Communications boss Phil Coverdale
Dec 26 2009 By Karen Wilson
PHIL Coverdale joined Newcastle-based creative communications agency Cravens in 2005, where he became managing director in 2007. Originally from South Shields, Phil’s return to his native North East followed a successful decade working in the London advertising market which led to him running the £100m Microsoft pan-European business at McCann Erickson.
He now lives in Low Fell with his wife Sarah and two daughters, Phoebe and Georgina.
Cravens has a strong client base, with some clients having been with the company for 25 years. Recent national client wins include Kew Gardens, Natural History Museum, English Heritage and Football League, while local clients include Northern Rock, Beamish, The Alnwick Garden and Middlesbrough Football Club.
Where do you live?
Low Fell, Gateshead.
How long have you lived there?
After 12 years in the bright lights of London, we moved home to the North East five years ago.
What’s your dream home?
Somewhere that would combine the buzz of the city with the fresh air of Bamburgh.
How do you get around?
An eclectic eco-friendly mix of car, bus, taxi and Metro.
What’s your favourite part of the North East?
The beaches of Northumberland.
What’s your favourite building in the region?
I know it’s an obvious choice, but Durham Cathedral never fails to take my breath away.
What’s the best holiday you’ve ever had?
Travelling around Brazil – a perfectly blended cocktail of beaches, samba, football and nature.
What’s the favourite thing in your home?
A card table made by my grandad. A reminder of both childhood games of Pontoon for pennies and the wonderful craftsmanship that clearly skipped my generation.
If you could have one luxury what would it be?
More time.
What are you working on at the moment?
Things we’ve had to consider this week are: how a Slender Loris
walks, how we can fill rugby
stadiums and how to make financial products understandable.
Who or what is the love of your life?
The Rolling Stones from 1965 to 1972.
Where is your favourite place in the North East?
Our second home is Saltwell Park in Gateshead. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful free space right on our doorstep.
What’s your favourite shop
More of a gallery than a shop, but Northern Print in the Ouseburn is one of the best places for great value art.
What’s your favourite restaurant?
Elana’s L’etoile on Charlotte
Street in London reminds me
of the heady days of advertising
in the 1990s. Only marginally more learning than lunching.
Favourite pub?
The Free Trade in Byker offers some of the best views and best beers in Newcastle.
Favourite meal?
Curry Friday from Last Days of the Raj in Low Fell.
Are you any good at cooking? Do you spend much time in your kitchen?
See above.
What’s the last play or film you saw?
Bob The Builder
Arena. I felt it didn’t quite capture the spirit of the original book!
What book are you reading at the moment?
The Moon’s a Balloon
What are you listening to on your iPod/CD player?
The Stars Sing Christmas
What’s your favourite TV programme?
The Thick of It
What are you proudest of?
My family ... final answer.
Do you have any wisdom to share?
Steve Jobs of Apple’s mantra of ‘Stay hungry, stay foolish’ has always inspired me.
When and where were you happiest?
Walking back from Saltwell Park with the family singing Rolling Stones songs before Curry Friday.
