Our team
Our team combines a unique skill set of communications expertise, detailed knowledge of London and experience working for some of the most challenging projects in the UK. The LCA team is dedicated, professional and fun. Our experience and specialism enables us to focus sharply on the issues which really matter to our clients, which matter to London and matter to us.
If you are interested in joining our team, please email your details to Barbara Allen at ba@londoncommunications.co.uk.
- Richard Abbott, Account Executive
- Barbara Allen, Administrative and HR Officer
- Elizabeth Ricardo Binding, Account Executive
- Luke Blair, Board Director
- Helena Carrie, Account Executive
- Robert Gordon Clark, Executive Chairman
- Rayna Coulson, Research Assistant
- Henry Cox, Account Manager
- Emma Crowe, Account Director
- Alan Davidson, Non-Executive Director
- Eva Dixon, Administration Manager
- Jennifer Dowdeswell, Account Manager
- Jenna Goldberg, Account Manager
- Jane Groom, Board Director
- Nabil Hanafi, Account Manager
- Duncan Hepburn, Research and Account Executive
- Suzi Lawrence, Consultant
- Natasha Lee, Administration Executive
- Chris Madel, Director
- Martin McCrink, Account Director
- Matthew Neylan, Director
- Steve Norris, Non-Executive Director
- Nneka Opara, Account Executive
- Jonny Popper, Managing Director
- Stefan Swift, Research and Account Executive
- Jon Teeman, Consultant
- Adrian Wheeler, Non-Executive Director
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Richard Abbott
Account Executive
Richard joined the LCA team in January 2011 as an Account Executive having spent the previous year working for the communications team at Surrey CCC and as a freelance cricket journalist.
Richard’s clients now include Chelsea Football Club, London City Airport and New Covent Garden Market. When he first joined the agency he worked on the St Pancras International account, helping manage the station’s extensive arts, culture and filming schedule.
As a member of Team Savvy, Richard helps maintain the LCA website and Twitter feed and is a regular contributor to the LCA blog. He has also joined the LCA running club and legendary 5-a-side football team.
Richard was born in Salisbury where he attended Bishop Wordsworth’s School before reading music at Exeter University, where he also spent four and a half years as a choral scholar in the cathedral choir and a year teaching sport at Exeter Cathedral School. He has a postgraduate diploma from the London School of Journalism and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Away from work Richard can usually be found watching or playing football or cricket. He is disproportionately proud to be the only West Ham fan in the office and used to write regularly for the cricket blog, The Corridor. From time to time he also likes to escape back to Salisbury to kick a ball around with his dog Alfie.
020 7612 8492
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Barbara Allen
Administrative and HR Officer
Barbara joined London Communications Agency in June 2010.
At LCA Barbara is responsible for handling and advising on Human Resources and Pension issues as well as assisting with Finance.
Before joining LCA, Barbara was responsible for managing the Human Resources functions for a well known luxury hotel brand.
Barbara studied at South Bank University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management. In addition to this she also holds an Advanced Certificate in Employment Law.
In her spare time Barbara enjoys, dancing, modelling, theatre and travelling.
Barbara has a creative flair which started from a young age when training as a dancer in drama school. With a warm and friendly personality she embarked in a career in HR. In her spare time, Barbara does modeling and extra work for TV, property management, wedding planning and travels extensively visiting places such as Peru, Chile, Morocco, Egypt, Bahamas, Aruba, Grenada, to name but a few.
020 7612 8479
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Elizabeth Ricardo Binding
Account Executive
Liz joined LCA in August 2011 as an Account Executive. Her clients include NHS North West London, the Royal London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, CLM (CH2M HILL, Laing O’Rourke and Mace – the Olympic Delivery Authority’s Delivery Partner), Dolphin Square Foundation, LandProp and Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust.
Prior to joining LCA, Liz worked at a PR agency in Bristol where she provided stakeholder communications support on property development and regeneration projects for Sainsbury’s and National Grid. She has managed a number of public consultation events and has significant experience in community relations.
Liz graduated from Florida International University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Prior to university she interned with a Florida Congressman where she supported the constituency office, responded to resident queries and researched legislative issues.
Originally from Miami, Liz speaks fluent Spanish and has an avid interest in Cuban politics.
Outside of work she enjoys playing softball, watching films and exploring London having only moved to the City a few days before joining LCA.
