Communications professional with background in industry and government public affairs

Use communications to help organisations achieve their business goals and have a stong, focused and effective team.

Head of Communications and Information, Qatargas 3&4.....Jan 2007 to present

• Managing communications and information strategy on world’s largest liquefied natural gas project - joint venture with Shell, ConocoPhillips and Qatar Petroleum. Responsibilities include:

o Working with senior management to set define and set strategic direction for communications to support business objectives

Policy Adviser, Health & Safety Executive (UK)…................Aug 2004 to Jan 2007
Developed and implemented strategies to meet legal and policy requirements of the three inter-related legal disclosure regimes prior to the implementation of the FoI Act in 2005.
o Dealt with high profile information issues including nuclear power, defence and military, genetically modified organisms and major safety hazards such as petrochemical facilities.
o Principal FoI adviser on HSE’s investigation into the Buncefield oil storage depot explosion and fire which resulted in high profile prosecutions.

Communications Manager, Health & Safety Executive (UK)..Feb 2001 to Aug 2004

• British government post with national occupational health and safety enforcement and promotion department.

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Communications Manager, Dept. of Social Security (UK)....Nov 1999 to Feb 2001

• British government post with department responsible for welfare and work benefits and state pensions.

o Responsible for external and internal communications, including communications with some 120,000 staff
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Public Relations Manager, Quadrant PR (UK).......................Dec 1998 to Nov 1999

• Consultant to Glaxo Wellcome plc (pharmaceuticals) and BHP Petroleum (offshore oil and gas).

Public Relations Officer, London Borough, Hounslow (UK)..July 1997 to Dec 1998

• Responsible for press office and advising councillors and officers on PR and media.

Public Relations Consultant, TPO Ltd (UK) ..........................Oct 1996 to July 1997

• Consultancy role advising industrial and public sector clients.
Media Officer, Manweb/Scottish Power plc (utilities) (UK) …May 1989 to Sept 1996

• Joined company to support its transition from a state-owned utility to a privatised plc.

Various communications and media roles before 1989

Qualifications and training:

• Master’s degree in Politics and Mass Media, Distinction, Liverpool University, 2005
• Bachelor’s degree, English Literature, University of Wales, 1984
• Crisis management training, UK government Emergency Planning College (1998) and Civil Service College, Government Information Officer course (2000)
• Trained in international Incident Command System, (ICS), used widely in the oil and gas industry
• Basic Arabic Beginner’s Certificate (Qatar Language Institute, 2008)

Member of UK Chartered Institute of Public Relations since 1997

• Professional with 20+ years’ experience in corporate and crisis communications, working in national government, local government and industry.