Hilary Baker Email & Phone Number

Kuwait

Vice President, Corporate Communications at Alshaya Group, a Kuwait-based retail franchise business representing 70+ brands (such as Starbucks, H&M and Boots) and operating 4,000+ stores, cafes and restaurants in MENA, Turkey and Europe, as well as a large online business. A trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Chairman and proud to be a member of the leadership community. Led the comms function for 12+ years, with accountability for shaping Alshaya’s narrative internally and externally throughout periods rapid growth and expansion, economic slowdown, strategic change, the pandemic and digital transformation.

The Office of the Brand was created to provide the Emirate of Abu Dhabi with a framework for developing its reputation and protecting its cultural identity. I successfully developed a strategic plan for OBAD to support its transition into a stand-alone government office and to provide it with the necessary focus and direction for its next stage of development, as well as building OBAD’s links with key stakeholders.

A major change management role with one of the UK's leading own-label and branded food manufacturers. A member of the senior management team, I was responsible for establishing and providing leadership on all corporate communications to employees, shareholders, opinion formers and the media.

Managed communications programmes for range of clients and businesses including Ernst & Young Financial Services, Malmaison Hotels and Hertz.

Transferred out of previous role at TrizecHahn Europe into a three-way joint venture (JV), focused on developing the world’s largest data centre business (3.2 million ft2 across Europe and Asia Pacific). Led global communications for the business.

Led communications across seven countries for this pan-European retail-entertainment venture.

United Kingdom

Moved client-side to lead the communications function for Hilton International Ltd, the global hotel chain (20,000 people, 200 hotels, 55 countries), then a subsidiary of Ladbroke Group plc. Highlights included the creation of the group's first global comms team and masterminding the launch of Hilton's new brand identity and loyalty programme.

Consultancy work for a range of clients including American Express (Card, Establishment Services, Travel), the BT Global Challenge, Battersea Power Station and the Paper Federation of Great Britain.

Consultancy work for a range of clients including Heinz, Guinness, Highland Spring, Pizza Hut, Quebec Tourism, Canadian Airlines and Icelandair.

Consultancy work for a range of clients including Aberdeen Cable, British Alcan, British Rail, Budget Rent a Car and Grolsch