0207 612 8490
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Luke Blair
Board Director
Luke is a Board Director of LCA and was made an equity partner of the company in 2005, having originally joined in 2003. At LCA he leads on transport and health, and has undertaken a number of secondments in senior communications roles.
Luke is a former political and industrial correspondent who spent 10 years in journalism before his career in both in-house and consultancy PR.
He began in journalism on local newspapers and worked his way up to the Westminster lobby, where he joined the Evening Standard in 1993. He left journalism for PR to work initially on a London First campaign for more London Underground funding, and then joined the Design Council as its media relations manager in 1997.
In 2000, he moved to PR consultancy Fishburn Hedges, where he was seconded as full time media relations manager for congestion charging in the run up to its successful introduction in Central London in 2003.
Since joining LCA, Luke has subsequently undertaken a number of similar senior secondment roles. These have included interim Director of Communications for the Local Government Association, for NHS North West London, for Transport for London, for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and for a major acute hospital.
Luke has perhaps not surprisingly gained strong relationships in the media throughout his career, as well as developing expertise in broader financial, personnel and management disciplines.
He is a regular columnist in PR Week, judges industry awards as well as occasionally winning them, has attended Harvard Business School, and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. He has three children and lives in North London.
Luke is a music junkie and has bought several guitars to try to relive his youth in way that is compatible with having three children who are all embarrassed by this. He also learnt the piano and trumpet and, unlike the guitar, reached some quite respectable grades on these instruments.
0207 612 8484
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Helena Carrie
Account Executive
Helena joined the LCA team in March 2012 as an Account Executive, having spent the previous year working for the communications team at the Social Care Institute for Excellence and as an events coordinator at the College of Social Work. Prior to this Helena interned at Forster Communications and at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s press office.
Helena’s clients now include Kings Cross Central Partnership, London Elects, Access Finsbury Square and London + Partners.
Helena was born and bred in Scotland. She attended the University of Stirling, where she studied Psychology and Politics.
In 2010, before making the move to London she embarked on a 3 month tour of the east coast of Australia where she discovered her love for Havaiana’s and travelling.
In her free time Helena can be found venturing not that far from the office, as her heart lies deep within Oxford Street and Soho. This is where she indulges on her four big passions: eating, shopping, people watching and London!
020 7612 8496
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Robert Gordon Clark
Executive Chairman
Robert founded London Communications Agency together with Jonny Popper and leads a number of clients such as Chelsea FC, CLM (the delivery partner of the ODA), Kings Cross, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Mace and St George plc.
From 1999 to 2010 Robert was Chairman and Managing Director of LCA. On 1 August 2010 Jonny took over as MD.
Robert remains Chairman and continues to work full time at LCA focusing on clients, new business, promoting the company and commentating regularly on London issues.
Robert has an all-round corporate communications background which began in commercial marketing in the 1980s and broadened out into public affairs, media relations and issues management in the 1990s. He now has over 20 years experience working on the London agenda.
Prior to setting up the company, he was Deputy Chief Executive of London First, the business campaign group, and London First Centre, the inward investment agency, after previously being Director of Communications and Marketing. In that time Robert oversaw the launch of London First Centre itself, created The London Brand for Inward Investment, was Director of the London Tube Campaign and consultant to the English National Stadium Trust which delivered Wembley as the new national stadium. Policy work included A Governor for London (1996), Making a Commitment to the Capital 1997-2002 (1997) and The Job Description for the Mayor (1999).
Before London First, he was Head of Public Affairs for London Arts Board, opened an art gallery in New York and spent six years in various sales and marketing posts with Matthew Clark & Sons plc.
Robert graduated in law from Southampton University (1983) and was educated at St. Johns School, Leatherhead, where he was a Governor from 1996-2011. He is a Trustee of the Mayors Thames Festival, a fellow of the RSA and Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
In 2005 he served on the Private Sector Challenge Panel reviewing the Metropolitan Polices budget. For three years (1999-2002) he presented a weekly radio show on LBC called The Business, aimed at Londons SMEs.
His other main interests are cricket and theatre (The Questors Theatre).
Apart from his family and all things London, Robert’ s passions are theatre (both acting and watching) and cricket (both playing and watching). As the years have rolled by the cricket playing has reduced as his waist line, cricket watching and acting have increased. Off work, most often seen in Wiltshire or in the Harris Tent at Lord’s.
0207 612 8482
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Rayna Coulson
Research Assistant
Rayna joined LCA as a Research Assistant in February 2012. She provides research and intelligence gathering support to the team for LCA’s extensive client base. Rayna works closely with LCA’s growing Research Team.
