Washington | Propelled by stunning political wins for Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson this year, Sir Lynton Crosby’s US office has been quietly ramping up its operations ahead of the blockbuster 2020 presidential campaign.
Monthly Archives
December 2019
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Leonor Díaz-Córdova
Leonor is an international dispute resolution specialist. Prior to joining C|T Group, she has worked in the arbitration field in London, Geneva, New York and Madrid, including at the London Court of International Arbitration and with renowned arbitrator Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler. She has worked on a wide range of arbitrations and mediations in Continental Europe, Africa and North, Central and South America focusing on infrastructure, energy, shipping and commodities in both investor-State disputes and international commercial disputes.
Leonor has a double degree in Law and Political Science from Universidad Autonóma de Madrid (Spain) and an LLM from Columbia University School of Law. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and fluent in French.
Angus Champion de Crespigny
Angus joined C|T Group in April 2019 to oversee the Group’s digital, technology and cybersecurity services both internally as the Chief Information Officer, and to C|T Group’s clients globally.
Prior to joining C|T Group, Angus spent 10 years at Ernst & Young where he worked across multiple domains including innovation, strategy, cybersecurity, compliance and operations improvement. In 2015 he founded EY’s Financial Services Blockchain practice, and led the group for over three years, becoming a leading industry figure in responsible innovation.
Angus has worked with the C-suite representatives of various major corporations and multi-national organisations, and has significant experience working with American and Australian policy makers and regulators.
Julian Heath
Julian Heath is Managing Director of C|T Solutions Australasia (CT SA). Before joining CT SA, Julian was a Senior Partner and Chief Operating Officer with the professional services firm – Control Risks. Prior to this, Julian had a 24-year career in the Australian Defence Force, where he gained extensive experience in the management of complex problems, including working with the United Nations in the Middle East and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Europe, principally in the areas of peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance.
During his career in the private sector, Julian has been instrumental in developing global packages on business contingency and crisis management. He extensive experience supporting clients: manage pandemics; respond to major incidents (including, terrorism attacks, cyber extortion and data theft, significant fraud, illegal detention and kidnap for ransom); investigate counterfeit and product tampering; respond to corruption and fraudulent practices; and manage major cross-border investigations. Julian has post graduate qualifications in management, and defence studies, and qualifications in risk management, fraud prevention, detection and investigation, vocational education and training; and has attended advanced management programmes at Harvard Business School
Sian Hansen
Sian Hansen was appointed Chief Operating Officer of C|T Group in November 2019. Over a 35 year career, she has held senior positions in global finance and policy development companies and institutions. From 2013-2016, Sian was Executive Director of the Legatum Institute, a global public policy think tank dedicated to promoting prosperity through individual liberty, free enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Previously, she spent seven years as Managing Director of the UK think tank Policy Exchange, an educational charity promoting research and discourse on public policy. She also has a number of director level and advisory roles including as a Non-Executive Director of JP Morgan Multi-Asset Trust PLC, a Non-Executive Director of Pacific Assets Trust and a Trustee of the Almeida Theatre. She sits on the Advisory Board for Cerno Capital PLC and EBF International (Shanghai) Ltd. Early in her career, Sian was a Director and Co-Head of Sales for Asian Equities at Société Générale and before that was an equity analyst with Enskilda Securities in Europe.
Mark Fullbrook
Mark Fullbrook is a Partner and Chief Global Projects Officer of C|T Group, the UK’s leading campaigns consultancy.
Mark is acknowledged as an expert campaigner and strategist by figures as diverse as Speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble, and Boris Johnson, all of whom he has advised. In June and July 2019 Mark was Director of the Boris Johnson campaign that resulted in Boris becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Mark specialises in crisis management, grassroots organising, and targeted, research-driven campaigns. With 25 years’ experience under his belt, he has delivered success for commercial and political clients in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and across the Americas.
A former Head of Campaigning for the UK Conservative Party, Mark helped to devise and run the target seats campaign that saw the Conservatives defy the pollsters and win the 1992 General Election with more votes than any UK political party has ever received. He later set up and ran PLS, the UK’s premier Conservative political consultancy.
In 2010 he joined forces with Sir Lynton Crosby and Mark Textor, applying his skills and expertise to a vast array of challenges on behalf of blue chip companies, governments and political parties around the world.
