I am a highly experienced communications and public affairs professional with a 40-year career that has encompassed public and private sector roles both in the UK and overseas. I have worked extensively in the energy industry, primarily in the international oil and gas sector, leading teams and advising senior management up to board level, as well as acting as an external spokesperson and representative in trade and government related bodies.I am currently working on a freelance basis, working remotely from my base in the Scottish Borders. Recent assignments have involved creating and curating content for the websites of newly listed companies and for corporate brochures and annual reports for clients in the energy and banking sectors. As well as additional freelance projects, I am open to remote, contract or interim communications related opportunities. My most recent full-time role was heading communications for the petroleum and petrochemicals platform of Mubadala Investment Company, supporting directly the CEO responsible for a portfolio valued at over $40 billion and engaged in managing communications for two of the company’s largest ever transactions netting Mubadala in excess of $7billion. I was also responsible for maintaining strong relationships with the senior communicators in each of the asset companies, ensuring alignment of external communications programs and advising on major reputational issues impacting Mubadala as a shareholder. At Mubadala, I sat on the leadership teams for both the Petroleum & Petrochemicals platform and the company’s award winning communications function.Previously, as head of communications for Mubadala Petroleum, I headed an international communications function serving a substantial operating business spanning 12 countries across the Middle East and SE Asia, advising and managing on the full range of external communications and stakeholder relations activities.I joined Mubadala in Abu Dhabi after almost 20 years with the Hess Corporation, where he held increasingly senior positions in public affairs and communications roles, and 10 years working in the UK government service where I headed the private office of two Ministers of State for Energy. It was in this initial phase of my career that I laid the foundations of the strong diplomatic skills and well-rounded communications capabilities that have become my hallmark.