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I am a senior communications strategist with global exposure across government, corporate and NGO sectors in the GCC. Trusted by ministers, CEOs, regulators and global institutions, I deliver high-impact communication strategies and award-winning PR campaigns that protect and enhance reputations across tight deadlines and complex stakeholder landscapes. I’ve drafted op-eds, speeches and talking points for some of the region’s most recognisable figures, provided media training, crisis and issues management, and strategic counsel. I founded Alistair Crighton Consulting in 2023 to help clients navigate geopolitical risk, tourism development and growth campaigns—from Saudi to Abu Dhabi and beyond.…I am a senior communications strategist with global exposure across government, corporate and NGO sectors in the GCC. Trusted by ministers, CEOs, regulators and global institutions, I deliver high-impact communication strategies and award-winning PR campaigns that protect and enhance reputations across tight deadlines and complex stakeholder landscapes. I’ve drafted op-eds, speeches and talking points for some of the region’s most recognisable figures, provided media training, crisis and issues management, and strategic counsel. I founded Alistair Crighton Consulting in 2023 to help clients navigate geopolitical risk, tourism development and growth campaigns—from Saudi to Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Alistair Crighton

Writer, Content Producer, Brand Strategist, +4

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I am a senior communications strategist with global exposure across government, corporate and NGO sectors in the GCC. Trusted by ministers, CEOs, regulators and global institutions, I deliver high-impact communication strategies and award-winning PR campaigns that protect and enhance reputations across tight deadlines and complex stakeholder landscapes. I’ve drafted op-eds, speeches and talking points for some of the region’s most recognisable figures, provided media training, crisis and issues management, and strategic counsel. I founded Alistair Crighton Consulting in 2023 to help clients navigate geopolitical risk, tourism development and growth campaigns—from Saudi to Abu Dhabi and beyond.…I am a senior communications strategist with global exposure across government, corporate and NGO sectors in the GCC. Trusted by ministers, CEOs, regulators and global institutions, I deliver high-impact communication strategies and award-winning PR campaigns that protect and enhance reputations across tight deadlines and complex stakeholder landscapes. I’ve drafted op-eds, speeches and talking points for some of the region’s most recognisable figures, provided media training, crisis and issues management, and strategic counsel. I founded Alistair Crighton Consulting in 2023 to help clients navigate geopolitical risk, tourism development and growth campaigns—from Saudi to Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Available to hire

I am a senior communications strategist with global exposure across government, corporate and NGO sectors in the GCC. Trusted by ministers, CEOs, regulators and global institutions, I deliver high-impact communication strategies and award-winning PR campaigns that protect and enhance reputations across tight deadlines and complex stakeholder landscapes.

I’ve drafted op-eds, speeches and talking points for some of the region’s most recognisable figures, provided media training, crisis and issues management, and strategic counsel. I founded Alistair Crighton Consulting in 2023 to help clients navigate geopolitical risk, tourism development and growth campaigns—from Saudi to Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Work Experience

Founder & Managing Director at Alistair Crighton Consulting

October 1, 2023 - Present

Led in-depth geopolitical risk analysis on Gulf–Africa development; produced a strategic report covering aid, investment and political exposure across central African states. Advised on and drafted an investment brochure for the Saudi Tourism Ministry. Created and led PR and brand-awareness campaigns (notably for Arabian Gulf Business Insight), contributing to its growth as a leading Gulf business media brand and driving new commercial opportunities. Provided crisis management counsel for clients in luxury tourism and financial services. Directed communications and marketing for BLD.Market, a UAE renovations startup, overseeing market research, brand strategy, digital marketing, and PR. Retained by clients including ADIA Labs, Tukon International, Dubai Chamber, Zenobia Intelligence and the Saudi Tourism Authority.

Director, Strategy & Planning at Hill+Knowlton Strategies (Burson), Dubai

February 1, 2020 - October 1, 2023

Strategic lead for marquee clients including DCT Abu Dhabi, AD Airports, Masdar, ADNOC, NEOM Green Hydrogen, Visa, and Saudi Aramco. Led internal and external communications for Masdar during a major shareholder restructure. Directed launch communications for Zayed International Airport (formerly Midfield Terminal). Developed centralized crisis protocols and a bespoke crisis management app for Majid Al Futtaim Group. Appointed Middle East Chair, Global Public Affairs Practice.

Director, Growth & Innovation at ASDA’A BCW

January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012

Senior leadership role advising government, corporate and NGO clients on strategy, messaging and risk. Led engagements for UAE Prime Minister’s Office, Dubai Executive Council, Crown Prince Court, Ministries of Finance, UNHCR, EMAAR, Ford, GE, and NOON. Directed communications for the Federal Tax Authority’s VAT rollout and UNHCR’s Zakat campaign. Led editorial content for the Arab Youth Survey, a globally recognised benchmark in regional sentiment. Drafted the winning Special Olympics 2019 bid book for Abu Dhabi. Provided counsel on crisis response, stakeholder engagement and media coaching at ministerial and board levels.

Director, Growth & Innovation at ASDA’A BCW

January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2020

Continued leadership in strategy, messaging and risk across government, corporate and NGO clients. Built on prior work to drive campaigns and brand outcomes, including crisis response, stakeholder engagement and media coaching for high-level stakeholders.

Special Projects Director at Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing

January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016

Managed regional partnerships and commercial publishing strategy in a high-level cultural joint venture. Drove revenue through strategic content development and stakeholder engagement, contributing a major share of annual company revenue.

Publisher & Group Editor at Motivate Publishing

January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2010

Oversaw regional business and media titles including Gulf Business, Campaign ME, and Business Traveller ME. Repositioned titles via independent editorial strategy and targeted growth. Managed multi-disciplinary content teams and led strategy for commercial/editorial integration.

Managing Editor at Arabies Trends

January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2008

Directed editorial for one of the region’s respected current affairs magazines. Covered politics, energy and economics, building relationships with senior policymakers and business leaders worldwide.

Founder & Editor at St Petersburg Press

January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1993

Launched and ran one of post-Soviet Russia’s first English-language newspapers.