Steve Read - Managing Director

Steve founded 1st Place, the UK's leading product placement agency with his wife Liza in 1991

Previously Steve had been a Graphic Designer, Art Director and Creative Group Head in both the UK and USA for advertising agencies including Y&R, FCB and Chiat Day in San Francisco, and Austin Knight Business to Business in London working for blue chip brands including Ford, Apple and B.A. In his spare time Steve indulges in his passion for historic cars racing a Ford Anglia and Palliser Formula 2 with the Historic Sports Car Club.

Liza Read - Placement Director

Originally from the USA, with a BFA Degree in Film. In San Francisco she was a TV Ads Producer on accounts including Ernst & Julio Gallo and Intel. Became M.D. of specialist printing company Hero for clients including FCB, Landor Assoc. and O&M. Moved to UK and seeing a gap in the market, set up 1st Place in 1991, where she is today Placement Director.

Liza enjoys travel and motor racing. The only lady driver to compete in the Historic Saloons Championship she won the 2006 Team Trophy.

James Tanner - I.T Manager

James started his I.T career as a in-house programmer and webdesigner back in 1999, since then he has completed qualifications in Microsoft MCP, MCSD.net & MCSE.

James joined 1st Place in November 2007 and very quickly joined forces with Oliver, our Studio Manager to bring the companies web presence up to date, implementing new ideas and functionality across the board in all aspects of I.T.

In his spare time, James enjoys working on, and modifying cars as well as being a regular party animal at weekends.

Claire Castle - Placement Manager

Claire graduated with a Degree in Media and Cultural Studies from Nottingham Trent University, after which she worked for Granada Studios and Channel 5 in various research and production roles.

An 8 month world trip included time spent on Koh Phi Phi island in Thailand, where as part of a volunteer group, she helped re-build the island’s one and only hospital following its destruction in the Boxing Day tsunami.

Claire started with 1st Place in 2005 and as Placement Manager has the daily responsibility of managing our clients and production company liason – crucial aspects for a successful placement!