Her role involves media and parliamentary monitoring for the 32 London Boroughs and working on aspects of the London Elects campaign for the upcoming Mayoral elections.
Before joining LCA, Rayna interned in the constituency office of Rt Hon Simon Hughes – the Liberal Democrat MP – in Bermondsey and in the Individual Membership Department at Chatham House.
Rayna graduated from the London School of Economics in 2010 with a BSc in Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method and in 2011 with an MSc in Politics and Government in the European Union. During her time at university, Rayna volunteered in a number of Widening Participation projects, dabbled in copy-editing for Clare Market Review and The Transatlantic journals, experimented with hip-hop dancing and is currently a committed devotee to 80s music.
Rayna is a fan of anything related to food and counts among her many passions eating, talking about food and cooking. When not in deep thought about her next meal, Rayna plays the piano and saxophone and is teaching herself to play the guitar.
020 7612 8496
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Henry Cox
Account Manager
Henry joined the LCA team in September 2007 as an Account Executive after graduating from Northumbria University in the same year. He was promoted to Account Manager in May 2011.
Henry works on a number of client accounts including the Met Police Property Services providing internal and external communications on the changes to their estate portfolio, and supporting Mace on two of the most iconic developments in the capital; the Shard and the Emirates Air Line cable car. He also works with Dolphin Square Foundation on their various affordable housing development schemes in and around Westminster, and with Prestbury Investments on the management of the unique St. Katharine Docks in central London.
He also worked with Tottenham Hotspur FC on their two major planning projects in the capital – firstly on their successful planning application for a new training facility in Enfield and throughout the construction phase, and then helping in their planning application for a new world-class stadium in Haringey which was granted with unanimous consent in 2010 – and all despite being a devoted Arsenal fan!
Henry is also a key member of LCA’s internal social media team that looks to enhance the company’s online presence and helps clients navigate their way through the digital world. After working hours he is a keen member of LCA’s 5-a-side football team, who play regular weekly matches for a PR League in West London. Their league runners-up trophy that was won last season now sits proudly alongside LCA’s other PR awards on the office mantelpiece.
Away from work Henry is a self-confessed movie geek and is proud to say that he will watch (almost) any film once. He also writes various inane ramblings about anything and everything to do with the world of cinema on his Twitter feed @loveoffilms. Just don’t ask him what his favourite film is!
020 7612 8477
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Emma Crowe
Account Director
Emma joined LCA in July 2008 as an Account Manager and was promoted to Account Director in May 2011.
Her clients include King’s Cross, London Elects, Chobham Farm and John Lewis. Emma is responsible for leading on each of these clients on a day to day basis and providing strategic advice at a senior level. During her time at LCA, Emma has worked on large scale community consultations, stakeholder engagement and mapping, campaign management and media relations. She is also responsible for coordinating and managing the LCA Resources Pack, an internal intranet system known as Elsie for sharing LCA knowledge amongst staff.
Previously, Emma was at London Elects, the independent body set up to organise and promote the elections for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. There she was responsible for all media relations, organising the declaration event in City Hall and building relationships with key London stakeholders to encourage more Londoners to register to vote and vote.
Emma graduated from Exeter University in 2000 with a BSc Honours degree in Geography. From there she trained as a journalist climbing the ranks to chief reporter at the Surrey Comet and South London Guardian.
After three years in journalism Emma moved across to PR, first as senior press officer and then heading up the Thames press team at the Environment Agency, working on issues including flood risk in London, pollution in the river Thames and how to manage the capital’s waste.
Emma is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, has a diploma in Public Relations and is a keen runner.
A keen runner Emma is often found persuading people – even clients – to join LCA’s Running Club. Exploring the big outdoors is certainly her passion enjoying frequent camping holidays around the UK and most recently in New England where she was joined at breakfast time by a brown bear – but thankfully survived to tell the tale.
020 7612 8478
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Alan Davidson
Non-Executive Director
Alan has interests in architecture, art, digital media, urban planning, business/social structures, visual perception, information graphics, interactive communications, social media and geospatial analysis. Lectures, consultancy and expert witness work include advising on strategies for visual communication and visual perception of the built environment.
