Mantis, the PR firm specialising in technology firms that target the public sector, has appointed former journalist Rebecca Paddick as senior account manager. Paddick was formerly managing editor of Wildfire Communications’ stable of education and technology specialist titles.

Rebecca Paddick adds a decade of experience in public sector technology writing and research, particularly in education, to the Mantis portfolio. Mantis has doubled its headcount in less than twelve months, grown in Turnover over 27%, and established offices in London and Bristol.

Before becoming managing editor, Rebecca Paddick was reporter and latterly editor of titles such as University Business, Education Technology, and Academy Today.

Gavin Loader, managing director at Mantis commented, “The senior team at Mantis has worked with Rebecca since we began the business over ten years ago, creating stories that worked for her readership, so we are thrilled that she’s joining the team. Her knowledge of the education and public sector, from policy to procurement, as well as her talent for knowing how to create and tell a story, will be a hugely attractive benefit for our clients.

Just over 40% of our clients have a market interest in her expert area of education, but our whole roster will experience the value of having a trained journalist, and digital content expert on our staff. Her appointment is a great end to what’s been a record year for us.”

Rebecca Paddick, senior account manager at Mantis, commented, “I’m so happy to be joining Mantis, a firm that I’ve always trusted and respected greatly. We’ve created some fantastic stories together around brilliant technology and innovation over my time in journalism, and I’m very much looking forward to working directly with our clients and doing the same.”