School of Business
George Oliver
George Oliver is the founder of 1284. He is a PR and communications strategy consultant, a former media executive, and a trustee for Leicestershire charities which help people fulfil their potential.
Before founding 1284, George spent four years as the Editor of the Leicester Mercury. During that time, he led the shift to digital-first publishing, the launch of LeicestershireLive, and the title's response to Leicester being locked down at the outset of the pandemic. George co-founded the LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards and is a volunteer mentor at Leicester Startups and Generation Next.
George has a first-class MSc in Strategic Leadership from Loughborough University and is a CMI Chartered Manager and a CIPR Chartered PR Practitioner. He has diplomas in strategic management, professional consulting and public affairs, as well as qualifications in journalism and marketing.
1284's work focuses on the use of communications to support the growth of enterprise in the East Midlands, particularly among innovative early stage companies. This includes particular interest in the use of:
- Communications planning
- Media and stakeholder relations
- Press releases
- Copywriting
- Funding applications
- Award nominations