The team
Catherine Raynor and Ben Langdon lead Mile 91, supported by a team of talented and like-minded freelance associates.
All of our associates have extensive experience in photography, film or interviewing and we have previously worked with every single one of them so we can vouch for the quality of their work. But it’s not just about that. We want them to bring the same personal qualities, sensitivity and fun to the shoot that we do.
Ben
Ben has worked in developing countries and emerging economies for more than 15 years, photographing and filming in challenging environments and with vulnerable people. In the UK his work has taken him from hospitals to Buckingham Palace to puppy training camps. His natural friendliness means he gets the best out of his subjects, whether they have two legs or four. His creativity can bring out the interest in the most mundane moment. He also provides training in photography, film and editing skills.
Catherine
Catherine’s first taste of storytelling came in 2006 when she established VSO’s story gathering function. She has managed more than 40 story gathering visits to developing countries and emerging economies, plus numerous shoots in the UK. She has a keen eye for the heart of a story and is a sensitive interviewer. She is particularly adept at identifying barriers to productivity and helping organisations to break down silos that prevent powerful storytelling.
Ben
Ben is an award winning filmmaker whose work has been shown on TV and at festivals across Europe. He specialises in campaign films for charities – his films for the homeless charity Crisis have received over a million hits on YouTube. For Mile 91, Ben has worked on many films with clients such as Chickenshed and the National Union of Students. He also runs a number of our smartphone filmmaking courses. In other recent work, Ben has made films with musicians including Rufus Wainwright and for the renowned film maker Ken Loach.
Alex
Alex has been producing clear, compelling copy for charities for over a decade. Through Mile 91, she has written dozens of stories for charities as diverse as the Media Legal Defence Initiative, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Arthritis Care and VSO. Her natural warmth encourages people to open up and she has a knack for finding the hope and impact in the toughest situations. Alex is a huge dog fan so she was beside herself when Catherine asked for her help at a training day for Dogs for Good.
Lucy
As a sustainability copywriter, Lucy makes sure brands on a mission have the right words for the job – whether that’s helping an ethical pet food start-up disrupt the status quo, or supporting the world’s biggest fashion brands as they call for change across their industry. Lucy has been a copywriter for over a decade and has supported Mile 91 on several projects. Most recently, she joined us in helping the TUC celebrate their 150th anniversary with 150 stories about the people who have shaped the union movement in this country.
Helen
Helen spent over ten years working in fundraising and marketing account management roles at Barnardo’s and Breast Cancer Care, before taking time out when she became a mum to two boys. She supports Mile 91 with our marketing, managing our photo and film footage libraries and general logistical wizardry that helps keep the show on the road. She works part-time and spends the rest of the week keeping Ben, their boys, and Barley (the golden retriever!) in line. She is also Project Manager on the Langdon home renovation project so can often be found up a ladder with a paintbrush in hand.