When the Honda plant closed, it took far more than jobs with it. It took business rates from the council, spending power from the high street, and an apprenticeship pipeline that thousands of young people in Swindon had relied on. Five years on, the picture looks very different.

Chris Dawes sits down with Will Stone, Labour MP for Swindon North, for a wide-ranging and genuinely unscripted conversation about how that turnaround happened. Will talks about his five years in the Rifles and how a military mindset shapes the way he approaches obstacles, the moment large defence companies told him there was no reason to come to Swindon, and the relentless engagement with more than 170 companies that followed.

Along the way, the conversation covers what dual-use technology actually means and why drones are as relevant to mountain rescue and policing as they are to defence, how the supply chain around advanced manufacturing creates work for composites firms, logistics businesses and service companies across Wiltshire, and why he chose defence over green technology as the first strategic priority for the town.

Will is also candid about the parts of the job that are harder to talk about. He addresses the misconception that Swindon becomes a target, explains why he would rather educate people than argue with them, and talks openly about the Harry Parker Bill, the responsibility of representing families through the worst moments of their lives, and how he protects his own mental health while doing it.

Whether you are a Swindon resident, run a business in Wiltshire or the wider South West, or you are simply interested in how a post-industrial town reinvents itself, there is a lot here.

Take One! with Visual PR Productions is our interview series built on a simple idea. Engaging conversations. Authentic stories. No scripts. One take.

Visual PR Productions is a video production company based in Swindon, working with businesses, charities and organisations across Wiltshire, the South West and the Thames Valley. If your organisation has a story worth telling, we would love to hear about it.

www.visual-pr.co.uk
enquiries@visual-pr.co.uk
01793 209806

In Episode 1, Part 2, host Chris Dawes, founder of Visual PR Productions, continues his candid conversation with Tom Cottam, the company’s Video Editor and Producer, to explore the incredible growth of Visual PR Productions and how authentic storytelling has shaped their journey.

Following Part 1’s inspiring story of Tom’s transition from teaching to video production, this episode dives deeper into what it takes to build a creative business, deliver professional content, and grow through collaboration and innovation.

Together, Chris and Tom discuss:

• How Visual PR’s Swindon-based video studio came to life and keeps evolving
• The power of collaboration with clients, colleges, and creative partners
• How automation and digital workflows help make professional video production more efficient and affordable
• Visual PR’s approach to authentic storytelling, repurposing content, and producing video for marketing, podcasting, and social media
• The team’s vision for the future – from new studios and live events to a potential Visual PR Productions franchise model

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Visual PR Productions combines creativity, technology, and genuine conversation to produce meaningful video content for businesses across Wiltshire and beyond.

If you’re a business owner, marketing professional, or creator looking to elevate your communication through video – whether it’s interviews, podcasts, or feature films – this episode will give you real insight into how it’s done, and how it can work for you.

🎧 Listen or watch now to see how one small idea has grown into a thriving video production company built on passion, partnership, and authenticity.

Visit https://www.visual-pr.co.uk/ to explore how we can help bring your story to life through studio and location filming, multi-camera podcast production, and digital marketing with video.

Stay Connected

If you enjoyed this episode of Take One! with Visual PR – Engaging conversations. Authentic stories. No scripts. One Take! – make sure to subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please like, comment, and share this video to help more people discover the power of authentic storytelling through video.

#TakeOneWithVisualPR #VisualPRProductions #VideoProduction #AuthenticStorytelling #SwindonBusiness

Visual PR Productions - video production in Swindon for businesses, charities and organisations across Wiltshire and the South West.
www.visual-pr.co.uk | enquiries@visual-pr.co.uk | 01793 209806

Welcome to Episode 1, Part 1 of Take One! with Visual PR Productions – Engaging conversations. Authentic stories. No scripts. One Take!

This brand-new, unscripted video podcast from Visual PR Productions showcases genuine, conversation-led storytelling that connects people through creativity, curiosity, and laughter. Each episode highlights real journeys, inspiring insights, and the value of authentic video content.

In this first episode, host Chris Dawes, professional motorsports commentator and founder of Visual PR Productions, is joined by Tom Cottam, Visual PR’s Lead Video Editor and Producer, for an open discussion about Tom’s remarkable career change – from teaching computer science to working full-time in film and video production.

Titled “From Blackboard to Backlight”, this episode explores:

• How the COVID-19 pandemic inspired Tom’s leap from teaching to video
• What goes into authentic, one-take video content
• The importance of storytelling and personality in great video production
• How Visual PR’s Swindon studio was built and continuously improved
• The power of video to transform communication, marketing, and training content

Whether you’re a business looking to elevate your digital marketing, an organisation keen to create professional studio-based video content, or simply interested in the people behind the camera, this episode provides insight into the creativity, collaboration, and passion that drives Visual PR Productions.

At Visual PR Productions, we help individuals and businesses tell their stories through video content creation, studio and location filming, multi-camera production, podcast recording, and digital marketing with video. Our approach is simple: keep it natural, keep it engaging, and do it all in one take.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode, coming next week, where Chris and Tom continue their discussion and explore how video can help businesses connect with their audiences more powerfully.

Visit https://www.visual-pr.co.uk to discover how we can help bring your story to life through professional, conversation-led video content.

Stay Connected

If you enjoyed this episode of Take One! with Visual PR – Engaging conversations. Authentic stories. No scripts. One Take! – make sure to subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please like, comment, and share this video to help more people discover the power of authentic storytelling through video.

#TakeOneWithVisualPR #VisualPRProductions #VideoMarketing #AuthenticStorytelling #SwindonBusiness

https://www.visual-pr.co.uk

https://chrisdawescomms.co.uk

https://www.opendawestraining.co.uk