The Fresh Air Studios Team
Paul Philpott, Managing Director
Since a teenager, Paul has worked (and pretty much grew up) in the broadcasting industry, working for local radio. He spent a short freelance period at BBC Radio 1 as a production assistant, before returning to Plymouth to study Media Production at Plymouth College of Art & Design (funding his student days by writing commercials). He then worked his way up the ranks at Plymouth Sound Radio (part of TLRC Radio Group, at that time) to become the station’s Promotions Manager, making the department one of the most successful in the group.
In mid 1997, he lead a training conference for the group’s S&P execs on the legalities and concepts of radio sponsorship, and from this point his career was being steered towards becoming an MD for one of the Group’s stations. However, in late ’97 he left to set up Fresh Air Studios. Like many who start in local radio, he has held several positions in parallel to running the production company, including presenting on the station’s breakfast show for 8 years (1999-2007) and becoming one of the region’s best known radio personalities.
In 2003, Fresh Air Studios Ltd was awarded the regional E-commerce award for E-business. In 2006 Paul’s broadcasting expertise was called on again when he was invited to become a director of Your Radio Ltd and work on local radio licence bids. In Dec 2007, Paul left regular broadcasting to fully dedicate and manage the expansion of Fresh Air Studios Ltd, although he still presents events for charity, including a fashion show in aid of St. Lukes Hospice ('08 and 09'), and the region's 'Face of Plymouth' event in front of over 1,500 people.
Paul has an eclectic music taste, and admits that his favourite artist of all time is Belinda Carlisle – but don’t poke fun at this, as he holds a martial arts Black Belt 1st Dan in Kickboxing and a Black Belt 1st Dan in Eskrima! He has also decided to a spot of personal training at the weekends as something 'totally different' with Sobey Fitness. Didn't anyone tell him exercise isn't good for you!
Lisa Hartwell, Producer & Writer
Lisa has been a drama queen all her life! Initially, she had great plans to become an actress and studied Drama at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, achieving a 2:1. While at university she developed an interest in television and radio and her production skills were praised even then (after editing a student film precisely to a pop music track using ancient equipment hidden away in the Drama Department’s attic).
Following her studies, Lisa became a presenter in local radio, initially at Kix 96 in Coventry before moving to Devon to work for Plymouth Sound and South Hams Radio over a period of 10 years. After Fresh Air Studios was created she became a resident voiceover, producer and writer.
Lisa has loved writing ever since she was a child and her professional writing projects have included radio commercials, on-hold scripts, film and theatre reviews, eBooks, newsletters and website articles. She enjoys blogging and has created a number of different websites.
When she isn’t in front of a computer, Lisa loves to travel and has been backpacking around Australia, Europe and the Solomon Islands, although these days she tends to prefer more luxury from her holidays.
Sally Reader, Project Management
Sally is the team’s resident control freak - making sure all the projects are managed and delivered on time!
Starting off in radio at the tender age of 15, Sally has worked as both a presenter and producer for the BBC, Plymouth Sound, various student radio stations, Kiss FM, Global Traffic Network, Heart and can still occasionally be heard on Pirate FM (Cornwall) and Traffic Radio (UK wide).
Sally has a BA Hons degree in Media Production, but would rather have one in politics.
Mixed in with broadcasting, Sally had a stint as an office manager for Soho based post production house Resolution followed by production accounting for Pioneer Productions and September Films. When life in the big smoke became too much, Sally lived in Australia for a year and travelled the world for another year, before realising all she really want to do was live near the sea.
Sally can also be heard as one of the voices of the 3 mobile network, and it is through the early stages of this project with Fresh Air Studios in 2009 that she took a keen interest in the work the production company does, in particular IVR.
Deciding it was time to get a ‘proper’ job Sally joined the Fresh Air Studios team in May 2010. When not working - which isn’t often – Sally likes the odd glass of wine, the beach and watching live music. Current favourites, Pinot Grigio, Whitsand and Elbow.
Jon Iles, Senior Writer & Voiceover
On leaving school, Jon Iles went to the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama, where he qualified as a teacher of English and Drama but chose to pursue a career as an actor.
After 10 years of working in the theatre - and 150 television commercials - he joined the cast of The Bill in 1984 as DC Mike Dashwood, and spent a very happy 10 years on the show. On leaving The Bill he chose to withdraw from public life and moved into the heady world of voiceovers! Since relocating to Plymouth in 2005, voiceovers and writing have become his main career.
Jon has written 4 stage plays that have been produced for theatre, a number of radio plays, a sitcom, and even a short story for Woman’s Own. These days Fresh Air Studios puts his writing talent to good use with commercial copywriting, corporate scripts, podcasts and audio brochures.
Jon is a qualified Gym Instructor and loves his daily workout. He enjoys travelling and has been around the world twice both through work and pleasure, with his theatre productions taking him from Muscat in Oman to Sarawak in Borneo. On a slightly less glamorous note, he has played the full canon of panto villains in elegant locations from Southport to Southend.
Say hello to our creative team. Friendly and approachable - promise.
