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Senior government affairs and corporate communications specialist
Leon Cook
,
Sonning, United Kingdom
Experience
Other titles
Skills
I'm offering
Commercial & internationally experienced government relations & corporate communications specialist. 18+ years achievement in multinationals & leading consultancies, engaging with governments, media & external stakeholders across multiple sectors. Six-figure budget holder offering strong leadership and advocacy skills across international multicultural teams.
Markets
United Kingdom
Language
English
Fluently
French
Good
Dutch
Fluently
Ready for
Larger project
Ongoing relation / part-time
Full time contractor
Available
My experience
2018 - ?
job
Director of Communications at security, diplomacy and energy communications agency
Murex Strategy.
London & Tunis
Director of Communications at security, diplomacy and energy communications agency April 2018 - Present
• Team lead and full-time secondee advising the Chairman and Board of the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC - 67,000 staff).
• Overall NOC lead on corporate and crisis communications, government affairs, positioning, stakeholder engagement, campaigns, media relations, employee & community engagement, internal communications and visual identity for holding Co and subsidiaries.
• Leading a team of 12 and NOC media office (21) overseeing all aspects of corporate strategy and reputation management, with specific emphasis on positioning campaigns (investment, transparency, legitimacy, anti-smuggling), in-country communications, international lobbying and social media engagement.
• Helping NOC and the Chairman navigate a complex and diverse issues environment, including (though not exhaustive): EPSA and PSAs, inward investment, blockades, community protest, IOC contract disputes, litigation communications (force majeure), terrorism, pipeline sabotage, conflict, environmental issues, fuel theft, air crash, systemic corruption, sanctions regime, etc.
• Partner and stakeholder relations development (UN Panel of Experts, UNSMIL, UNDP, US NSC, EITI, EUNAVFOR, IOCs, etc.)
• NOC media spokesperson, media training, speech writing, op-eds, press releases, interview prep.
APCO Worldwide (Government Relations and Communications) London
Director of Communications at security, diplomacy and energy communications agency April 2018 - Present
• Team lead and full-time secondee advising the Chairman and Board of the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC - 67,000 staff).
• Overall NOC lead on corporate and crisis communications, government affairs, positioning, stakeholder engagement, campaigns, media relations, employee & community engagement, internal communications and visual identity for holding Co and subsidiaries.
• Leading a team of 12 and NOC media office (21) overseeing all aspects of corporate strategy and reputation management, with specific emphasis on positioning campaigns (investment, transparency, legitimacy, anti-smuggling), in-country communications, international lobbying and social media engagement.
• Helping NOC and the Chairman navigate a complex and diverse issues environment, including (though not exhaustive): EPSA and PSAs, inward investment, blockades, community protest, IOC contract disputes, litigation communications (force majeure), terrorism, pipeline sabotage, conflict, environmental issues, fuel theft, air crash, systemic corruption, sanctions regime, etc.
• Partner and stakeholder relations development (UN Panel of Experts, UNSMIL, UNDP, US NSC, EITI, EUNAVFOR, IOCs, etc.)
• NOC media spokesperson, media training, speech writing, op-eds, press releases, interview prep.
APCO Worldwide (Government Relations and Communications) London
Social Media, Writing, Training, Interview, Management, Security, Development, Office, International, Community, Energy, Energy, Social
2015 - 2018
job
Director in London
AMEC Foster Wheeler, GML.
• Senior public affairs and communications counsel to corporate and government clients in the UK, EU and internationally.
• Member of UK Management team and global energy practice. UK Government Affairs team lead.
• Completed a 9-month secondment within Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC - 65,000 staff) leading a team of 11 overseeing all aspects of corporate communications and reputation management, including: transformation, M&A, change management, crisis communications, community engagement, CEO & brand positioning, corporate strategy & event management.
• Public affairs and communications for AMEC Foster Wheeler, GML (formerly Yukos Oil), Equinix, Sodexo, Vimpelcom, WorldVentures, Yum Foods, Mars, Qatari Diar, Various Gulf governments and a UN client, amongst others.
• Responsible for EMEA coordination of Equinix PR teams across 9 markets, focussing on corporate communications and positioning, M&A settlement, analyst relations and public affairs.
• Government relations and regulatory counsel and coordination for WorldVentures in 12 geographies.
• Corporate communications, public affairs, event management, corporate positioning, strategy development, media relations, CEO profiling, executive media training, stakeholder mapping, analyst relations and marketing material creation.
• Member of UK Management team and global energy practice. UK Government Affairs team lead.
• Completed a 9-month secondment within Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC - 65,000 staff) leading a team of 11 overseeing all aspects of corporate communications and reputation management, including: transformation, M&A, change management, crisis communications, community engagement, CEO & brand positioning, corporate strategy & event management.
• Public affairs and communications for AMEC Foster Wheeler, GML (formerly Yukos Oil), Equinix, Sodexo, Vimpelcom, WorldVentures, Yum Foods, Mars, Qatari Diar, Various Gulf governments and a UN client, amongst others.
