Strategic Communications

Providing unparalleled expertise in crafting winning communications campaigns

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crafting compelling narratives

Drawing on our team’s deep experience in print, broadcast and online we help our clients develop a strategic frame while curating trusted media relationships to help achieve a clear set of communications objectives.

Trusted support

Our communications team is drawn from the world of current affairs and business media.

Drawing on our team’s deep experience in print, broadcast and online, we help our clients develop a strategic frame while curating trusted media relationships to help achieve a clear set of communications objectives.

Whether it be crisis comms, reputation management, narrative development, or stakeholder engagement we provide support to trusted corporate and charity clients in the UK and across the world.

Arden also offers bespoke media training to c-suite executives whether in advance of annual results or in response to an impending crisis. Our trainers have decades of combined experience working in and appearing on the media. We combine practical exercises and skill development with insight and intelligence, guaranteeing that our clients are equipped and confident in preparation for their media engagements.

OUR SERVICES

Our communications team

Shelley McNicol
Chief Operating Officer

Shelley is a senior strategic communications professional and trusted advisor with substantial international experience acquired working across five continents. She has provided strategic communications advice to several large and high-profile corporates and was previously the Strategic Communications Director for an international membership organisation. Across her career, Shelley has worked in multiple sectors including health, energy, indemnity, insurance, professional services, FMCG and music.

Blair McDougall
Senior Strategist

Blair is one of Labour’s sharpest strategists and has served as a Senior Special Adviser in five UK government departments in the previous Labour governments. A former member of Labour’s National Executive Committee he was also an adviser to the Chair of the Labour Party. Blair was the Chief Executive of the winning anti-independence campaign in Scotland. He has worked for Tony Blair’s Africa Governance Institute. Blair provides highly valued senior counsel to Arden’s clients on their strategy and communications.

John Arnold
Associate Director

John has over 20 years experience in public affairs and has provided support to over 80 international blue chip companies, trade bodies, interest groups and local authorities including UKPowerNetworks, EE, VM02, Betfred, VirginAtlantic, the Housebuilders Federation, IBM, INEOS, and the UK Fashion Industry. John was the political advisor to the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, before joining the Local Government International Bureau where he was head of the international section. He is currently a Trustee of the Manchester United Foundation, the club's charity.

Kieran Simpson
Associate Director

Kieran worked for Labour’s economic team under Gordon Brown, and has served as a Special Adviser in three government departments. He has extensive knowledge of Whitehall’s interactions with business and trade bodies. Kieran has built a career as a leading communications and strategic adviser helping clients build their corporate reputations.
His knowledge extends across a range of sectors including the food & drink, agriculture, energy and health.

George McGregor
Director of Projects

George was a Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Scotland in the last Labour Government and is a former member of the Labour Party National Policy Forum. He worked for almost two decades in public affairs providing senior counsel to many of the country's leading companies, delivering government relations strategies and campaigns to help them achieve their objectives. George's work has won him an array of awards including Best Public Affairs Campaign of the Year.

Toni Sword
Director of Digital

Toni has a wealth of experience in digital campaigning and communications. She previously led the Labour Party’s digital and social media activity in Scotland, and has brought her knowledge and understanding to successful political campaigns around the world. Toni has worked with senior political figures, including former PM Gordon Brown, and many high-profile companies, delivering innovative and creative campaigns to help them achieve their objectives.

Alec James
Account Director

Alec has worked with and for some of the most senior figures in the Labour Party including the then Deputy Leader, Tom Watson. He also worked at the heart of Labour’s HQ in the General Secretary’s office giving him a ring-side seat on all major developments in Labour politics in recent years.
Alec has policy expertise in energy, finance and technology policy.

Shonagh Munro
Account Director

Shonagh is an experienced Labour adviser. Across the past six years she has worked with Labour politicians in the House of Commons and the Scottish Parliament as well as working at the Tony Blair Institute. Shonagh is networked across the Labour Party, particularly in Scotland where she led the office of Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader. At Arden her policy specialisms include health, defence and technology.