Rob Simpson Email & Phone Number

Responsible for creating and delivering strategic decarbonisation communications to Tata Steel UK’s external and internal stakeholders. Co-ordinating communications to all stakeholders about the company’s transformation – from the UK's largest single carbon emitter to a global leader in green steel making.

One of Europe’s largest steel producers with 21,000 employees and sales of $10 billion. Major steelmaking plants in the UK and Netherlands, and manufacturing plants across Europe and in North America. Part of the Tata Steel group, which employs 74,000 people around the world with sales of $22 billion.Responsible for the company’s European media relations team and UK public affairs. Before the company was restructured in 2021, I was Acting Director of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs. Led the company’s External Relations centre of expertise – a team of 12 European colleagues covering media relations, public affairs, marketing comms and community relations.Prepared and delivered high-level strategic communications advice to the group and European CEOs and senior directors. Managed business-critical issues and events, such as major strategic announcements and financial results, in close alignment with investor relations colleagues. Responsible for managing three PR agencies – in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.

London, United Kingdom

Developed and managed the media strategy for Tata Steel’s European operations, as well as advising and guiding the CEO and other senior directors. Responsible for developing relationships with key opinion formers among international and national media, including in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.Crisis and change management – protected the company’s reputation during a period of unprecedented change, with plant closures and thousands of job losses in the UK, while maintaining public and political support for the company.

North Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Developed and implemented media, public affairs and community strategy for Tata Steel’s operations in England, Scotland and France (c.10,000 employees).Transformed the business’s relationship with the media and other stakeholders – moving from distrust and negativity to a relationship built on mutual understanding and trust. Led an external stakeholder engagement programme, which included Government ministers, MPs, MEPs and local authorities.Developed and implemented a programme which improved local communities, engaged employees and supported the Group’s CSR strategy. Managed a successful works tour programme with thousands of visitors annually.

Thames Valley, United Kingdom, And Munich, Germany

Promoted and protected Siemens’ reputation and brand in the UK, which included dealing regularly with share-sensitive issues. Siemens employed 20,000 people in 2007 in the UK, with £3.5 billion sales. Globally, Siemens employed 500,000 people in 190 countries with sales of £59 billion.Developed strong links with national journalists across a number of sectors, including business, telecoms, IT, health, science and industry. Secured significant and positive national media coverage in the UK, such as for innovation and sponsorship campaigns, including with The Times, BBC Breakfast and BBC News at Ten. Worked on global projects during secondment to Siemens’ international HQ in Munich.

York, United Kingdom

External and internal communications for a national lobbying organisation which represents UK farmers and growers. Responsible for media relations, public affairs and editing a magazine for 12,000 members in Yorkshire and North East of England.Represented an industry during one of its most high-profile periods. Helped co-ordinate communications during the UK’s foot-and-mouth disease crisis in 2001 which delayed the UK's national election. Regularly acted as a spokesman on national and regional TV and radio, included the BBC’s Today and News at Ten programmes.

Hull, United Kingdom

Trained at one of the UK's leading UK regional newspapers, the Hull Daily Mail which sold 90,000 copies in 1997, before qualifying as a senior news reporter.

Transition To Senior Leadership Programme

Coaching And Mentoring

Financial Markets And Investor Relations

Professional Qualification, Journalism

Passed professional exams to become senior news reporter.

Nctj Newspaper Journalism

Stradbroke College of Journalism

Ba (Hons) English

Erasmus Programme