Lorraine Aziz, EA

Over 10 years EA experience working in the communications industry. She supports the team and their clients. Previously worked at Teneo in London.

Email: la@apellaadvisors.com

James Acheson-Gray, Partner

Long-term advisor to senior decision makers on the value of harnessing reputation to enhance commercial objectives. Over 20 years’ experience running successful PR/PA firms and major client programmes in Europe and Asia. Managing director of APCO Worldwide from 2012-2019. Consultancy of the Year 2018. Former Board Director of the Queen’s Club.

Email: jag@apellaadvisors.com

Sam Bevans, Partner

Experienced communications director, specialising in campaign strategy and planning. 20 years of experience working across media, technology, healthcare, energy, FMCG, financial services, professional services, and the public sector. Previous clients include AstraZeneca, Capita, The Co-operative Bank, Drax, UBS and Volkswagen.

Email: sb@apellaadvisors.com

Andrew Brown, Partner

Formerly Director of Communications and Public affairs at Ageas Insurance, Andrew has more than ten years’ experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global, listed, multifaceted firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors. He has considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management as well as reputation sentiment analysis and insight. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

Email: acb@apellaadvisors.com

Charlie Cumiskey, Associate

Joined Apella in 2023 where he supports clients with research and analysis, monitoring, and event support. He studied Political Science at the University of Birmingham, with specialisms in both the political economy of finance and British politics. He also achieved a distinction in an MA in Political Communication from the University of Leeds. Beyond his studies, he has been working closely advising on the digital strategy for a Labour Party prospective parliamentary candidate for the forthcoming general election.

Email: cc@apellaadvisors.com

Florence Foster, Team Assistant

Joined Apella in 2023, supporting the team and their clients. Flo previously worked in the property industry and graduated from the University of Leeds with a BA in art and design.

Email: ff@apellaadvisors.com

Dave Godfrey, Director

Over 15 years of experience advising regulated companies in-house and in agency. Spent the last four years at TSB Bank leading political and regulatory engagement during the Covid-19 pandemic and launching the Bank's strategy refresh internally and externally – and for the past two years he led the Bank’s Customer Experience Team. He spent a decade in agency including six years at Teneo Blue Rubicon where he led the British Gas and NatWest accounts, and two years in the Middle East advising on major global sporting events. Other clients have included Coca-Cola, Ford and Scottish Power, where he advised on reputational issues.

Email: dg@apellaadvisors.com

Mike Granleese, Partner

Formerly the Deputy Managing Director of Ipsos Corporate Reputation, Mike has over 20 years’ experience across roles in insights, consultancy and academia. He specialises in helping clients understand insights within the context of their organisation and advising on the actions needed to drive reputation growth and protect license to operate. Previous clients in financial services include Aviva, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide and MasterCard. He has also worked closely with Coca-Cola, Heineken, EY, PwC and The World Bank. Mike holds a PhD in economics. 

Email: mg@apellaadvisors.com

Sarika Haggipavlou, Partner & CFO

Highly experienced commercial CFO with COO experience, primarily with businesses in the professional services sector. Since 2016 has been CFO/COO of Native Design, overseeing £25m of revenues and a team of 120 in London and the US. Between 2013 and 2016 was CFO/COO of StockWell Communications. She was at PWC between 1990 and 2002. 

Julian Hanson-Smith, Chair

Co-founded and was the managing director of FTI Consulting where he advised PLCs for over 15 years. Co-founded Iceni Capital, an operationally active private equity firm specialising in business services companies. Led Iceni Capital’s investment in StockWell Communications in 2010.

James Kirkup, Partner

Over 20 years in high-profile Westminster roles including Political Editor of the Daily Telegraph and Director of the Social Market Foundation. Extensive experience of thought leadership and advocacy work, with a particular focus on the relationship between business, politics and public policy.  Continues to contribute regularly to national media outlets as a columnist at the Times and Spectator.

Email: jk@apellaadvisors.com

Liz Lynch, Partner

Experienced in corporate communications; public affairs and policy; regulatory affairs and risk; industrial relations; crisis and complex issues management; reputation turnarounds; campaigns, competition; and ESG. Former Head of Public Affairs and Public Policy at TSB Bank. Previously a Partner at a global communications agency and has worked in the media and politics.

Email: ll@apellaadvisors.com

Will Melling, Senior Associate

Will has worked for Apella for almost three years. He studied law at Cambridge University before doing an MA in Public Policy at King’s College London, focused on policy research and analysis. Will has experience across both corporate communications and public affairs with a focus on financial services clients. He also is responsible for reputation data analysis and insight.

Email: wjm@apellaadvisors.com

Elizabeth Mobed, Senior Associate

Joined Apella as a Senior Associate in November 2023. She spent the last three years at Teneo advising clients on a range of reputation and communications mandates. She has extensive capital markets and financial communications experience, advising on international M&A transactions and IPOs with FTSE 100 and private equity firms. She has also advised clients on ESG, issues campaigning and crisis communications. She joined Teneo in 2021 from FTI Consulting's Energy and Natural Resources communications team. She holds an BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford.

Email: em@apellaadvisors.com

Janelle Romano, Director

Director with experience working across corporate, B2B, B2C and internal communications briefs in technology, energy, financial services, learning and skills, transport and professional services. Clients have included American Express, Bank of America, Capita, Chicago Booth School of Business and LinkedIn.

Email: jlr@apellaadvisors.com

Jenny Scott, Partner

Former Executive Director of Communications at the Bank of England and co-lead for Bank wide strategy. Advisor to the Governor, sat on the Bank’s executive committee and risk committee. Formerly economics and politics correspondent for the BBC and presenter of the Daily Politics. Trustee of Pro Bono Economics. 

Email: jjs@apellaadvisors.com

Artemis Sianni-Wedderburn, Associate

Artemis has been at Apella since March 2023, and graduated this summer with joint honours in BA Arabic and Politics from SOAS, University of London. She worked as an Intern and later Junior Reporter for The Jordan Times, and Deputy Editor of the SOAS Spirit. Previously shortlisted at the National Student Publication Awards, and former Young Leader and Young Ambassador for the Peabody Trust. She worked as a Mentor and Judge for DebateMate Charity. 

Email: aws@apellaadvisors.com

Anthony Silverman, Partner

Over 20 years advising global boards and executive teams with complex reputational needs. Recent clients include Aquiline Capital, Atlas Merchant Capital, Deutsche Bank, Selfridges Group, and Pension Insurance Corporation. A significant client base in Europe and the US. Previously Senior Managing Director at Teneo.

Email: ads@apellaadvisors.com

Arne Wysny, Senior Associate

Previously worked for the German development organisation, Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit and in strategic marketing for Adidas football. He holds a MSc in Global Affairs from King’s College London and an undergraduate degree in Business Economics from Humboldt-University of Berlin. At Apella, he supports clients in the financial services and utilities sectors. He has particular responsibility for data analysis and research across our clients and on new business opportunities.

Email: aw@apellaadvisors.com

Matt Young, Partner

25 years of experience across media relations, public affairs, regulatory development, employee engagement, brand development, competition and CSR. Group corporate affairs director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.

Email: my@apellaadvisors.com