• Responsible for EMEA coordination of Equinix PR teams across 9 markets, focussing on corporate communications and positioning, M&A settlement, analyst relations and public affairs.
• Government relations and regulatory counsel and coordination for WorldVentures in 12 geographies.
• Corporate communications, public affairs, event management, corporate positioning, strategy development, media relations, CEO profiling, executive media training, stakeholder mapping, analyst relations and marketing material creation.
Analyst, Energy, Energy, Regulatory, Community, Strategy development, Ceo, Development, Transformation, Marketing, Public affairs, M&A, Management, Pr, Event, Training, Change management
2009 - 2015
job
Director of Marketing & Communications of International Foundation
THE EUROPEAN AZERBAIJAN SOCIETY.
London, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, Istanbul, Baku
Director of Marketing & Communications of International Foundation promoting Azerbaijan April 2009 - August 2015
• Responsible for raising awareness of Azerbaijan as an investment destination and its energy offering (SOCAR) with international consortia (BP, Statoil, Total, Chevron) and investment opportunities amongst policy stakeholders in the EU and internationally.
• Coached, managed and led team of 15 reports across 6 markets. Set-up new offices in Brussels, Paris and Istanbul in current role while continuing to manage existing offices in UK, Berlin and Baku, in addition to freelancers and external agencies.
• Responsible across the organisation for campaign & office coordination, strategy development, event management, media relations, website & online presence, messaging, marketing collateral design, advertising and business membership
• Set-up of annual business forums in London, Paris, Brussels, & Maastricht (300+ attendees) plus trade/ political delegations to Azerbaijan to promote sector specific investment opportunities (energy, agriculture, ICT).
• Successful lobby of five nation states to amend stance on Karabakh conflict. Secured 300+ political endorsements for Azerbaijan.
• Created over 250+ positive media impressions for Azerbaijan despite a fiercely critical media and NGO environment.
• Secretariat to Westminster Azerbaijan APPG (increasing MP/Peer membership from 20 to 94 members).
• Set-up the Conservative Friends of Azerbaijan Group (30+ political sponsors) & European Parliament Azerbaijan Group (40+).
Director of Marketing & Communications of International Foundation promoting Azerbaijan April 2009 - August 2015
• Responsible for raising awareness of Azerbaijan as an investment destination and its energy offering (SOCAR) with international consortia (BP, Statoil, Total, Chevron) and investment opportunities amongst policy stakeholders in the EU and internationally.
• Coached, managed and led team of 15 reports across 6 markets. Set-up new offices in Brussels, Paris and Istanbul in current role while continuing to manage existing offices in UK, Berlin and Baku, in addition to freelancers and external agencies.
• Responsible across the organisation for campaign & office coordination, strategy development, event management, media relations, website & online presence, messaging, marketing collateral design, advertising and business membership
• Set-up of annual business forums in London, Paris, Brussels, & Maastricht (300+ attendees) plus trade/ political delegations to Azerbaijan to promote sector specific investment opportunities (energy, agriculture, ICT).
• Successful lobby of five nation states to amend stance on Karabakh conflict. Secured 300+ political endorsements for Azerbaijan.
• Created over 250+ positive media impressions for Azerbaijan despite a fiercely critical media and NGO environment.
• Secretariat to Westminster Azerbaijan APPG (increasing MP/Peer membership from 20 to 94 members).
• Set-up the Conservative Friends of Azerbaijan Group (30+ political sponsors) & European Parliament Azerbaijan Group (40+).
Office, LED, UP, Energy, Online, Energy, Campaign, International, Organization, Design, Strategy development, Development, Website, Management, Event, Advertising, Marketing
2009 - 2009
job
Project lead
ONE FINANCIAL (Financial Services).
• Project lead on IDP football campaign with Mo Farah & Tony Adams. Nominated for PR body 'PRCA 2013 New Media award'.
ONE FINANCIAL (Financial Services) London, UK
Freelance Communications Consultant for an online FX and commodities brokerage firm Jan-April 2009
• Interim position providing marketing & communications counsel to the Managing Director. Development and delivery of the communications strategy. Website design and online content delivery to support Middle East market launches.
• Development of product messaging, marketing collateral & brand positioning strategies for trade expo/conferences in UAE.
ONE FINANCIAL (Financial Services) London, UK
Freelance Communications Consultant for an online FX and commodities brokerage firm Jan-April 2009
• Interim position providing marketing & communications counsel to the Managing Director. Development and delivery of the communications strategy. Website design and online content delivery to support Middle East market launches.
• Development of product messaging, marketing collateral & brand positioning strategies for trade expo/conferences in UAE.
Design, Marketing, Pr, Content, Website, Support, Development, Campaign, Interim, Online
2007 - 2008
job
Trade Affairs Manager
SONY EUROPE (Electronics).