Robert Champion de Crespigny AC
C|T Group Chairman Robert Champion de Crespigny is an Australian businessman resident in Australia. He has chaired the Group since its formation in 2002.
A Chartered Accountant by training, Robert was a partner of KMG Hungerford (a predecessor firm of KPMG) in Perth, before moving into the mining sector with the formation of Normandy Mining Limited. As founder and Executive Chairman of Normandy Mining, he took a A$2 million exploration company and spent the next two decades building it into a substantial international mining company.
Robert is a strong advocate for Australian business and the resources industry more widely, having sat on the World Gold Council, the Minerals Council of Australia and the Business Council of Australia. For four years from 2002 he headed, as its inaugural chairman, the South Australian Government’s Economic Development Board and also sat on its Executive Committee of Cabinet.
Alongside his business activities, Robert has supported a number of prominent cultural and educational institutions in Australia and the UK including serving as Chancellor of The University of Adelaide, chairing the South Australian Museum and serving as a member of the likes of the Aboriginal Reconciliation Council of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia Council, the Commonwealth Expert Group on Democracy and Development and the Development Board of Oxford University’s Said Business School.
In 2002 Robert was honoured for his services to mining and education by being made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), Australia’s highest honour. He was further recognised for his contribution to mining by having a rare earth mineral – Decrespignyite-(Y) – named after him.
Sir Lynton Crosby AO
Sir Lynton’s intuitive sense of delivering results has been finely honed through years of providing high-level advice to prime ministers, premiers, opposition leaders and leaders of business.
In 1998 and 2001, Sir Lynton successfully pioneered the campaign for Australian Prime Minister John Howard. In the 2008 London Mayoral elections, Sir Lynton masterminded the campaign that saw Boris Johnson beat the Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone against the odds. In 2012 he repeated this success for Boris Johnson, bucking the Conservative Party’s national trend and securing him a further term.
In the 2015 UK General Election, Sir Lynton steered the Conservative Party to a historic victory. He took the party from a 12 point deficit, to a near 7 point lead – returning, for the first time since 1955, a Conservative Government with an increased share of the vote.
This earned him a Campaign Excellence Award from the American Association of Political Consultants, which recognised him as Campaign Manager of the Year for the 2015 cycle.
Drawing on skills and experience acquired over a lifetime of political campaigning, Sir Lynton has also advised some of the world’s most well-known businesses, ensuring they are armed with the right research, message and strategy with which to achieve their goals.
Gavin Stollar
Gavin Stollar is a leading strategist and adviser in real estate, development and infrastructure. He has devised and delivered winning political, corporate and community campaigns and strategies for institutional, public, private and FTSE 250 developer and investor clients, in London, throughout the UK, Europe and North America.
Gavin has advised on a wide range of projects, from major infrastructure, retail, waste and minerals to mainstream residential development, commercial and mixed-use schemes. With extensive experience in managing projects from inception through to consent, he is often brought in by some of the country’s leading lawyers, planners and barristers to ‘fire fight’ or ‘shore up’ projects.
Having served as an elected parish and district councillor and as a former advisor to the Liberal Democrat leadership, Gavin also draws on extensive political experience to help his clients, whether they be private or public understand, interpret and deliver on their strategic objectives.
Mark Textor
Mark “Tex” Textor’s record of success speaks for itself. Best known for his strategic insights, he has held the unique position of being the pollster and electoral strategist behind the election victories for seven Commonwealth Prime Ministers over scores of elections.
Described by Channel 4 in the UK as “one of the most influential political strategists and pollsters to walk the planet”, and in Australia as “… A genius at transforming raw research into compelling communication”. Former London Mayor and now Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who has sought Tex’s counsel on two successful campaigns, confirmed this view; describing Tex as the “sorcerer of numbers”.
The Australian Financial Review 2016 Covert Power List said of Tex: “his significance cannot ever be underrated, either his influence on the shaping of a political environment, or the advice he gives to corporates and other interested parties who seek his advice”.
The hundreds of political and commercial campaigns Mark has masterminded have honed a unique ability to persuade diverse boards and managerial teams together towards a common purpose with his acclaimed ability to get all to focus on core messages, core competencies and core values.
