HERD Networking: Collaborative Journeys

• On the Sofa: Ann Grier, Kristo Shivachev, Phia Folkes and Grant Black
• Compare: Rich Matthews

Join Ann, Kristo, Grant, Phia and Rich as they discuss collaboration and why its so important for creatives right now.

Ann Grier, co-founder of Hereford Herd, is dedicated to bringing creative minds and opportunities together. She is the co-owner of Seed, a Herefordshire social media marketing agency for food and lifestyle brands. Born and bred in Herefordshire, Ann is passionate about helping women succeed in business and advocating for better business practices as a certified B Corp. With a background in public relations, she is committed to keeping Herefordshire brands at the forefront of the nation's minds. Ann is a proud wife and mother to husband Nick, daughter Molly, and dog Milly.

Phia Folkes is Co-Founder of Seed and head of strategy for the agency. After moonlighting as a copywriter during her university years, Phia joined a fast-growing start-up with the task of setting up and leading the marketing department. An ambition to start an agency led her to return to the Shropshire/Herefordshire borders where Seed was born. Twelve years on, Phia combines running the agency with being a mum to two small children and spends any free time working on a never-ending renovation in the countryside.

Kristo Shivachev, co-founder of Hereford Herd, is driven by his passion for innovation and new product development. In 2014 he founded Simple Design Works – an industrial design house in Herefordshire and Worcestershire – to help businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs deliver and launch impactful user-centric innovation.

His love for the county and all things creative led to several discussions with Ann on how to create more opportunities locally. He quickly realised that his passion was equally shared and after devising lots of ideas with Ann, Hereford Herd was born.

Grant Black

Grant is Creative Director and Deputy CEO for Rural Media and Co-Founder of Ffin Creative, a digital marketing consultancy agency. Starting his career as a staff writer for the BBC, Grant has since written and produced for various shows across the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Grant joined Rural Media in 2015, overseeing the company’s creative slate, talent development programmes and spearheading the creation of Rural Studios, an award-winning broadcast television company. Originally from Essex, Grant moved to Herefordshire (his wife’s home county) in 2013 and has since settled into country life with his wife, sons, dog and hens.

Rich is Development Director for Rural Media, born and raised in Hereford before studying Psychology then Film in London. After 20 years as a feature screenwriter, short filmmaker, film journalist, and magazine and website editor working for Disney, Warner Bros, DC Comics, Sony, NBC Universal, BBC, BAFTA, BFI, Sky Movies and Total Film, Rich returned home to join Rural Media in 2015, where he oversees project development for the charity. Currently a Governor at the Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School, Rich is also working towards a doctorate at the University of Birmingham because he apparently hates free time.

His love for the county and all things creative led to several discussions with Ann on how to create more opportunities locally. He quickly realised that his passion was equally shared and after devising lots of ideas with Ann, Hereford Herd was born.

In an exciting development for the local creative sector, the creative network Hereford Herd, founded by social media agency entrepreneur Ann Grier and design visionary Kristo Shivachev, has secured funding through the Herefordshire UK SPF Cultural Development Rnd3 fund and also developed a new partnership with Rural Media.
This collaboration is set to steer Hereford Herd into its next phase of growth, aligning with Rural Media’s digital futures plan for the county.

The group will discuss their new collaboration and the opportunnities that have arisen out of a shared drive for innovation, connection and creativity.

Creativity is always better when there is connection.

• 5pm: Kick off
• 5.30pm-6.30pm: Q&A
• 6.30pm onwards: Networking

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Shack Revolution, Union Street, Hereford, United Kingdom