The MPF Communications Panel is a confidential, in-depth discussion group of experienced and senior communications specialists working in organisations providing professional, financial and other knowledge-based services to business.
The Panel will concentrate on communications issues across the board: communications to the media and other influential external audiences; and internal communications within member organisations.
The Communications Panel provides a forum for exchanging ideas and sharing experiences (our launch meeting concentrated on defensive communications during a particular event, from the point of view of both PR practitioner and journalist). The emphasis is on practical advice derived from first-hand experience and providing the opportunity for discussion on an informal and open basis.
Our events are run in London, providing both educational and networking opportunities for MPF and Panel members. Events may be organised in other cities. As a membership organisation, all our meetings are member only. However, those interested in joining are welcome to attend one event as our guest in order to get a feel for the Panel.
Structured: Panel Directors work with committee members to create online surveys on relevant topics, analyse results and publish the findings for free in the public domain.
Ad hoc: A member sends a question to mpfpulse@pmint.co.uk. HQ canvasses experts and members, and publishes a summary of contributions.
Panel Chair: Anne Groves joined Clifford Chance in 2003 as global head of public relations. She is responsible for coordinating the firm's global PR network, PR planning and implementation to promote the firm's reputation, and preparing for and handling sensitive issues. She was previously joint global head of corporate communications at Andersen, responsible for the UK, for coordinating communications in the EMEIA region (Europe, Middle East, India, Africa), and for global communications planning.
Panel Director: Jon McLeod, is Chairman, UK Legal & Public Affairs at Weber Shandwick. Jon went into legal communications and public affairs in 1994, having spent six years in financial and legal journalism. His specialisms include: litigation communications, legal media relations, vertical sector press, marketing and events programmes, strategic counsel, directory profiling, branding and naming.
Tom Rose, After half hearted attempts to get into journalism, Tom Rose happened into PR following stints as a fund-raiser and sponsorship officer for MENCAP and Northern Ballet Theatre respectively. His first pr job was as press officer for Coopers & Lybrand in Manchester, after which he spent 4 years as pr manager for C&L in London. He moved to Clifford Chance in 1994 and joined Herbert Smith as head of communications in 2001.
Sean Twomey, joined Norton Rose as Head of Public Relations in 2004 . Having originally qualified and practised as a solicitor specialising in personal injury claims, Sean represented the victims of the Watford, Southall and Paddington train crashes. His involvement with the media in this high profile litigation and Public Inquires prompted his move to Denton Wilde Sapte as PR manager and then to the magic circle law firm, Allen & Overy LLP. In his current role as Head of PR at Norton Rose, Sean manages a team of PR executives and is responsible for all of the firm's outward-facing media relations, incorporating regular press coverage, television and radio broadcasting.
Will White is the Director of External Communications for Ernst & Young in the UK. He joined EY in 2001, initially as a Manager in the media relations team. Formerly an accountant and consultant with another leading professional services firm, he has also worked as a speech writer and researcher in the House of Commons and prior to EY was the Deputy Director of the Management Consultancies Association, the trade body for the leading Consulting firms in the UK.
Two independent referees are required. Panel membership is free for MPF members, PM Forum members and clients, and £487.50 /$887.50 /€707.50 plus admission fee for others. Consultants are only eligible for Panel membership in exceptional circumstances. Membership renews on 1 September with a sliding scale in the first year. If interested, please complete the registration form.