Prior to founding C|T Group, Tex was Australasian Managing Director and one of the three founding Asia-Pacific team leaders of Wirthlin Worldwide, a USD$60+ million dollar market research and consulting firm, helping to establish offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Canberra and Sydney. Mark was mentored by it’s founder, President Ronald Reagan’s pre-eminent Pollster, Richard B. Wirthlin.
Mark Textor
Mark “Tex” Textor’s record of success speaks for itself. Best known for his strategic insights, he has held the unique position of being the pollster and electoral strategist behind the election victories for seven Commonwealth prime ministers over scores of elections.
Described by Channel 4 in the UK as “one of the most influential political strategists and pollsters to walk the planet”, and in Australia as “… a genius at transforming raw research into compelling communication”. Former London mayor and now Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who has sought Tex’s counsel on two successful campaigns, confirmed this view; describing Tex as the “sorcerer of numbers”.
The Australian Financial Review 2016 Covert Power List said of Tex: “his significance cannot ever be underrated, either his influence on the shaping of a political environment, or the advice he gives to corporates and other interested parties who seek his advice”. The hundreds of political and commercial campaigns Mark has masterminded have honed a unique ability to persuade diverse boards and managerial teams together towards a common purpose with his acclaimed ability to get all to focus on core messages, core competencies and core values.
Prior to founding C|T Group, Tex was Australasian Managing Director and one of the three founding Asia-Pacific team leaders of Wirthlin Worldwide, a $60+ million dollar market research and consulting firm, helping to establish offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Canberra and Sydney. Mark was mentored by its founder, President Ronald Reagan’s pre-eminent pollster, Richard B. Wirthlin.
Andrew Whitford
Andrew joined the C|T Group in 2019, to establish and lead the Group’s business in Asia based out of Hong Kong. He has a deep knowledge, passion and understanding of Asia and in particular Greater China, coupled with strong financial services, regulatory, compliance and governance experience gained from a thirty-year banking and professional services career.
Andrew is an experienced senior executive having worked in senior banking roles in Australia, United Kingdom, Mainland China and Hong Kong across both product, coverage and senior management roles.
More recently he was the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong business of Westpac Banking Corporation and its Regional Head of Greater China. Prior to this role he was based in Shanghai for four years where he established the Westpac business in mainland China.
Samuel Paske
Samuel is the Chief Operations Director of EMRS, the Group’s fieldwork agency in Australia. He joined EMRS in 2005 and has over 15 years of knowledge and experience in research design and the extraction and delivery of quality data.
Samuel’s primary focus is in growing the EMRS business nationally and internationally and leading his team in continuing to look for new and exciting opportunities first class research results for our clients.
Michael Priebe
Michael Priebe has extensive experience in the government, business and finance sectors across a number of countries and is well placed to create and shape commercial strategies in heavily regulated sectors.
Prior to joining the Group, Michael was the Managing Partner of Statecraft, a Sydney-based advisory firm he founded, specialising in public affairs and corporate advisory services.
Michael previously held senior advisory roles in the Howard Government and has worked in Asia and North America on complex cross-border projects and transactions.
Remo Nogarotto
Remo Nogarotto joined the C|T Group in 2011 following five years acting as Senior Advisor (Southern Europe) for Macquarie Capital, based in Rome. He also served during that time on Macquarie Capital’s European Advisory Board.
He is the former Director of the New South Wales Liberal Party and has also held senior roles in the Australian corporate sector. It is this unique blend of business, investment banking and political experience that Remo offers to C|T clients, both in Australia and Europe.
Remo’s ability to understand what government wants to achieve from transactions and dealings with the private sector means he is able to guide companies on how to “position” public bids or construct an unsolicited offer that is in alignment with government policy and vision.
Remo’s experience in cross border transactions in Australia and Europe and more recently China and the UAE means he is also able to advise companies looking to transplant capability and capital into foreign markets with specialist advice on the political, cultural and regulatory risks associated with those markets.
Damian McMeekin
Damian McMeekin is the Managing Director of C|T Intelligence and Insight, which provides business intelligence, due diligence, litigation support and issues resolution services to companies and entities requiring deep levels of actionable information and insight.
In working closely with the London based C|T|F Solutions team, Damian deepens the Australasian and Asia Pacific expertise of the Group’s global business intelligence services.
