Philip is a senior international communications director with more than 30 years’ experience including many of the most challenging posts in both corporate and consultancy PR. Throughout his career in corporate communications, Philip has specialised in managing contentious, high profile issues.
He has worked at Board level in a number of major organisations, where he has contributed to company strategy and advised Chairmen and CEOs on communication issues. He has particular experience in the energy sector, having directed communications for BNFL, the global nuclear group, from 2001 until its privatisation in 2007. This period saw a marked turnaround in government and public sentiment towards new nuclear build.
Philip served as Chairman of the Nuclear Industry Association and was a board member of Foratom, the European nuclear group. In January 2007 he was appointed to a global public relations role for Russian energy giant Gazprom, based in London, but working closely with the Moscow centre. During Philip’s time at Gazprom, the company successfully entered new markets in the UK, Europe and the US, with proactive communications playing a key role in its successful growth. He established and led a small communications function, including community relations, corporate reputation management, internal communications, government and media communications.
In October 2009 Philip joined the award winning international business communication consultancy College Group as a senior partner, specialising in energy and emerging markets.
Philip also undertakes management consultancy, professional mentoring and communication training, working in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He is regularly invited to speak at major international conferences on energy industry communication issues. He is a Fellow and former President of the CIPR, a Fellow of the RSA, former Master of the Guild of Public Relations, a Fellow of the PRCA and a board director of BH Live.
Philip has been named by PR Week as one of the 25 most influential PR practitioners of the last 25 years.
Philip talks about his experience in this video.
Watch Philip in this video talk about crisis communication.