Specialist skills and expertise

Our clients are at the heart of DRD Partnership and we have built our business to meet their needs. As the issues facing them grow ever more complex and fast-paced, so we continue to enhance our team to ensure we can provide the specialist skills and expertise required.

Alasdair Douglas

Chairman

Alasdair Douglas
Chairman

Alasdair is a leading figure in London’s legal and professional services sector. Previous roles include chairing Aviate Global LLP, the international stockbroking business, the City of London Law Society, and NGO, The Tree Council. For 25 years, he was a corporate tax lawyer, including stints as Managing Partner and, latterly, Senior Partner, with Travers Smith. He currently chairs the solicitors' pro bono charity, LawWorks, and co-chairs the Conservative Party Business and Entrepreneurs Forum. Alasdair has extensive experience in dealing with regulators, government departments, legal and professional services businesses, private equity businesses, fund managers and regulated entities.

Email: alasdair.douglas@drdpartnership.com

Claire Davidson

Partner

Claire Davidson
Partner

A co-founder of DRD Partnership, Claire has worked across a wide spectrum of sectors, delivering strategic communications programmes in over 100 countries, across Europe, North America, Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East. At board and trustee level, she advises clients on value protection, risk mitigation, issues management, crisis management and litigation communications. Cases supported include applications to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, The Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal in the Hague. She also provides guidance on historic and current safeguarding issues as well as DE&I. A trained mediator, Claire works with advocacy groups in the EU, the US and in other international markets.

Email: claire.davidson@drdpartnership.com

Lawrence Dore

Partner

Lawrence Dore
Partner

Lawrence is a leading corporate communications specialist with a track record as an analyst, in City PR and in investor relations. Co-founding DRD Partnership in 2012, Lawrence previously worked at Brunswick and as Head of Financial and Corporate PR at Marks and Spencer Group plc. In addition to his leadership role at DRD, Lawrence now advises a range of clients with a particular focus on litigation, risk preparedness, ESG reporting, crisis and reputation management.

Email: lawrence.dore@drdpartnership.com

Kate Miller

Partner

Kate Miller
Partner

A lawyer by training, Kate has over 20 years’ experience advising corporates, institutions and individuals on a broad range of critical communications issues. Her areas of focus include litigation communications, reputation and crisis management, media and stakeholder relations, profile building, safeguarding and cyber. Kate started her career as a litigator at law firm Allen & Overy in London, qualifying in 1997. In 2000 she moved into communications, spending the first 12 years at Brunswick specialising in financial communication for corporates, including mergers and acquisitions, financial calendar, corporate positioning, stakeholder engagement, crisis and litigation. Since 2012 she has focused on reputation management for companies, institutions and private clients, with many of her clients having an international footprint across diverse geographies.

Email: kate.miller@drdpartnership.com

Jon McLeod

Partner

Jon McLeod
Partner

Jon specialises in regulatory policy challenges and has advised businesses and individuals on political relations, corporate governance, dispute resolution and reputation management. Bringing connections across political parties, the law and industry sectors, as well as particular knowledge of communications challenges arising from competition and anti-trust matters, where he has worked alongside leading legal firms in a wide range of transactions and investigations, Jon leads DRD’s competition and anti-trust practice. In 2021, Jon delivered the launch of the Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS).Previously he was a Partner and Head of Public Affairs at Brunswick. Before that, Jon spent 21 years at Weber Shandwick, latterly as chair of its UK corporate, financial and public affairs practice, and of its Manchester office. Clients counselled include those in sports business, media, heavy industry, raw materials, technology, life sciences, leisure, trade and professional services.

Email: Jon.McLeod@drdpartnership.com

Nathan Ashley

Senior Associate

Nathan Ashley
Senior Associate

Nathan Ashley is a public policy and communications expert with over 10 years’ experience. Before joining DRD, Nathan was the Head of Strategic Policy at Voi Technology, covering safety, sustainability and social value across eleven countries for Europe’s fastest growing micromobility transport provider. Prior to this, Nathan worked for the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, as an Adviser and for Transport for London (TfL). Whilst at TfL Nathan worked on several environmental and innovation projects which included ULEZ, connected autonomous vehicles, drones, and Mobility as a Service (MaaS). In addition, he has led on the development of numerous strategies which includes the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, the Environment Strategy, the Smart London Plan, the Culture Strategy, and the London Plan.

Email: Nathan.Ashley@drdpartnership.com

Kathryn Barnes

Business Operations

Kathryn Barnes
Business Operations

Kathryn has over a decade’s experience working in marketing and administration roles in the UK and South Africa. With a degree in Communications Management, she has previously undertaken roles at leading brands and firms, including Standard Chartered and Marsh & Parsons. At DRD she is responsible for office management and administration as well as events management and marketing support.

