigns and investigations including IRA bombing of Manchester and reported on international news events including the Lockerbie plane bomb and the “shoot-to-kill” inquiry in Northern Ireland.

Specialist knowledge of multi-media journalism convergence and trainer for overseas media houses on investigative reporting through the Thomson Foundation, in Nepal and India.

Extensive contacts in newspapers, broadcast and internet – has given evidence to Government select committee on wide ranging issues including privacy legislation.

As a consultant at Essential Communications for two years, wide experience of change management and behaviour change campaigns aimed at the public, including social media platforms. Health campaigns nominated for national communications awards.

Delivered internal/external communications and PR strategies to industry — NHS, environmental recycling, solicitors, sports management, employment law specialists, and food manufacturers.

Former Chairman of NHS Bury and independent governor of the University of Bolton. Fundraising board trustee for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Our Life, promoting health and wellbeing. Joined charity trek to summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2005. A member of the Manchester organising committee for the Commonwealth Games 2002. Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. Trustee Bury Hospice.

Testimonials

Chris Hudson

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


Huge thanks to Gordon, Paul and Andy for a challenging, thought-provoking but fun day that took everyone out of their comfort zones and really made them think about how best to present their message to the public at large. Whether in media interviews or even just in internal events, the tools and tips picked up on the day are already being put to good use.

Edna Boampong

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin


I have worked with Paul Horrocks for many years now in a number of different capacities. I first met Paul when he was the Editor of the Manchester Evening News, and then I worked alongside Paul when he provided PR and media relations advice to guide my NHS organisation through high-profile, complex change and reorganisation. Recently Paul and Gordon delivered excellent media training to my organisation to support our executives through one of the biggest NHS maternity scandals. Paul and Gordon are extremely knowledgeable, trustworthy and connected. I would describe them as authentic, personable and generally a ‘safe pair of hands’. Paul’s extensive knowledge of the NHS and Public services is immensely helpful. If you need someone to help you navigate your way around the media during contention, difficult periods or if you just want to improve the image of your organisation, I recommend working with the GBP - one of the best in the business.

United Utilities


The feedback from yesterday’s training has been incredible, the buzz and energy in the newsroom tremendous. Already interviews with Radio Cumbria and Radio Merseyside booked on multi-million-pound investments projects. Truly an inspirational day

Metrolink Ratp Dev


A fantastic training day for us today. The thorough planning and thought put into the day was evident immediately and this meant we were able to get the most out of it. We all agreed that the day was extremely rewarding and has given us a clear insight into what to expect from media interviews. Also your professionalism and expertise further contributed to the overall success of the day

AvMA (Action Against Medical Accide


The Gordon Burns Partnership are true media professionals and specialists. We had the pleasure of working with them over the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust Public Inquiry in early 2013 and their contacts and professionalism helped us maximise our media exposure and get our messages across effectively. It resulted in massive media exposure in the broadcast and written media and gave us the assurance that we were in experienced and safe hands

Alleyn's School


We had an excellent day. It was focused, practical and hugely enjoyable, and you all looked after us very well. Overall this is one of the very best professional courses I have attended in 20 years in education, so thanks again, very much.

St Helens CCG (NHS)


The day was both enjoyable and educational

CBRE


A very thorough and professional media training day with a lot of very useful information and practical training on how best to conduct ourselves in a media scenario

Wrexham Glyndŵr University


Very positive feedback from all four of our participants all of whom found the day-long session very beneficial and have lots of take- aways from it. All now appreciate just how important communications is.

UKFast


The Gordon Burns Partnership media training program provided a professional and bespoke experience for team members of UKFast. The training offered the perfect balance of learning and fun to equip people with confidence skills that transpire across a multitude of scenarios. This includes everything from crisis management situations, presentation and new business pitches alongside TV and radio opportunities. Gordon and Paul made huge efforts through time and attention to understand our business requirements and created a program that reflected this perfectly. All round an incredible experience!

CIFAS


We spent a day with the Gordon Burns Team and found them to be professional and engaging. They clearly took time before the training day to get to know our business and to plan the training around our own experience and industry context. We would highly recommend them.

PA Consulting (Manchester)


Fantastic day media training at Media City UK. A brilliant learning experience. PA Consulting. (11 mores sessions followed for the company)

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust


They came a little raw, they left as polished stars!

University of Bolton


There is no doubt that GBP will offer you high-quality training that is value for money and it will serve your needs well, especially if the role being trained is front facing in dealing with media and members of the public. Highly recommended.

Contact us

You can contact us using the form below or call us on: 0161 241 2064. You can also write to us at: 12 St Mary's Place, Bury, Greater Manchester BL9 0DZ or email us at info@gordonburnspartnership.co.uk

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