Why Digital Content and Production Matter More Than Ever in Today's Stormy Waters
As we begin 2025, many of us are reflecting on the challenges and changes that have shaped the past year. For some, 2024 was a year of success, but for others—including myself—it marked the end of one chapter and the start of a new one.
The summer's General Election saw many dedicated individuals lose their positions, washed away by the electoral tide. I was one of them. Sadly, this also meant the loss of champions who had tirelessly highlighted key issues such as ocean conservation, coastal communities, and environmental protection.
But this isn’t a story of defeat. It’s a reminder that with sudden change often comes new opportunity. Change can be daunting, but it can also be transformative. When faced with uncertainty, we have two choices: resist and sink, or embrace the tides and swim. Like many others, I’ve chosen to swim.
That’s why I’ve co-founded StormGlide, a new start-up focused on film, audio, campaigns, and strategic production, alongside my brilliant friend Lewis Gosling. Lewis, who also serves on the directing team at a groundbreaking mental health organisation, is someone I’ve worked closely with for years. Together, we’re excited to launch StormGlide and chart a new course in the world of digital content.
We both come from coastal communities. Portsmouth, with its rich military heritage, thriving port, and beautiful coastal waters, has shaped us in more ways than one. It’s a city steeped in maritime history, from shipbuilding to housing marine taskforces, as well as being a hub for high-tech marine businesses and environmental restoration projects. It’s a place where international trade and passenger cruise ships meet, and where the importance of our oceans and coastal waters is deeply felt.
Having both served in local government as elected members, we’ve spent years focusing on issues affecting coastal communities and business. One of the proudest moments of my political career was working alongside Daniel Wemyss, my co-founder of Conservative Friends of the Ocean, to pass the Motion for the Ocean in Portsmouth. This motion called for increased ocean literacy, a stronger focus on blue environmental issues, and more innovation in local governance. We also led campaigns with ocean conservation and small business support to raise awareness and push for change in Whitehall. These efforts aimed to bridge the gap between policymakers and the real-world issues affecting our communities.
However, recent years have exposed a critical gap in the political landscape: a lack of digital literacy and effective communication at all levels of elected office. While parties like Labour and the Liberal Democrats have invested heavily in IT and digital media, the Conservative Party has lagged behind. This lack of digital infrastructure—and the ability to effectively communicate through digital platforms—was, in my opinion, one of the major factors in the party's poor performance in the last election.
And Lewis and I have friends across the political spectrum in all parties. We don’t believe in the harmful ‘group think’ or depressing ‘silo’ mode of political operation. Afterall, we come to form our opinions and conclusions based upon their lived experiences and surroundings. Who is to say one person is outrightly wrong over the next person? The key is to listen, respect and understand someone. You don’t have to always agree, but you metabolise their views and broaden your own as a result, hopefully, creating a much more holistic and rounded view of an issue, rather than narrowly following a much narrower view. Working with people from different backgrounds and views is enriching. And allows for even better communication.
The growing importance of effective communication isn’t limited to politics though. Across the private and public sectors, small businesses, non-profits, and campaigns are grappling with the rapid shifts of the digital age. For coastal communities, which are often at the end of transport lines and can feel forgotten, this challenge is even more pressing. Many businesses and organisations in these areas are struggling to stay visible and relevant, despite the significant role they play in our economy and environment.
When it comes to business and campaigns, communication plays an equally vital role. Good content creation can often feel distant from our daily lives, making it easy for their challenges to be overlooked. By crafting clear and compelling messages and media content, we can bridge this gap, bringing attention to the pressing issues facing our clients and the audience / customers that depend on them.
At StormGlide, we focus on helping organisations and individuals thrive in today’s fast-moving digital world. Drawing on years of experience in local and national politics, as well as a deep understanding of coastal and community issues, we aim to create content that is impactful, relatable, and effective. Whether it’s supporting businesses or driving campaigns, our mission is to help our clients navigate the ever-evolving landscape of modern communication.
The insights I’ve gained through my time in politics remain close to my heart. From advocating for campaign issue based awareness to crafting practical solutions, these experiences have highlighted the transformative power of clear, compelling communication.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about what the future holds—not just for StormGlide, but for the communities and causes we care about. Digital communication offers immense potential to drive positive change, amplify voices, and create new opportunities for growth.
As we all navigate the uncharted waters of 2025, one thing is certain: success will belong to those who embrace change and harness the power of communication to steer their course.