Alan studied Fine Art and Architecture at the University of Edinburgh and qualified as an architect in 1986. Alan worked with Richard Rogers Partnership from which he founded London based Hayes Davidson in 1990, creating the first professional practice CG illustration studio specialising in architecture in the UK. He has worked with many of the world’s best known architectural practices, and has advised on major London projects including The London Eye, Millennium Bridge, The Dome, T5, Canary Wharf, Wembley, Tate Modern and many of London’s tall building projects.
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Eva Dixon
Administration Manager
Eva was promoted to Administration Manager having joined LCA in January 2007. In her managerial role she is responsible for running the Administration team, ensuring the smooth running of the office plus handling company finance, HR issues and company events and marketing.
In addition, Eva leads in the creative design for all of LCA’s presentations, documents, brochures and marketing material including LCA’s monthly newsletter. She also designs and creates specific material for clients including Met Police, St George, NHS North West and Dolphin Square Foundation.
Eva studied Product Design and Development at the London College of Fashion and in her spare time she enjoys illustration and cooking.
At 14 years old Eva was asked to complete a ‘career options assessment’ which despite her creative flair and enthusiastic personality, returned a best match for a funeral director. Twelve years on having not pursued her calling, Eva releases her creative side through drawing and illustration. She also enjoys cooking and a Come Dine With Me marathon.
0207 612 8497
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Jennifer Dowdeswell
Account Manager
Jennifer joined LCA as an Account Manager in December 2011. She works with a variety of clients from NHS North West London to Metropolitan Police Property Services and several exciting regeneration projects.
Jennifer was previously an NHS Communications Manager so has a strong grasp of the many intricacies and acronyms of the public health system. Before landing in the UK, she worked at an integrated communications agency in Western Australia working with high profile clients across a range of sectors including a controversial tourism development, a major shopping centre chain, a healthcare clinic and a fashion festival.
Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication) majoring in PR and Journalism with a minor in Marketing. She is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and in her spare time she likes proving why she left the sunny shores of Australia by exploring London and popping over to various European cities for a weekend.
Jumping out of planes, moving half-way across the world and dancing on stage – Jennifer likes to step outside her comfort zone. She loves that there’s always something new to discover in London whether it be a new café, West End show, pop up market or gig. Hailing from one of the most isolated cities in the world, she also loves having an array of countries on her doorstep.
0207 612 8499
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Jenna Goldberg
Account Manager
Jenna Goldberg joined LCA in June 2008 and was promoted to Account Manager in April 2010. Her clients include Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and Chelsea Football Club where her work is focused on public affairs and stakeholder engagement. She is also helping Peabody plan a year of celebrations for its 150th anniversary in 2012.
Jenna has experience in the health sector and is currently working with NHS North West London. She also works on housing and regeneration projects across the capital (and slightly beyond) for St George, Tesco and Commercial Estates Group. As one of the team that writes LCA’s London intelligence briefing LCA Monthly, she is up to date on all London news and issues.
Before LCA, Jenna worked as a Corporate Communications Manager for Reuters, writing and publishing internal news, planning events and helping to execute the communications strategy around the Thomson Reuters merger.
Jenna has spent most of her life in North London, leaving only to complete a BA in English Literature at Cambridge University where she specialised in contemporary American literature, worked on the student newspaper and played a bit of football.
Just before starting at LCA she drove the Civil Rights trail in the Deep South and spent three months travelling in Central America.
Jenna likes reading, cooking and eating and enjoys nothing more than when these activities are combined. When not concerned with Shepherd’s Pie and the great American novel her impressively sized family take up a great deal of her time (mostly in a nice way). Any spare moments are spent supporting Spurs, considering some exercise and obsessively making her way through DVD boxsets.
020 7612 8472
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Jane Groom
Board Director
Jane joined LCA as a Director in 2006 from the Department for Communities and Local Government where she was the Director of Communications. Jane became an equity partner at LCA in May 2008.
At LCA Jane focuses on regeneration, housing and property development, directing accounts such as London and Quadrant, Peabody, Tesco, the Dolphin Square Foundation and LandProp (part of the Inter IKEA group).
Jane has spent many years as chief communications adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister. With over 16 years’ experience in Whitehall departments, she has an extensive knowledge of the workings of Government and powerful and varied expertise with experience across the communications mix.
Jane has a track record of delivering complex strategies in a high-profile environment. As Head of Communications at the Golden Jubilee Office she worked closely with the Director of Communications at Buckingham Palace. The Golden Jubilee Office received the top award at the International Public Relations Association Conference.