Email: Kathryn.Barnes@drdpartnership.com

Rupert Bhatia

Senior Associate

Rupert Bhatia
Senior Associate

Rupert went into strategic communications after an 8-year stint as a senior broadcast journalist at the BBC and LBC. Since then, he has worked at leading boutique agencies, specialising in crisis and issues management, senior-level media coaching and corporate positioning. His sector expertise includes financial and professional services, tech and real estate. Rupert has a post-graduate Diploma in Journalism and is a visiting Lecturer at the London College of Communications.

Email: rupert.bhatia@drdpartnership.com

Dulcie Brennan

Senior Analyst

Dulcie Brennan
Senior Analyst

Dulcie is a communications specialist who supports a range of clients, with a particular focus on litigation, regulation and crisis issues management. Dulcie has worked with global organisations, member associations, and high-net-worth individuals to develop communications strategies, manage reputational issues and navigate change. She graduated with a law degree from the University of Manchester and then completed the LPC at distinction grade with the University of Law. Her experience before DRD ranges from campaigning for a local MP to interning at a number of leading public affairs companies and law firms.

Email: Dulcie.Brennan@drdpartnership.com

James Browne

Senior Associate

James Browne
Senior Associate

James focuses on crisis, litigation, international and public affairs. He previously worked at a public affairs consultancy, working across geopolitical, public affairs and corporate issues. James acted as a speechwriter and analyst for a G20 Cabinet Minister and a MENA Central Bank. He has also advised listed clients of all sizes on effective communication with the capital markets. James was previously a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Navy.

Email: james.browne@drdpartnership.com

Anna Cacciaguerra Ranghieri

Senior Associate

Anna Cacciaguerra Ranghieri
Senior Associate

Anna works in DRD’s Crisis and Litigation practice, having advised major global corporates, multi-jurisdictional litigations, philanthropic organisations, international governments and agencies. She works closely with legal counsel, and specialises in the education sector, having advised numerous well-known schools in navigating the Everyone’s Invited movement exposing peer-on-peer sexual abuse, alongside major safeguarding crises, employment matters, investigations, criminal proceedings and transactions. She recently advised a major university group facing a high-profile employment tribunal, concerning matters around discrimination, freedom of belief and gender identity. Prior to her work in the communications sector, Anna worked in Westminster for an MP. Anna holds a degree in Modern Languages from the University of Durham, and speaks French and Italian.

Phone: +44 (0) 7903884558

Email: anna.cacciaguerra@drdpartnership.com

Toby Chapman

Associate

Toby Chapman
Associate

Toby supports clients in crisis and reputation management, communications campaigns and public affairs engagement. He joined DRD from HM Treasury, where he was a policy advisor delivering strategic advice to UK government ministers. Toby has also provided research and analytical support for House of Commons select committees, and political intelligence and advice on communication strategies for companies across a wide array of sectors, including technology firms, charitable foundations, and venture capital firms. Prior to joining the Treasury, Toby worked at the National Audit Office, conducting financial investigations. Toby holds a BA in History from the University of Oxford, and an MSc in Public Policy from University College London.

Email: Toby.Chapman@drdpartnership.com

Iona Cross

Senior Analyst

Iona Cross
Senior Analyst

Iona is an analyst who works across a variety of clients, focusing on litigation and crisis management. Prior to joining DRD, Iona completed a BA Politics degree at The University of Edinburgh, where she focused on UK Party Politics. Iona gained experience volunteering in Tim Farron MP’s office while he was leader of the Liberal Democrats. She maintains an active interest in political life and is a member of the Labour Party.

Email: Iona.Cross@drdpartnership.com

Freddie Eltringham

Analyst

Freddie Eltringham
Analyst

Freddie supports a range of clients across DRD’s core practice areas, with a particular interest in public affairs and issue-based crisis management. He has worked with global organisations, governing bodies, third-sector institutions, and high-net-worth individuals to help deliver complex communications strategies and navigate a changing political climate. Before joining DRD, his experience ranges from insight schemes in Government departments and leading City law firms. He holds a BA in Politics and Philosophy from Durham University, where he specialised in US political campaigns. Freddie maintains an active engagement in Westminster and is a member of the Labour Party.

Email: Frederick.Eltringham@drdpartnership.com

Jonny Harris

Senior Associate

Jonny Harris
Senior Associate

Jonny trained as a lawyer and worked for divorce lawyers Vardags, where he helped advise a wide range of clients involved in contentious reputational, privacy and family disputes. Prior to this, Jonny was at the press regulator IPSO. This role included handling issues arising from intrusive media enquiries from journalists and paparazzi, providing pre-publication advice journalists on their code of conduct, and managing press complaints. He was also involved in the ‘Phone Hacking’ litigation, while a paralegal at Atkins Thomson (now Thomson Heath) and undertook a long internship at the pressure group Hacked Off. Jonny studied History at the University of Sussex, before completing his GDL at the University of Law and the LPC at BPP.

