Rick founded what would become Fisher King Publishing in 1991... by accident. He was working in advertising in the Middle East when approached by an influential Emerati to help his aged aunt publish a fascinating memoir of her family life in Iran. Pointing out to the influential Emerati that an advertising agency does not publish books, was not an option. One thing led to another, that book, along with two children's illustrated titles produced for charitable fundraising and the first highway code for the UAE was the catalyst to Rick forming that first imprint.

Rick says, "Most businesses are started with a mixture of naivety and eternal optimism; you don't know what you don't know but applying the strapline of a famous brand can be a good starting point, 'Just Do It'. We just did it."

On his return to the UK, Rick acquired and created various business interests and for a time was CEO of a law firm with a special interest in anti-terrorism and covert policing. Rick is the founder of Mentor Group, he is also a Director of the digital marketing agency MADEBY7. 

When he is not working on the business he can often be found wearing a welding mask... he sculpts in steel and paints abstracts. And if you are of a mind to strike up a conversation about  cars and trucks, he's your man. Rick lives in North Yorkshire with his wife Sue, who is a veterinary surgeon, international lecturer in animal and human homeopathy, and founder of the Scott Creative Arts Foundation. They have two sons and their families, including four young grandchildren. 

Rich studied Media Production at Leeds Trinity, graduating in 2000 and in a fabulous 360 degree moment, in recognition of the work Rich has done with students over the years, he was made an Honorary Fellow.

Rich set up his first media agency whilst studying at University, which he grew to a multi-million pound business. The agency worked on digital marketing products for some of the largest blue-chip brands across the globe, spanning eCommerce website solutions, brand development and video production.

In 2018, Rich established and now manages the creative agency MADEBY7, which has partnered with over 150 creatives on all continents delivering the full range of creative media products to clients across the world. Rich has developed a team with huge depth of experience in growing brands and businesses, making a real impact regionally, nationally and internationally.

Rick Armstrong says, "Rich is a joy to be around and is like a son to us so when the opportunity to work together across Fisher King Publishing and Madeby7 came up, it was the easiest decision to make."

Rich brings his digital and marketing expertise to our ever expanding publishing house.

Rich lives in Leeds with his wife Abby and their three children.

Mike is a bestselling author, political commentator and former headmaster, and the Founder of Free Speech Press.

He has written and published eight books and edited numerous bestselling titles. His books and wider work have attracted praise and endorsements from some of the most recognisable figures in international media, literature, medicine and education, including Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Dr Peter McCullough and Sir Ken Robinson.

Before moving full-time into writing, publishing and political commentary, Mike spent almost three decades in education, including nineteen years as a headmaster. His work and unconventional approach to education attracted extensive national media attention, with coverage in The Times, The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, as well as appearances on mainstream television, including the BBC and Channel 4. The Daily Mail dubbed him, “Britain’s Most Outspoken Headmaster.”

During the so-called 'Covid era', Mike became the only serving headteacher or school principal in the UK to publicly question the rollout of Covid vaccines to children, from a profession comprising approximately 43,500 headteachers and principals. His stance brought him face to face with cancel culture, institutional pressure and state overreach, including the monitoring of his public commentary by government authorities.

Today, Mike is a regular political and cultural commentator, appearing across television, radio, podcasts and independent media to discuss free speech, education, censorship, civil liberties and the relationship between the individual and the state.

After years spent writing, publishing and publicly defending the right to challenge prevailing orthodoxies, Mike established Free Speech Press to become a leading international publisher for freedom of thought and expression, bringing together some of the world’s most influential and respected voices in the battle for free speech.

Rick Armstrong says, "Over recent years Mike has become like one of the family. When he mentioned his idea for Free Speech Press, it was so good we had the imprint and website set up and running within 24 hours. Within two weeks the first two titles were published. We made a new edition of  George Orwell's 1984 with a prologue by Neil Oliver, while Mike Graham's book Fake News became a number one best seller on Amazon on day 5 after launch. When Mike says, 'I have an idea...' brace yourself."

Mike is a father of four and a grandfather, and is married to Sundeep Sitara, a university lecturer in law and respected yoga practitioner. For him, the fight for freedom is a personal one. It is about the world we leave to our children and grandchildren, and to the generations of humanity yet to come. Throughout history, books have been one of the greatest ways of passing that inheritance on. They are read, shared, debated and preserved, carrying ideas across centuries and reminding us that every age inherits the responsibility to think freely, speak courageously and stand firm in defence of freedom.