Damian was formerly the global head of security at ANZ and prior to that managed international security, political and economic affairs at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
Sam Lyon
Sam Lyon is a communications strategist and former journalist with over a decade’s experience, advising governments and business leaders at the highest levels. Sam has devised and implemented communications strategies, campaigns and crisis management in the UK and abroad.
Sam provides senior counsel and advises on strategic and crisis communications, messaging, day-to-day media handling and media training – drawing on his vast experience as a Fleet Street journalist.
Sam joined C|T|F Partners as senior director in 2012. Prior to C|T|F Partners he worked at City Hall as Director of Communications and official spokesman to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Sam managed all the Mayor’s external affairs during the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Previous to this Sam was Media Director, spokesman and senior campaign advisor to Boris Johnson during his successful 2012 Mayoral campaign.
Atul Jhamb
Atul is an accomplished venture investor, company advisor & entrepreneur with a corporate career spanning over 34 years across blue-chip multinational and Indian conglomerates straddling FMCG, Telecommunications & Technology, Media, Financial and Business Services including Logistics, Consulting & Infrastructure. He has held leadership positions with organisations such as Hindustan Unilever, American Express, Hutchison Max Telecom (now Vodafone), Bharti Airtel, Reliance, Arthur D. Little and Etisalat.
As Chief Executive at Bharti Airtel, Reliance and Etisalat, Atul has been at the forefront of leading both greenfield operations and complex turnaround situations within India, as well as other global markets. Atul’s forte has been to create stakeholder value by leading and directing organisations through substantial growth and transformation by balancing engagement and execution with strong and effective strategic leadership.
As a successful entrepreneur, Atul advises companies across geographies and sectors including New Mobility, Telecom, Digital Infrastructure, Media & Technology, Financial Services and M&A. He has helped both established brands & start-ups develop, launch & grow, reach customers and partners & build capabilities that ensure long-term success.
Atul has successfully built relationships with key individuals at the highest levels globally within Governments, financial institutions and other public and private sector organisations. He has been part of the India Speakers Bureau and has been a regular contributor at global telecom conferences.
Larry Grossman
Larry has 30 years of communications and business experience advising some of the biggest multi-nationals across a range of sectors including aerospace and defence, energy, transportation, tax and trade, mergers and acquisitions, litigation support and due diligence.
Previously running his own public affairs company, Larry has also managed government relations activities for foreign governments, not-for-profits and many other entities – and has overseen global campaigns utilising all the available tools: polling, message development, media relations, issue advertising, third-party advocacy development and grassroots outreach.
Catherine Douglas
Catherine is Managing Director of C|T Group’s Australian research and campaigns business, C|T Research Strategies Results (C|T RSR), where she was formerly a researcher and consultant.
Prior to joining C|T Group, Catherine was based in New York where she was Senior Vice President at Teneo Strategy. She also worked with Ketchum in the firm’s corporate practice. Earlier in her career, Catherine worked in corporate affairs for FOXTEL, and for Andersen as a business consultant.
Catherine has a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Sydney, and a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide.
Mark Domitrak
For over 20 years Mark has provided senior research counsel and direction on issue management and engagement. He has designed and lead targeted national and international campaigns across the corporate, political and industry body sectors, both in-house and as a senior consultant.
Mark’s campaign experience ranges from political parties, to regulatory and reputational campaigns in the tourism, alcohol, agriculture, transport, banking, pharmacy, FMCG and international trade sectors; and includes countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Canada, Jamaica, the UK and Ireland, as well as targeted campaigns in Geneva and Brussels.
Mark previously held senior global positions at a FTSE top 100 company’s international headquarters. His previous roles include Crosby|Textor’s Australasian’s business, NRMA – Australia’s largest membership mutual, and the Liberal Party of Australia.
Eoin Dardis
Eoin has worked in public affairs and external relations for over twenty-years. With experience developed working in private, public and not-for-profit organisations in London, Dublin and Brussels, Eoin brings significant national and international experience of government affairs, public policy and strategic communications and advocacy as well as commercial experience.
His expertise in drawn from working in a wide range of highly regulated sectors including FMCG, pharmaceutical, retail, infrastructure and utilities, transport and planning as well as local government. Prior to joining the C|T Group, Eoin held Director level in-house roles in global corporates operating in the UK and Ireland as well as in consultancy roles, including as at a law firm specialising in public policy.