At the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Jane ran the Government’s Sustainable Communities Conference and organised summits for the UK’s Presidency of the European Union. Previous Whitehall roles include Head of News at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and press officer at the Department of Health.
During her time in Government Jane has influenced strategy and communications in a range of policy areas, including housing, regeneration, planning, the Thames Gateway, local government, and London resilience. She was responsible for the communication strategies for London Transport, the Bill establishing the London Mayor, and the referendum and election that followed.
Jane has a BA in English and Sociology from Oxford Brookes University. She is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Jane in a word: energy. Jane in a picture: Nigella Lawson working the corridors of power, rather than her kitchen Aga. Mind you Jane’s cooking’s not bad either. Work is no 4 letter word to Jane, whether it’s writing a winning strategy, hosting a public meeting or working a room of politicians. What’s more work is to be enjoyed, not endured. Any project with Jane will be fun; but she’s no push over and will challenge everyone as much as herself to deliver the best. If you like to win, you’ll love Jane.
0207 612 8485
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Nabil Hanafi
Account Manager
Nabil joined the LCA team in August 2011 as an Account Manager and is focussed on advising a number of our housing and regeneration clients, including London and Quadrant, LandProp and King’s Cross Central. He also provides communications support to London City Airport.
Nabil has previous experience of communicating on London and London issues following past roles within London government at both the regional and local tiers. Most recently he worked at the London Development Agency (LDA) for four years as Communications and Public Affairs Manager, driving political engagement and developing both corporate and project level communications strategies. During his time at the LDA he worked on a number of large regeneration projects including the Olympic land acquisition and remediation, Crystal Palace Park and the vision for the Royal Docks.
Nabil has always lived in London, with the exception of three years spent in the West Country whilst studying at the University of Bristol. He graduated in 2004 with an honours degree in Theology and Religious Studies, particular areas of interest were religious existentialism and Liberation theology. After university he joined the London Borough of Richmond for two years, improving stakeholder communications around the Borough’s planning and environmental services.
Nabil lives in Hackney. In his spare time he enjoys eating far too much hummus, attacking cryptic crosswords (often literally) and torturing himself through his zealous devotion to Arsenal Football Club.
0207 612 8491
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Duncan Hepburn
Research and Account Executive
Duncan joined LCA in April 2011 as a Research and Account Executive where his roles include supporting the research team in monitoring politics across local, regional and national levels.
His clients include Tottenham Hotspur FC, King’s Cross Central, St George plc, John Lewis Partnership and the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. He also attends key meetings at City Hall and monitors relevant Parliamentary activity.
Duncan is also part of the internal LCA department known as TeaMedia. Alongside the rest of the team, he keeps up to date of all media activity in and around London and helps organise internal seminar sessions with key members from the media industry. As part of this, he is developing how the company moves forward in how we monitor the media.
Prior to joining LCA Duncan spent three years working as a reporter on the Camden Gazette and Islington Gazette titles where he worked on a range of stories including articles on Crossrail, King’s Cross Central and the redevelopment of St Pancras International.
Duncan attended Liverpool John Moores University where he gained a degree in Imaginative Writing and Screen Studies before returning to London and successfully obtaining both NCTJ and NCE journalism qualifications.
Outside of work Duncan can be found out and about in south London sampling the delights of the local pubs and eateries. He plays football regularly and passionately follows Liverpool FC, donning the obligatory rose-tinted glasses every August and exclaiming: “This year the Premiership’s ours.” His greatest journalistic moment was meeting and interviewing Henry Winkler aka the Fonz – it doesn’t come much cooler than that.
020 7612 8487
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Suzi Lawrence
Consultant
Following some time living and working in Africa, Suzi has returned to LCA (where she was formerly a Director) as a consultant working across accounts and new business opportunities. This currently includes London Elects and Pimlico Primary.
Having worked since 2002 in public relations consultancy Suzi has primarily focused on commercial property and regeneration / planning in both the public and private sectors. This has included large scale community consultation, stakeholder engagement and mapping, event management and media relations. Past clients have included the Metropolitan Police Property Services, Covent Garden Market Authority, Kings Cross Central and Renewal.
She has also previously worked for Stanhope on their Chiswick Park and Hemel Hempstead developments and CB Richard Ellis with their planning and public sector consultancy teams and Chelsfield at Brierley Hill.
Suzi graduated from Exeter University in 2000 with a degree in geography after which she undertook a 6 month work placement at Abbey National in their corporate relations team.
