Shaun Milne
Gerry Cassidy
Derek Bryce
Val Heywood
Simon Cox
Kim Thompson
SHAUN MILNE:
Director
Founding director Shaun Milne first cut his teeth in journalism more than a decade ago as a hard-news reporter working for a number of newspaper titles in Scotland and Fleet Street. His impressive CV took him to some of the world’s worst trouble spots, including the Balkans during the war in Kosovo, and Sierra Leone during its civil war in the 90s.
After working in London, ensuing promotions saw him appointed as News Editor then Assistant Editor of the Daily Mirror in Scotland, followed by a spell as Associate News Editor of the Daily Record, helping launch its stable of ‘PM’ titles in Scotland.
Spotting a
gap in the market for a one-stop-shop for high
quality journalist-led writing, design and
editing services, he launched Planet Ink Limited
in January 2006 with a small pool of trusted
colleagues, including fellow director Gerry
Cassidy.
He is now overseeing an expansion for the company planned for 2008, while using his extensive contacts book to forge new partnerships with many of Scotland’s leading business names.
Married to Rachel, a scientist, he lives by the beach with their dog Oz, and is working on his first novel.
Before this he used to be a size 28 waist. Honest.
Founding director Shaun Milne first cut his teeth in journalism more than a decade ago as a hard-news reporter working for a number of newspaper titles in Scotland and Fleet Street. His impressive CV took him to some of the world’s worst trouble spots, including the Balkans during the war in Kosovo, and Sierra Leone during its civil war in the 90s.
After working in London, ensuing promotions saw him appointed as News Editor then Assistant Editor of the Daily Mirror in Scotland, followed by a spell as Associate News Editor of the Daily Record, helping launch its stable of ‘PM’ titles in Scotland.
He is now overseeing an expansion for the company planned for 2008, while using his extensive contacts book to forge new partnerships with many of Scotland’s leading business names.
Married to Rachel, a scientist, he lives by the beach with their dog Oz, and is working on his first novel.
Before this he used to be a size 28 waist. Honest.
GERRY CASSIDY:
Director
He’s the old, bald one with tattoos and a pierced nipple. Before his midlife crisis, he was editor of a weekly newspaper, then he packed it in and headed up to the city as a freelance sub for a range of Scottish dailies.
Eventually he berthed at the Daily Record where his performance on the casting couch was blamed for his humble position as Assistant Editor, Features.
He took redundancy in December 2005, teamed up with Shaun Milne,
an old
partner in crime, and set about creating Planet
Ink.
His heroes are Nelson Mandela and David Bowie.
He likes a drink and would like to see world peace.
He’s the old, bald one with tattoos and a pierced nipple. Before his midlife crisis, he was editor of a weekly newspaper, then he packed it in and headed up to the city as a freelance sub for a range of Scottish dailies.
Eventually he berthed at the Daily Record where his performance on the casting couch was blamed for his humble position as Assistant Editor, Features.
He took redundancy in December 2005, teamed up with Shaun Milne,
His heroes are Nelson Mandela and David Bowie.
He likes a drink and would like to see world peace.
DEREK BRYCE: Creative
Director
Dad of two Derek Bryce knows that getting the publication right first time is anything but child’s play.
He’s the main man when it comes to getting out the crayons and making the words and pictures sing.
Educated at Glasgow College of Building and Print, he boasts more than a decade of commercial creative experience before being head-hunted by the national Press.
As a key artist with the Daily Record, he was involved with the best selling supplements in Scotland, before being lured to Planet Ink by former boss Gerry Cassidy.
Since then he has been promoted to Creative Director overseeing the artistic direction of the company.
He is very tall. Very, very tall.
Dad of two Derek Bryce knows that getting the publication right first time is anything but child’s play.
He’s the main man when it comes to getting out the crayons and making the words and pictures sing.
Educated at Glasgow College of Building and Print, he boasts more than a decade of commercial creative experience before being head-hunted by the national Press.
As a key artist with the Daily Record, he was involved with the best selling supplements in Scotland, before being lured to Planet Ink by former boss Gerry Cassidy.
Since then he has been promoted to Creative Director overseeing the artistic direction of the company.
He is very tall. Very, very tall.
VAL
HEYWOOD: Non Executive
Director
An old boss (that’s old as in former) once told Val that she would make the ideal non-exec director one day, since the prerequisite for such a role was to be good at asking Good Questions. No responsibility apparently need be taken for the supplying of Good Answers.
So when she met Shaun and Gerry in 2006, and recognised them as Good Guys with a Good Idea, she immediately cast aside her mops and dusters, scaled the steps, held her nose and dived in.
Val’s early experiences were garnered from retailing, then domestic engineering, then finally an opportunity arose to work in her ideal environment and to put her pedantic tendencies to Good Use. So she’s now a freelance proof-reader and is currently tidying up reports for an online personality profiling company. Watch out, she can tell more about you than you know about yourself!
An old boss (that’s old as in former) once told Val that she would make the ideal non-exec director one day, since the prerequisite for such a role was to be good at asking Good Questions. No responsibility apparently need be taken for the supplying of Good Answers.
So when she met Shaun and Gerry in 2006, and recognised them as Good Guys with a Good Idea, she immediately cast aside her mops and dusters, scaled the steps, held her nose and dived in.
Val’s early experiences were garnered from retailing, then domestic engineering, then finally an opportunity arose to work in her ideal environment and to put her pedantic tendencies to Good Use. So she’s now a freelance proof-reader and is currently tidying up reports for an online personality profiling company. Watch out, she can tell more about you than you know about yourself!
SIMON
COX: Writer
Formerly based with the Scottish Daily Mirror, award winning writer Simon holds an MA in English and History, and is certified by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
A keen football, golf and cricket fan, he previously worked for a number of other titles, including Scottish Field Magazine and website 110sport.com.
With a superb eye for detail, Simon is trusted with working on a range of client publications for Planet ink Ltd, and is a key member of the editorial team.
He's not yet mastered the Scots accent.
His colleagues call him 'The Saint' on account of his unflappable patience with PR staff.
Formerly based with the Scottish Daily Mirror, award winning writer Simon holds an MA in English and History, and is certified by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
A keen football, golf and cricket fan, he previously worked for a number of other titles, including Scottish Field Magazine and website 110sport.com.
With a superb eye for detail, Simon is trusted with working on a range of client publications for Planet ink Ltd, and is a key member of the editorial team.
He's not yet mastered the Scots accent.
His colleagues call him 'The Saint' on account of his unflappable patience with PR staff.
KIM
THOMPSON: Office manager
Mother of two Kim is the glue that keeps Planet Ink Ltd together ensuring the smooth running of the operation.
A former PA to several national newspaper editors she is used to working at Board level, and responsible for managing client accounts and projects.
In her spare time she practises martial arts and is a keen music lover.
She is probably the world's biggest fan of pop combo The Killers.
Chocolate will be her downfall.
Mother of two Kim is the glue that keeps Planet Ink Ltd together ensuring the smooth running of the operation.
A former PA to several national newspaper editors she is used to working at Board level, and responsible for managing client accounts and projects.
In her spare time she practises martial arts and is a keen music lover.
She is probably the world's biggest fan of pop combo The Killers.
Chocolate will be her downfall.