OUR TEAM
“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch,
you must first create the universe.”
Carl Sagan
At First Create The Media, we believe that it’s not enough to do great science. It needs context, clarity and a coherent story to make an impact and attract the right kind of attention.
We’re a team of smart, talented people who can sniff out a story, create compelling messages and turn complex science into clear communications for a range of audiences.
Get in touch to find out how we can help you share your story.
OUR VALUES
QUALITY
Great science deserves great communication – we pride ourselves on doing every job well and delighting our clients.
UNDERSTANDING
We understand our clients’ needs and their science, and we only work with organisations that understand the value of communication.
INTEGRITY
We’re a no-nonsense company – we’re not buying it, and we’re not selling it either.
RESPECT
We treat everyone who works with us with respect – whether staff, contractors or clients – and we expect it in return.
OUR TALENTED TEAM
KAT ARNEY
Founder and Chief Creative Officer
Kat Arney is a multi award-winning science writer, public speaker and broadcaster. She founded First Create The Media in 2018, assembling a team of brilliant humans to help innovators and pioneers in the life sciences tell their stories to the world.
Kat holds a first class degree in Natural Sciences and a PhD from Cambridge University. After leaving the lab, she spent 12 years in the science communications team at Cancer Research UK, co-founding the charity’s ground-breaking Science Blog and acting as a principal media spokesperson.
Kat is the author of three books, Herding Hemingway’s Cats: Understanding how our genes work, How to Code a Human and Rebel Cell: cancer, evolution and the science of life, and has presented numerous radio shows and podcasts, including Genetics Unzipped and The Suffrage Science podcast: How women are changing science, also produced by the team at First Create The Media. She wrote and presented Ingenious on BBC Radio 4, a series of short stories about our genes, and Bug in the System, a three part flagship documentary series about the past, present and future of cancer.
When she’s not working, Kat loves making music, drinking single malt whisky and snuggling spaniels.
FERGUS POWELL
Director of Client Services
Fergus is responsible for managing our diverse portfolio of client projects. He keeps projects running smoothly, from initial planning to delivery and wrap up. In addition, Fergus acts internally as Operational Director with responsibilities within our company Operations, People, Finance, IT and data management functions.
Fergus holds a first class degree in Natural Sciences and an MSc in Science Communication. He has previously worked within the higher education and research sectors to organise events, lead projects and engage with public groups.
When he isn’t extolling the joys of Trello (our project management tool) or knee-deep in a spreadsheet, you may find Fergus rehearsing for his latest theatre production or playing board games.
LAUREN GRAY
Head of Creative
Lauren is responsible for the creation and delivery of content across our life sciences clients, ensuring every project meets our high quality standards.
As an experienced science writer and editor, she has previously worked for a genomics event and media production company, a B2B science publisher, and at a life science marketing agency. Prior to this, she taught English to students of all ages in sunny Spain!
Lauren has a particular fondness for all things microbial (she holds a BSc in Microbiology, after all) but her career has allowed her to delve into topics as far-reaching as analytical chemistry, pharmaceuticals, multi-omics, and cannabis science.
When she’s done with work for the day, you will probably find Lauren indulging in one of her many hobbies — perhaps playing the latest cosy Switch game, enjoying a spot of knitting, or perusing recipe books for her next meal.
MARTIN ROBBINS
Business Advisor
Martin is in charge of our business strategy.
He holds a first class degree in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence. Alongside his role at First Create The Media, he works as a product strategist in health-tech, as well as being a consultant in applied machine learning and freelance writer.
In his spare time, Martin loves travelling, eating good food and enjoying single malts.
DAISY ARNEY
Chief Barking Officer
Working with FCTM on a fractional basis, Daisy ensures that the canine division is equitably represented on the company board (and by board, we mean sofa).
The queen of side-eye, she supports the leadership team by alerting us to the presence of serious business risks including squirrel infiltration, insufficient supply of cuddles, and failure to observe dinnertime.
EMBER GRAY
Head of Retrieves
Ember puts the “working” in Working Cocker Spaniel, handling field assignments alongside Lauren with speed and precision. Also known as “Tigger” for her spring-loaded jumps, she brings boundless energy to the team when it’s needed most.
Her current focus is chew-based R&D for the canine division, though she’s equally committed to her other speciality: falling asleep on the job with her beloved Mr. Bear.
TUPPENCE, BOBA, ROSIE & NUTMEG POWELL
Co-Heads of Hay & Snuggles / Intern / Junior Intern
Tuppence (joined January 2024) and Boba (joined April 2024) are honorary members of the canine department (cavine sub-division). They work closely with Fergus, using their talents at looking cosy to maintain our Key Cuteness Indicators and wheeking at regular intervals to ensure a constant hay supply.
Rosie was the newest member of the team in August 2025, but she unexpectedly brought Nutmeg on board as a surprise junior member a few weeks later! Fergus is coming to terms with being a grandfather.