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Natasha Lee
Administration Executive
Natasha joined LCA in August 2011 as the Administration Executive, she is responsible for our library of over 100 local and trade publications and manages the press cuttings for them all. She also assists on daily administrative tasks including maintaining LCA’s extensive database and assisting with client events.
Natasha has a degree in Geography and a Masters in Sustainable Development. During her degree, she studied urban regeneration and its implications for cities. She has spent over two months in rural Uganda where she researched for her dissertations and taught English and sports in the local Primary school.
Having spent some of her childhood in Hong Kong, Natasha enjoys travelling. She particularly enjoys exploring Africa, and hopes to continue her travelling in the future.
0207 612 8476
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Chris Madel
Director
Chris joined LCA in November 2003 and was promoted to Director in November 2010. His clients include Marylebone Cricket Club, Renewal, Chelsea Football Club, London City Airport and St George plc.
Chris has significant experience in leading on communications around large scale development and infrastructure projects that require collaborative working with local communities. He has managed a number of public consultations and is adept at promoting projects in the media and building support through engagement with stakeholders and the public.
In addition to leading client accounts, Chris also manages LCA’s regular commentaries on local, regional and national politics. Chris has appeared on Channel 4 and BBC’s Politics Show as a political pundit and presented to over 30 private and public sector organisations in the run up to the general and local elections in 2010 looking at the possible election outcomes and the implications of political change for London.
Before joining LCA, Chris worked for 2 years as an Account Executive at Golley Slater Recruitment Advertising where he handled a variety of public and private sector accounts.
Chris graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, in 2000 with a BSCEC Hons degree in International Politics with Italian. Chris is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Chris still can’t make his mind up over whether town or country is best but enjoys both, particularly if it involves his prized vintage VW campervan. Chris is a semi-retired surfer but still finds time for the sea when he’s not looking after his small children or impressive vegetable garden.
0207 612 8489
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Martin McCrink
Account Director
Martin joined LCA as an Account Director in February 2012.
Prior to joining LCA, Martin was an Account Director at Camargue. He worked on a range of projects providing consultancy on corporate communications, planning and consultation, internal communications, public affairs and stakeholder management.
In that time he completed a successful secondment to an energy company, worked on major regeneration and renewable energy development projects and managed corporate communications and business to business accounts in the built environment, automotive and construction sectors.
Martin has worked on a number of complex and diverse planning projects including wind farms, fossil-fuel power stations, new electricity transmission and distribution connections as well as house building and mix use development schemes across the UK.
Martin previously worked for a Member of Parliament and volunteered during two general election campaigns (2005 and 2010). He also completed a short placement at a local newspaper.
A graduate from Aston University in Birmingham, Martin gained a BSc in Politics and Sociology.
Martin plays tennis and loves watching football, rugby and Formula 1. He also enjoys a good pint of local ale.
Martin moved to London from Stroud, Gloucestershire. He has an ambition to go to an event at every sporting venue in and around London as soon as he can.
020 7612 8494
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Matthew Neylan
Director
Matthew joined LCA as an Account Manager in May 2006 and was promoted to Account Director in July 2008 and to Director in May 2011. Matthew’s clients include the Brent Cross Cricklewood Development Partners (Hammerson and Standard Life Investments), Tesco, Mace Group Ltd, LCR, CH2M HILL, NLA and CLM (CH2M HILL, Laing O’Rourke and Mace – the Olympic Delivery Authority’s Delivery Partner), including a spell seconded directly into their offices.
Previously, Matthew worked for three and a half years in the Mayor of London’s Press Office, latterly heading up the economic development press desk which leads on the London 2012 Games, planning, housing, regeneration, London’s economy and international issues.
Matthew was in Singapore for the decision in July 2005 to select London as Host City for the 2012 Games. He also managed media for former Mayor Ken Livingstone’s statement in response to the 7/7 London bombings, and for the early work of the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund.
Matthew started his career in radio journalism, working for a production company making news and current affairs programmes for BBC Radio 5 Live, Radio 4 and the World Service. He moved into public relations at the Local Government Information Unit, a think tank and campaigning group for local authorities across England and Wales.
Matthew has a BA in English and Related Literature from the University of York, a Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from City University in London, and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Matthew loves getting outdoors whether it's walking in the Lake District, testing himself against a rock-face (he trekked up Mont Blanc earlier this year) or going for a run around one of our fabulous Royal Parks. He is also a travel fanatic (Peru, China, Bulgaria are recent highlights) and to add the required note of glamour is also Secretary of his Flat Management Company.