Eugene Curley CMG OBE
Eugene Curley joined the Group in 2014, having been a Senior Director for 25 years at the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. From 2011 to 2014, he was CEO of G3, a leading UK based global business intelligence, risk advisory, litigation support and information security consultancy.
Eugene has a record of delivery in international operations and negotiations at Ministerial and Head of State level across the globe – having led operations for the British Government in over 70 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the United States and Latin America. Eugene’s broad experience covers political and geo-strategic issues, conflict resolution, international finance including sanctions, intelligence and counter-terrorism – and his specialist advice is now invaluable for leading figures in all business sectors and services across the world.
Eugene’s understanding of how to operate and act decisively in complex political, security, cultural and business environments – with the judgment to gauge difficult situations accurately, and keep cool under pressure – provides consummate assistance to our global clients. These skills are combined with detailed economic and markets’ experience gained from his time working at the Bank of England early in his career. Eugene speaks fluent French and Spanish.
James North
James is responsible for international client engagement and business development, working across the Group to identify and develop new opportunities.
Immediately prior to this role, James worked as International Engagement Director for Santander UK’s Corporate and Commercial Bank. He was responsible for liaison with external figures and organisations from government, politics, diplomacy, commerce, industry and business, and helped develop Santander’s unique international proposition globally.
From 2008 to 2017 James worked as the Senior Programme Manager to the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the dedicated ambassador for the promotion of the financial, professional, legal and business services industry of the UK. This involved managing incoming delegations (including Heads of State and Government), and undertaking the planning and execution of multiple overseas visits undertaken by the Lord Mayor.
James previously worked as the Chief of Staff to the Leader of Birmingham City Council (2005-7) and as a Policy Advisor to the Conservative Party (2003-5). He has experience of the London Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, the Parliament of New Zealand and the Federal Parliament of Australia, having been previously employed by these institutions.
David Bell
David leads the Group’s strategy and business development and planning in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. He is also Executive Chairman of the Group’s Australian due diligence business, C|T Intelligence & Insight.
David previously spent a decade as CEO of the Australian Bankers’ Association, a role which saw him at the centre of efforts to steer Australia’s banking sector during the Global Financial Crisis. He has also managed corporate affairs with Westpac, IAG and Telstra, and has held senior roles at Ogilvy, and with the New South Wales Government. He on the Medical Council of NSW.
David has worked with Anderson Consulting (now Accenture), and started his career as an infantry officer in the Australian Army. Most recently, David was CEO of the Actuaries Institute, the professional body representing Australia’s actuarial profession.
David brings immense financial, regulatory and communications experience to bear on the C|T Group’s work, with an understanding of the Australian professional environment that is second to none.
David Anderson
David Anderson is the C|T Group’s Chief Financial Officer, and is responsible for the Group’s external financial reporting, taxation and regulatory compliance.
An experienced finance director, David’s career has seen him specialise in helping highly entrepreneurial companies achieve growth and realise value.
Prior to joining C|T, David was UK Finance Director for international restaurant group Hakkasan, where he oversaw the finances of the Michelin-starred UK business. He previously worked as Finance Director for an AIM-listed minerals business. As an audit partner at global accounting firm BDO, David also led the largest audit group in London for a number of years.
Chris Blackhurst
An Executive Director of the C|T Group, Chris Blackhurst leads on corporate and financial communications at C|T|F Partners, a role which allows him to make full use of skills gained at the most senior levels of the UK media.
Chris was previously Editor of the Independent, before becoming Group Editorial Director of the Independent and Evening Standard. Prior to this he was Deputy Editor of the Independent on Sunday and Express titles. He also served as City Editor for 10 years at the Evening Standard and was Deputy Editor of Insight on the Sunday Times
As well as being a gifted communicator, Chris has extensive investigative experience, having headed up investigation teams for both print and TV.
Jon de Jager FCA
As Managing Director of C|T|F Private, Jon de Jager is a leading expert in sourcing and executing complex financial solutions for private and corporate clients.
With an extensive network built up over nearly two decades of working across corporate finance, taxation, corporate and personal restructurings, Jon has successfully executed in excess of $1 billion of investments and restructurings for private families and UHNW individuals in the last few years alone.
Jon qualified as a chartered accountant at PwC LLP, before joining Ernst and Young LLP to specialise in Corporate Finance. He then founded a City based Corporate Finance advisory boutique.
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