Email: jonathan.harris@drdpartnership.com

Viktor Koleda

Senior Associate

Viktor Koleda
Senior Associate

Viktor supports a variety of clients at DRD, with a particular focus on crisis, litigation and international projects. He works with global corporates, high-net worth individuals and professional bodies to develop communications strategies, manage reputational issues and navigate change. Prior to joining DRD, Viktor interned in a City PR firm, a global strategic communications consultancy, and a PR start-up. Viktor holds a first-class History degree from Durham University and an MSc with Distinction in Politics and Communication from the London School of Economics. Originally from Novosibirsk, he is a native Russian speaker and also speaks German.

Email: Viktor.Koleda@drdpartnership.com

Sophia Meadows

Analyst

Sophia Meadows
Analyst

Sophia works across DRD’s core practice areas after supporting public affairs clients during DRD’s internship programme. She graduated in 2023 from the University of Bristol with a First-Class BA in Philosophy where she focused on the philosophy of economics and health with a research interest in applying these to UK public policy. Prior to becoming an Analyst at DRD, Sophia gained experience interning at the Science Media Centre, which is based at the Wellcome Collection. There she developed a thorough understanding of science communications, supporting a team who work between the scientific community and UK national news media to ensure coverage is evidenced and accurate. Sophia has a fine art Foundation Diploma from Loughborough University with her work receiving awards in national competitions.

Email: sophia.meadows@drdpartnership.com

Samuel Piña

Senior Analyst

Samuel Piña
Senior Analyst

Sam works across a range of clients, with a particular focus on public affairs and crisis management. He gained political experience as a Parliamentary Assistant intern for a Conservative Party MP, providing research assistance and building relationships with key political stakeholders. Sam also completed an internship at the Instituto Matías Romero, the diplomatic academy of the Mexican government. There, he gained a thorough understanding of international affairs and developed his Spanish language skills in a professional environment. Prior to joining DRD, Sam completed a First-Class BSc degree in Politics and International Relations at the University of Southampton, achieving the Dean’s List Award for academic excellence during his studies.

Email: samuel.pina@drdpartnership.com

Michael Rose

Senior Associate

Michael Rose
Senior Associate

Michael Rose has spent more than ten years working across politics, media and corporate affairs. He works with clients to use media and political engagement to achieve tangible results. He joined DRD after five years at a leading strategic communications consultancy, working with both UK and international corporate clients on acquisitions, market entry and crisis management projects. He previously coordinated efforts to enhance the UK construction industries’ policy engagement on trade. Michael also has parliamentary and policy experience, having worked at a leading UK trade association and in the office of Mel Stride MP, now Work and Pensions Secretary.

Email: michael.rose@drdpartnership.com

Oliver Simpson

Analyst

Oliver Simpson
Analyst

Oliver works across DRD’s core practice areas, with a particular focus on crisis & reputation management and on public affairs. Prior to joining DRD, Oliver gained experience in communications and government relations through his work in the voluntary sector on domestic and international advocacy projects. Oliver holds an MSc in Human Rights from LSE and a BA from the University of Warwick in Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Email: oliver.simpson@drdpartnership.com

Gina Watson

Analyst

Gina Watson
Analyst

Gina graduated in 2022 with a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bath. During her degree, Gina completed an industrial placement year at a leading management consultancy, working predominantly in their ESG team helping shape the firm's corporate strategy and communicate this both across the business and externally. Gina also gained political and communications experience interning as a Parliamentary Assistant for a shadow frontbench MP, as well as at an award-winning media agency.

Email: gina.watson@drdpartnership.com

Tamlin Vickers

Senior Advisor

Tamlin Vickers
Senior Advisor

Tamlin Vickers is based in Brussels where he advises on EU regulatory affairs and market entry. He was previously director of Atlas Capital Group, a boutique investment advisory firm providing high-level advice to western banks, corporations and family offices on entering China; as well as assisting Chinese conglomerates on expansion into Europe. Prior to that, Tamlin worked at Amec plc, a leading engineering consultancy specialising in the oil and gas market, where he advised senior management on the European economic and political landscape, and on business opportunities in the Far East. Tamlin has also worked in the European Corporate Affairs Division of Tesco plc and as Senior Advisor to a member of the UK Parliament’s European Scrutiny Committee. He read Law and French Law in London and Paris before completing a Master’s in European Governance at the London School of Economics.

Email: tamlin.vickers@drdpartnership.com

Rachel Wells

Senior Advisor

Rachel Wells
Senior Advisor

Rachel is an experienced Brussels-based strategic communications advisor, with a multi-sector track record in corporate affairs and reputation management. Having previously worked at GSK as Communications Director for their global supply chain, Rachel has accrued over 20 years' senior professional experience working in corporate communications, engagement and partnerships in the FTSE 100, including at Vodafone and Britvic PLC. She read English Literature at Leeds University and also holds an MA from the University of Toronto in Canada.

Email: rachel.wells@drdpartnership.com