Available to hire
A seasoned reputation and issues manager with a 30 year track record in strategic communications, media relations and crisis management for complex organisations around the world, including UK & Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
Experience Level
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Assistant Director, Engagement and Advocacy at University of Leeds
April 1, 2022 - PresentDeveloped and implemented an engagement and advocacy strategy to promote the university’s reputational positioning with students, researchers and government; reoriented the Engagement and Advocacy team to deliver tangible brand outcomes; provided senior leadership with high‑level issues and media management guidance.
Strategic Communications Adviser at Universities Australia
December 1, 2019 - March 1, 2022Provided strategic media and communications counsel for the peak higher education body; managed community and stakeholder campaigns to promote benefits of Australia’s university sector; handled proactive and reactive media, including during the 2019–20 bushfires and COVID-19; managed ministerial and university stakeholder relationships.
Manager, Partnerships and Communications at Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria
January 1, 2018 - December 1, 2019Planned and implemented a state‑wide community engagement campaign to raise awareness of waterway health; liaised with catchment management authorities and water corporations; managed issues related to waterway health and stakeholder engagement.
Director, Media and Corporate Communications and Chief of Staff (contract role) at Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2018Directed media and corporate communications; served as Chief of Staff; ensured compliance with Royal Commission notices; developed gender equality and inclusion strategy; oversaw domestic and family violence policy initiatives and Indigenous policing events; advised on reputational risk and governance matters.
Assistant Director, Strategic Communications at Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (Victoria)
April 1, 2014 - July 1, 2015Developed external communications for nine Victorian Government ministers and portfolios; managed speech writing, media releases, Q&A briefs and issues management across investment, aviation, technology, energy and earth resources.
Director, Communications and Engagement at Children’s Health Queensland and the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane
January 1, 2011 - April 1, 2014Senior communications lead focused on staff and stakeholder engagement; managed issues and reputation, increasing endorsements and engagement among staff, neighbours and community influencers; advised CEO, minister and board on communications strategy.
Director, Communications & Acting Branch General Manager at Department of Infrastructure and Transport, Canberra
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011Led external and internal communications for major infrastructure and transport programs; directed community engagement campaigns for projects worth over $50B; provided strategic communications guidance to minister and senior staff; acted as general manager for the community engagement branch.
Head of Communication at British High Commission, Canberra
February 1, 2009 - January 1, 2010Led the High Commission’s public affairs function and strategic communications plan; provided media guidance, speeches and briefings to the High Commissioner and UK ministers; delivered the UK apology to the ‘Forgotten generation’ of child migrants in Australia.
Group Director, Marketing at Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Cairns
January 1, 2007 - February 1, 2009Developed destination marketing strategies for aviation, cruise, indigenous and health tourism; implemented an emerging markets plan, doubling Chinese visitor numbers; led aviation access initiatives.
Managing Director at MCS /Action
December 1, 2005 - December 1, 2006Based in Dubai; restructured the agency to improve profitability, staff retention and client service; managed 50 staff across UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait; led high‑profile Middle East campaigns for blue‑chip clients.
Managing Director at McCluskey & Associates International
January 1, 2001 - December 1, 2005Expanded MCA into one of the UK’s largest independent tourism and travel marketing strategists, representing destinations and transport clients across Europe and beyond.
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications at Australian Trade Commission (Austrade)
February 1, 1999 - January 1, 2001Integrated PR, corporate affairs and publications; established performance metrics and global communications campaigns, including the Business Club Australia initiative around the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Director of Communications at Tourism Tasmania, Hobart
February 1, 1995 - February 1, 1999Developed an integrated communications strategy to position Tourism Tasmania as Australia’s premier tourism promoter and rebuild the destination’s reputation after the Port Arthur tragedy; managed a $2M PR program and government/industry relations.
Manager, Corporate Communications and Marketing at Northwest Airlines, Minneapolis and London
April 1, 1990 - January 1, 1995Senior marketer coordinating European communications; managed a $1.5M budget and five agencies; created the company’s first comprehensive crisis communications plan and staff media training.
News Producer at BBC Radio
September 1, 1989 - April 1, 1990Produced news content and contributed to editorial decisions for radio programming.
Senior Information Officer at Royal Air Force
June 1, 1983 - September 1, 1989Public information and communications support across London, Central America and the South Atlantic; included appointment as Public Affairs Adviser to the Commander British Forces, Falkland Islands.
Public Affairs Adviser to the Commander British Forces, Falkland Islands at Royal Air Force
January 1, 1987 - July 1, 1987Public affairs advisory role based at Port Stanley during the Falklands period.
General News Reporter at South Wales Echo
August 1, 1981 - June 1, 1983General news reporting for a Cardiff-based newspaper.
Education
B.A. (Honours) in Politics at University of Sussex
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026Qualifications
NCTJ (Postgraduate) Certificate in Journalism
January 11, 2030 - January 15, 2026Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia
January 1, 2011 - January 15, 2026Industry Experience
Government, Education, Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Transportation & Logistics, Professional Services
Experience Level
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