0207 612 8488
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Steve Norris
Non-Executive Director
Steve Norris is both a politician with a national reputation and an experienced businessman. He was a Member of Parliament for over fourteen years and served as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Departments of Environment, Trade and Industry and the Home Office and was Minister for Transport in London from 1992-96. He was Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party and twice their candidate for Mayor of London, outperforming the national party on both occasions. He now sits on the boards of Transport for London and the London Development Agency.
He has combined his political undertakings with a successful business career in which he has specialised in corporate turnrounds and new technology. As a high level business advisor Steve’s clients have included The Financial Services Authority, the Strategic Rail Authority, London Electricity, Jaguar Cars, Expedia Corporation and Canary Wharf Group.
As a businessman Steve has been Director General of the Road Haulage Association and has wide experience of both quoted and unquoted companies. He is Chairman of AMT-Sybex Group and Saferoad BLG and Senior Independent Director at ITIS Holdings plc.
Outside business Steve is Chair of the Trustees of Eastside Young Leaders Academy and of the London Action Trust. He is President of ITS-UK and a Patron of the Campaign for Better Transport and of the cycling charity Sustrans. Steve is also a Companion of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Apart from London, Steve's other passion is football. He was born an Evertonian and claims his proudest moment ever was when Brian Labone, the former England and Everton midfielder, told him he loved his programme on TalkSport radio. These days he follows Fulham except when the Toffees come to Craven Cottage when strangely he has an engagement elsewhere.
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Nneka Opara
Account Executive
Nneka joined LCA in April 2010 as an Account Executive. Her clients include Tesco, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, London and Quadrant and South London Business.
Nneka additionally works on the award winning Brent Cross Cricklewood Scheme, helping to provide public affairs and communication support for one of the largest regeneration projects in London. She is also part of the team responsible for producing the company’s client newsletter LCA Monthly and since starting at LCA has been responsible for writing content updating clients and colleagues on London news and key issues. Nneka is an occasional member of the LCA running team, and can sometimes be found trailing behind the more devoted members of the team admiring the views of Regent’s Park!
Before joining LCA, Nneka worked in journalism, writing national and local news and feature articles for a number of publications including Pulse, The South London Press entertainment magazine and Press Gazette.
She now uses her media background to contribute to LCA’s internal department TeaMedia, and keeping on top of regional and national media developments, and helping to organise seminar sessions, and has become one of LCA’s social media gurus.
Originally from Manchester, Nneka moved to London in 2004 to complete a BA in Film and Hispanic studies at Queen Mary University, specialising in Latin American, and Contemporary Hollywood Cinema. She graduated in 2008, and went on to complete a post graduate diploma in News Writing.
Away from the office, after having spent a year living in Spain, Nneka speaks fluent Spanish, and can often be found enjoying dancing or taking part in various film events.
Nneka is a huge film fan having studied cinema at university, and often pitches in with amateur filmmaking, and film events in her spare time. Nneka is also a sports enthusiast, and is proud to be LCA’s one and only Manchester United FC fan!
020 7612 8486
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Jonny Popper
Managing Director
Jonny is co-founder of and a partner in LCA and has particular expertise in development and planning-led issues in London. He leads across the company on planning work, community consultation, event management and key message development.
Jonny’s key clients currently include Tottenham Hotspur FC, Quintain Estates, the Brent Cross Cricklewood Development Partners (Hammerson and Standard Life Investments), Covent Garden Market Authority, London City Airport, the Metropolitan Police (Property Services) and John Lewis (Stratford store).
As MD Jonny also leads the business on a day to day basis.
Prior to joining the company, Jonny worked for four years at Neil Stewart Associates, the political consultancy and event organiser, where he was Director of Consultancy, Sponsorship and New Business.
After gaining a degree in economics from Leeds University, Jonny worked for two years on the NHS Management Training Scheme. Following that he became Research Assistant to Harriet Harman MP, then Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury (later moved to Employment) and then Research Assistant to Nick Brown MP, then Shadow Minister of Health.
Jonny is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, is a Formula One fanatic and a keen juggler. He is also fond of a good bottle of wine!
