Phil Shanahan, BA (Hons) – Managing Editor
Phil is a multi-award winning journalist, editor and published author. Enigma Communications takes its name from the extraordinary story behind his book, The Real Enigma Heroes, which he had the honour of presenting to Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Phil’s media campaign to bring three unsung war heroes to public attention made international headlines, winning three of the biggest awards in the UK for campaigning regional journalism, presented by the Newspaper Society, Press Gazette and Northcliffe Newspapers.
The publicity drive, which received worldwide attention, also resulted in Phil being granted the Freedom of Bletchley Park and opening Alan Turing’s Hut (Hut 8) to the public.
Other accolades include receiving:
- A Front Page of the Year award for the handling of a sensitive Iraq war story which put on thousands of extra newspaper sales
- Managing Director’s Award for Special Achievement for all Central Independent Newspapers’ titles
- New Year’s Honour presented by the Mayor of Tamworth
He was also shortlisted for Best Advocate for the Midlands in the Birmingham Press Awards.
Phil has been involved in words and pictures since leaving university. He worked as a copywriter and photographer after gaining an honours degree in Communication Studies from The University of Sunderland. In addition to becoming a fully qualified journalist, Phil has completed various photographic training courses over the years, achieving a City and Guilds distinction.
For more than two decades he enjoyed a successful career in the media. Before founding Enigma Communications he was deputy group editor of a large newspaper and magazine group with more than 50 journalists.
Phil has been commissioned to write features in national newspapers including the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Sunday Express and The Sun.
As a travel writer and photographer, he has also helped to promote tourist destinations in many countries.
Phil has given numerous presentations on the importance of words and pictures in business. He also gives talks on the subject of his book.
Claire Shanahan, BA (Hons) – Content Editor
Claire is an experienced writer and content editor. Since graduating with a languages degree from King’s College, University of London, she has held various positions in the media. A fully qualified journalist, her CV includes stints as a chief reporter and news editor with daily newspapers. She has also worked at management level for one of the country’s largest newspaper groups.
As well as being a copywriter, Claire has had a lifelong passion for photography, having had both commercial and editorial photographs published.
Among her triumphs, she counts successfully campaigning for a large retail chain to stop selling alcohol in the same cabinet as soft drinks; and writing an article which persuaded a racecourse to change its policy on dealing with badly injured horses.
During her career Claire has also worked in digital publishing, both as a content and project manager. She was part of a small digital publishing team which won a BAFTA for creating a national history website commissioned by the Government. Other accolades include being content manager for an online memorials website which scooped several awards from the Newspaper Society and Data Publishers Association. She joined Enigma Communications in 201
