Jessica Urcella Huie MBE (born 20 March 1980, in Paddington, London)[1] is the founder of multicultural greeting card company, Color blind cards[2] and JH Public Relations.[3][4][5][6][7]

Jessica Huie
Born (1980-03-20) 20 March 1980 (age 44)
Nationality British
OccupationEntrepreneur
Years active1997 - present
Websitewww.jhpr.co.uk

Personal life

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Huie was born in Paddington (London, UK) to an English mother and Jamaican father.[4]

Career

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Huie's first role in the media sector was at the age of 17 when she began working as an office junior for Connie Filipello Publicity. In 1999 Huie joined Max Clifford Associates as a press consultant, completing an internship while studying a degree in journalism, and then joining the firm as a public relations consultant - a role she held from 2004-2008.[4] Huie has worked as a freelance reporter[4] specialising in entertainment news for a variety of organisations, including BBC London Radio (Amina Taylor Show), Choice FM (Dave VJ Show), Pride Magazine[4] and the Sunday Mirror / Daily Mirror.[citation needed] In 2006 Huie founded Color blind cards - the first greeting card company to supply mainstream greeting card retailers in the UK with cards that celebrated racial and ethnic diversity. In 2009 Huie expanded the presence of the business into South Africa, and then in 2013 the business also expanded into the US market.[3][4]

On her departure from Max Clifford Associates in 2008, Huie founded JH Public Relations - an agency providing public relations services to celebrities, entrepreneurs, and high-profile brands.[8] She was part of a round table on enterprise with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.[8] She was a franchisee of Forward Ladies.[citation needed]

Huie has performed a number of public speaking engagements and was presenter of the Precious Awards for women of colour in business 2010-2012.[9]

She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to entrepreneurship and positive influence on community.[10] Huie is an active public speaker and ambassador for youth, enterprise and social mobility, giving her time at numerous schools, entrepreneurial organisations and charities. In 2014 JH Public Relations partnered with Kruger Cowne Talent Management agency, whose clients include Bob Geldof, Boris Becker, Lily Cole, Amanda Wakeley and Emmanuel Jal.[11]

Awards

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  • Glamour Magazine 'Power List' March 2011[citation needed]
  • Courvoisier Future 500, June 2009 [8]
  • Winner of Daily Mail's Enterprising Young Brit, Nov 2007 [8]
  • Red Magazine ’35 under 35’ 2010[citation needed]
  • Evening Standard Inspirational Entrepreneur, Jan 2007[citation needed]
  • Precious Entrepreneur of the Year, Nov 2007[12]
  • Best Start-up, European Federation of Black Women Business Owners, Dec 2007[citation needed]
  • Observer's Entrepreneurs to watch, Jan 2008[citation needed]
  • Became Fellow of the RSA 2013[citation needed]
  • National Diversity Award 2013[13][14]
  • MBE 2014[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Jessica Huie MBE". Kruger Cowne. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Jessica Huie Adds Diversity To The International Greeting Card Industry With Colorblind Cards". MadameNoire. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b Charl Du Plessis (31 January 2011). "Times, "Cashing in on the race card", by Charl Du Plessis, 31st January 2011". Timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Brown, Jonathan (16 November 2007). "The Independent, "The single mother who noticed a gap in the greetings card market", by Jonathan Brown, 16th November 2007". London: Independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  5. ^ "Stylist Magazine, "Entrepreneurs share their secrets"". Stylist.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  6. ^ The Telegraph, "Honour for woman who wanted her daughter to have positive role models", by Patrick Sawer, 13 June 2014[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Caroline Davies (13 June 2014). "Honours – recognition of the extraordinary ordinary" (PDF). The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2015.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ a b c d "The Guardian". London. 7 December 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Perfect hosts for an event celebrating entrepreneurial and leadership talent. Rasheed and Jessica will host The PRECIOUS Awards 2015- Jessica Huie MBE, CEO Colorblind Cards Ltd and Founder JH Public Relations Ltd". The 9th Annual PRECIOUS Awards. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  10. ^ "No. 60895". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 2014. p. b20.
  11. ^ Anna Reynolds (8 January 2015). "Celebrity talent agency Kruger Cowne partners with JH Public Relations". Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  12. ^ "Jessica Huie: The Precious Entrepreneur of the Year". PRECIOUS Awards. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  13. ^ "Greetings Today, "Jessica's a winner"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  14. ^ "Jessica Huie: Winner of the National Diversity Awards 2013- Entrepreneur of Excellence Award for Race, Religion & Faith". National Diversity Awards. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  15. ^ The Telegraph, "Honour for woman who wanted her daughter to have positive role models", by Patrick Sawer, 13 June 2014 [dead link]
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