Jonny’s career choices after university genuinely included the option of becoming a professional juggler! Jonny’s Mum taught him to juggle oranges when he was 7, before progressing to machetes when living on a Kibbutz for a year and then fire-clubs at University. Jonny also unicycles and is the co-author of ‘Club Passing – a jugglers guide to social interaction’. It probably explains why he almost never wears a tie, let alone a suit.
0207 612 8483
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Stefan Swift
Research and Account Executive
Stefan joined LCA in December 2007 and worked as LCA’s Administration Executive where his roles included organising LCA’s tailored press cuttings and subscriptions services – drawn from a wide selection of London-based newspapers and trade publications.
He was appointed Research Executive in January 2010. In this role Stefan provides vital research support for the company and leads on research and intelligence gathering across the entire client base. He attends key meetings at City Hall and monitors relevant Parliamentary activity as well as monitoring communications and council meetings in all 32 London boroughs.
Stefan is responsible for constantly updating the Who Runs London document; understanding the implications of the Localism Act; leading on the LCA Twitter feed (@ldncomms) – Stefan was once even labelled LCA’s Twitter Guru – and is an active member on the LCA News Blog, launched in January 2011.
He also works as an Account Executive on two clients. Stefan has recently begun working on the London Elects campaign to raise awareness ahead of the 3 MayLondon elections. He also provides support for other client teams where necessary and is one of the staff members who ensures that the LCA intranet, Elsie, is kept up to date.
Stefan is also part of the internal LCA department known as Team Savvy, which is leading the company’s digital presence and offer to clients. Having been a core part of TeaMedia, which monitors traditional news media, he keeps abreast of all media activity in and around London and helps organise internal seminar sessions with key members from the media industry. As part of this, he is developing how the company moves forward in how we monitor and use the media, specifically digital.
Stefan studied Journalism and Football and Society at the Universityof Central Lancashirein Preston and is co-founder/editor of the Brightonand Hove Albion football fanzine, The Seagull Love Review – a publication derived more from a TeaMedia perspective in a Team Savvy world.
Stefan is co-founder and editor of the Brighton and Hove Albion fanzine, The Seagull Love Review, and has been since its inception in 2008. Thus, he religiously follows the second division club losing money on the publication. He also loves roast dinners and a variety of music, especially from the 1980s.
020 7612 8498
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Jon Teeman
Consultant
Jon Teeman is a sales and marketing specialist with many years of experience in luxury and sports. He runs his own private consulting business, Walsham Communications, managing corporate communications programmes around major infrastructure projects in The Middle East. As part of a small marketing team he helped launch the O2 brand in the UK. In five years of working for Arsenal Football Club, Jon was Head of Partner Development, securing sponsorship with a number of major brands including 02, Samsung, Renault and Lanson Champagne. His role expanded to include the commercial developement of Arsenal‘s Emirates Stadium where he also played a key role in establishing Diamond Club, one of the first private members club within Premiership football .
In 2007 he directed the opening of St Pancras International station and was Commercial Director for TEAMORIGIN, Sir Keith Mills’ sailing team for the America’s Cup. Previously Jon had worked in advertising where he helped establish a successful agency and subsequently sold out in the 1990s.
Married to the noted musician and muscial arranger Annie Skates, Jon divides his time between his collection of motorcycles in the garage of his mews house in Marylebone villlage and pretending to enjoy the fresh air, warm beer and country life in Claygate, Surrey.
0207 391 4327
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Adrian Wheeler
Non-Executive Director
Adrian Wheeler has over 30 years’ experience in public relations, financial communications and public affairs. He co-founded Sterling Public Relations, a general-practice communications consultancy, in 1976. The firm was acquired by Grey Advertising in 1990 and Adrian worked for Grey until 2005 as CEO of GCI UK and chairman of GCI Europe, which grew into a 28-office EMEA network.
In addition to his non-executive role at LCA, Adrian is a partner in Agincourt Communications and a non-executive at Firefly Communications. He is a consultant at the Gyroscope Consultancy and at Best Communications, an Anglo-Czech public relations firm based in Prague. He is a director of Speakers’ Corner Trust, an international free-speech charity.
Adrian is chairman of the Professional Practices Committee at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and co-chairman of the judges for the Public Relations Consultants Association annual awards. He is a fellow of the CIPR and of the PRCA. In 2011 he was awarded the Stephen Tallents Medal for services to the public relations industry.
Adrian edited ‘Best Business Advice’, an anthology of ideas from prominent PR people, published in aid of the Evelina Children’s Hospital at St Thomas’s.
