Theo Paphitis hires Jess Littlewood as PR lead

The Theo Paphitis Retail Group (TPRG) has brought in LIVING TV’s (now SKYLiving) former senior PR manager, Jess Littlewood, as head of PR, with a brief to consolidate comms activity for the group and its chairman, Theo Paphitis.

Littlewood will oversee the personal publicity for television personality, retail entrepreneur and businessman Theo Paphitis, as well as his retail brands, Robert Dyas, Ryman and, strategically, Boux Avenue.

In the last four years, Littlewood moved into the retail sector as head of PR for retail supply chain specialist iForce.

Littlewood has worked on brands including Classic FM and The Samaritans, as well as TV brands including former teen channel Trouble, games entertainment channel Challenge and, for the majority of her TV career, LIVING TV.

At LIVING TV, she worked on UK and US TV brands such as Extreme Makeover, Most Haunted, America’s Next Top Model, Britain’s Next Top Model, Boston Legal, Four Weddings and numerous series with Jade Goody, including the final series following her battle with cancer. She also managed US press visits including to the Grey’s Anatomy set and The Emmys.

Paphitis said: “Jess is a welcome addition to my team. Her diverse PR background will help her get her feet under the table quickly and her arrival is perfectly timed to support my personal PR requirements, and also help us shout about all the aspects that make our brands stand out from the crowd.”

Littlewood added: “My blend of retail and entertainment PR experience has enabled me to be a good fit for the Theo Paphitis Retail Group.  Working closely with Theo and the brands is a very exciting opportunity and one that will use my complete skillset to create a consistent and joined up communications strategy for Theo and the group in a variety of areas.”