David Bishop Email & Phone Number

United Arab Emirates

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

World class government needs world class communications delivered by world class communications teams. We help governments develop to deliver effective communications at mission critical moments.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Selected to lead strategic communications for Expo, developing and delivering a communications strategy that achieved global awareness in 80 target markets. Safeguarded the reputation of the event and the host country and supported business goals, against a backdrop of low local and international visibility for Expo.• Worked with Expo C-level executives to develop a data-driven Strategic Communications plan to reshape perceptions of Dubai and the UAE, working with bespoke opinion research to identify key audience perceptions and drivers of favourability; • Transformed the communications team, growing from 2 to 45 people, supported by global PR agencies, and putting in place best practice on policies and procedures, responsible for a budget of USD 15 million annually;• Launched Expo’s Global Optimism Outlook Survey, a targeted effort to drive awareness through global earned media, resulting in a 200% increase in coverage of Expo compared with a year previously (PRCA MENA Awards 2020 Best PR Campaign – highly commended); • Oversaw global media relations, including visits to Expo 2020 by the editor of Mail Online, media briefings in New York and Washington DC, and hosting over 300 international media from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America at Expo’s global media briefing; • Coordinated the planning and execution of a crisis communications plan for the announcement of Israel’s participation in Expo 2020, including giving an unprecedented on-record interview with Israeli media; • Led planning and execution of the announcement that Expo 2020 Dubai would be postponed, including internal and stakeholder communications and global media relations for the announcement, dealing with AP, Reuters, AFP, Bloomberg and others;• Led a rapidly planned and executed media campaign to secure Latvia’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai (Baltic Communications Awards 2020 – crisis communications category).

Dubai

Head-hunted to join the Expo 2020 Dubai team shortly after winning the bid to host the World Expo, to develop a communications strategy and form part of a wider team. Over this period the organisation of Expo 2020 Dubai was revamped as three previously separate bodies were merged, resulting in changes to staff and decision making structure.• Safeguarded millions of dollars in commercial sponsorship of Expo by successfully managing the event’s reputation, developing a strategy to handle potential criticism on worker welfare, resulting in limited neutral to favourable coverage for Expo on the issue;• Led two agencies and a small internal team to plan and execute an integrated marketing and communications strategy for the launch of the Expo 2020 Dubai brand;• Managed Expo’s relationships with UAE and international stakeholders, including governments taking part in Expo 2020, and the companies sponsoring the event, such as PepsiCo, Emirates Airline, Mastercard, UPS, Nissan and others.

London, United Kingdom

Promoted by the Chairman and Chief Executive to work with the Board and directors to manage VisitBritain’s strategy and business planning, to reshape the business in order to deliver the Britain Tourism Strategy 2012-20, continuing to integrate with the cross-government GREAT Britain campaign, and positioning VisitBritain for forthcoming spending reviews by demonstrating effectiveness. • Developed and delivered a strategic communications plan to raise profile of tourism, including media, public affairs and stakeholder engagement, working alongside ministers, and tourism industry C-level executives; • Redeveloped VisitBritain’s strategy, and business plan, managing senior stakeholders including the Chairman, board, chief executive and finance director to realign resources with objectives across the building, achieving cost savings and increasing effectiveness in marketing activities by prioritising digital over traditional activities;• Part of the cross government team working with 10 Downing Street on developing the GREAT campaign’s brand strategy and tourism PR plans.

Appointed shortly after the 2010 General Election, with a remit to secure VisitBritain’s position (the government threatened a ‘bonfire of the quangos’), to enhance the global competitiveness of UK tourism, and to raise the industry’s profile at home. • Authored VisitBritain’s UK tourism strategy to 2020, working with a wide range of industry stakeholders to develop analysis and identify priorities;• Worked with UK tourism minister, and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to shape priorities for the UK government’s tourism policy ahead of London 2012; • Developed a cross-sectoral coalition to change government policy on visas for Chinese tourists, coordinating media and public affairs campaigning, resulting in significant increases in visits to the UK.

Leading communications, policy and public affairs for the UK’s airport trade body. • Led airport sector media relations and briefing during the 2010 European and UK airspace closure due to the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption and ash cloud;• Developed and coordinated a campaign to prevent government-proposed changes to Air Passenger Duty through a combination of media activity and briefings to policy makers and politicians;• Worked with the then-Opposition party to develop a new approach to aviation security policy, which came into force following the 2010 General Election.

London, England, United Kingdom

Combined lobbyist, researcher, policy officer and administrator roles to represent the interests of some eighty ports around Britain to UK, devolved and European governments.

Leading Professional Services Firms, Business Strategy, Reputation, Client Experience & Organisational Effectiveness

Orchestrating competitive advantage; Delivering outstanding client-centric services; Growing reputation through compelling communication.

Ba (Hons), Modern History

Activities and Societies: Oxford University Royal Naval Unit, college rugby and hockey.

A-Levels, History, Government And Politics, Physics