James Backhurst

Co Founder & Creative Director

I come from a long line of engineers. My great-grandfather invented one of the first electric washing machines, and my grandfather worked with NASA to build parts for the Apollo Moon Missions, as well as contributing to Rolls-Royce and Concorde engines. Growing up with that legacy taught me that solving problems and inspiring people through innovative ideas and design isn’t just a skill—it’s what drives me, and what I love to do.

Prior to setting up The Allotment, I was a Design Director at Elmwood for 16 years where I helped set up the creative offer in the London Office.

As Creative Director, my focus is on leading our talented team to create ideas that tell compelling stories—stories that ultimately drive the commercial growth of the businesses I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

These include: 3i, Addleshaw Goddard, Anglian Water, ASDA, B&Q, BCLP, Bauer Media Group, BBC Comic Relief, BP, COI, Deutsche Bank, DFS, Hanson, ICI, Imperial War Museum, London City Airport, Lucite International, NCR, Opera North, Optal, Oxford Science Enterprises, Quality furniture Company, RAC, Radical Sports Cars, Richardson Sheffield, Royal Mail, Tees Law, The Donkey Sanctuary, The Met Office, Vaux Breweries, Yorkshire Water, ZSL to name just a few.

Paula Talford

Co-founder & Creative Director

I’ve always had a real love for design, and over the years I’ve been lucky enough to turn that passion into a career working with some amazing people and brands.

My career started at Elmwood in Leeds. I then moved to London and worked with some of the UK’s most influential branding agencies—becoming a Senior Designer at Williams Murray Hamm and then Creative Director at Turner Duckworth. This experience was the foundation for co-founding The Allotment Brand Design, which has been an exciting and hugely rewarding adventure for the last 15 years.

For more than 25 years, I have had the pleasure of working with some of the worlds most iconic brands such as Coca-Cola, Bacardi, AT&T, Red Bull, Kellogg’s and Waitrose—as well as a host of brilliant entrepreneurial clients including Liz Earle Beauty Co, Elemis and Cotswold Natural Stone. I love having the opportunity to apply clear thinking, creativity and attention to detail to help brands and businesses grow and evolve.

Along the way, my work has picked up over 70 international awards across branding and packaging, from D&AD, DBA and Design Week to Pentawards, Cannes Lions, Clios, One Show, Graphis and Red Dot.

I have also had the pleasure of being a D&AD judge, which is always a great opportunity to see some truly inspiring work from across the industry. A lot of my projects have often featured in the design press, which is a lovely bonus and a reminder of the impact thoughtful branding can have.