• Strategic counsel to Sony Europe's Business Groups and profit centres advising on EU trade compliance, customs regulation, export control and import duty management. Key focus on lobbying the EC and Member States to reduce Sony's EU duty liability of £65million on imported parts from Asian manufacturing bases. Liaison officer with tax, legal and logistics teams.
• Inaugural coordinator of Sony's European shipping operations' 'Import Working Group', leading to reduced shipping lead times and business costs, faster delivery of goods to market, across 29 European markets and multiple business groups.
• Managed & coordinated Sony's applications & appeals to customs authorities & responsible government departments on discriminatory trade policy & customs issues. Advised Business Groups on regulatory threats and company issue positions.
• Inaugural coordinator of Sony's European shipping operations' 'Import Working Group', leading to reduced shipping lead times and business costs, faster delivery of goods to market, across 29 European markets and multiple business groups.
• Managed & coordinated Sony's applications & appeals to customs authorities & responsible government departments on discriminatory trade policy & customs issues. Advised Business Groups on regulatory threats and company issue positions.
Management, Compliance, Coordinator, Shipping, Regulatory, Manager
2005 - 2007
job
Public Affairs Officer of Industrial Minerals
ANGLO AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL MINERALS (Mining).
arm of FTSE 100 Mining Corporation Sept 2005 - Sept 2007
• Led government relations, policy development, community engagement & communications with external stakeholders in the UK and EU. Developed & executed Tarmac's first-ever MP & key stakeholder contact programme.
• Led stakeholder & CSR programmes confirming Anglo American's commitment to the environment & local communities, resulting in 3 successful mineral planning applications, delivering a 45-year security of supply & licence to operate.
• Drafted Tarmac's first-ever sustainability policy. Delivered stakeholder engagement & media strategies aligned to corporate strategy, related to planning applications, site restoration schemes, health & safety & operational issues at a local & national level.
• Issues management matrix responsibility. Liaison between CEO, parent company, business heads & national trade associations.
• Led government relations, policy development, community engagement & communications with external stakeholders in the UK and EU. Developed & executed Tarmac's first-ever MP & key stakeholder contact programme.
• Led stakeholder & CSR programmes confirming Anglo American's commitment to the environment & local communities, resulting in 3 successful mineral planning applications, delivering a 45-year security of supply & licence to operate.
• Drafted Tarmac's first-ever sustainability policy. Delivered stakeholder engagement & media strategies aligned to corporate strategy, related to planning applications, site restoration schemes, health & safety & operational issues at a local & national level.
• Issues management matrix responsibility. Liaison between CEO, parent company, business heads & national trade associations.
Sustainability, CSR, Management, Security, Public affairs, Development, Ceo, Health, Community, Safety, LED
2003 - 2005
job
Senior Account Executive
EDELMAN (Communications).
at world's largest independent PR firm, corporate communications Aug 2003 - Sept 2005
• Successfully promoted introduction of new CEO and derivatives trading platform for leading exchange Euronext in five EU markets.
• Set-up and managed first pan-European communications network and strategy for parcel express company GeoPost, via a network of nine independent cross-border agencies.
• Appointed by UPS (Netherlands) as national media spokesperson and PR campaign lead.
• Corporate positioning & reputation management, media relations, crisis simulation, exec media training, internal communications & marketing collateral creation for: Shell, BT, Cisco, Microsoft, Canon, DHL, FedEx, Philips, Chiquita, Inbev & SPAR.
• Successfully promoted introduction of new CEO and derivatives trading platform for leading exchange Euronext in five EU markets.
• Set-up and managed first pan-European communications network and strategy for parcel express company GeoPost, via a network of nine independent cross-border agencies.
• Appointed by UPS (Netherlands) as national media spokesperson and PR campaign lead.
• Corporate positioning & reputation management, media relations, crisis simulation, exec media training, internal communications & marketing collateral creation for: Shell, BT, Cisco, Microsoft, Canon, DHL, FedEx, Philips, Chiquita, Inbev & SPAR.
Marketing, Training, Exchange, Cisco, Pr, Management, Network, Ceo, Express, Campaign, UP
2002 - 2003
job
Client Executive
BURSON MARSTELLER (Communications).
at a world leading PR firm, focussing on public affairs & communications June 2002 - July 2003
• Public Affairs and communications for the Business Software Alliance (client contact), Heineken, Philip Morris, Air Products, Royal Numico, Unilever & Poseidon. Campaigns directed at Dutch government, media and the European Commission.
• Public Affairs and communications for the Business Software Alliance (client contact), Heineken, Philip Morris, Air Products, Royal Numico, Unilever & Poseidon. Campaigns directed at Dutch government, media and the European Commission.
Pr, Public affairs, Software
My education
1992
-
1996
Sir Roger Manwoods
Secondary, GCSEs and A Levels
Secondary, GCSEs and A Levels
Brunel University
BSc, Politics & Modern History
BSc, Politics & Modern History
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