The Bell Pottinger Group has recruited Alex Woolfall as its new Head of Issues & Crisis Management.
With 20 years experience of in-house and consultancy roles, Alex brings a wealth of issues and crisis expertise to Bell Pottinger, where he will report to David Wilson, Chairman of Bell Pottinger Public Relations and Kevin Murray, Chairman of the Bell Pottinger Group.
Says David Wilson: “We already have a compelling offer for companies in crisis and for those individuals or organisations with the foresight to plan for challenges they will undoubtedly face. In Alex we have an expert in issues planning and crisis response who will draw upon the strengths and talent from across the Bell Pottinger Group.”
Alex Woolfall adds: “Bell Pottinger is serious about the business of issues planning and crisis response. It is second to none in helping clients to plan for, defend against and then recover and revive their brands from damaging situations. I look forward to playing my part in the development of our proposition and our client base.”
Alex was previously Managing Director of Issues and Crisis Management at Hill & Knowlton, heading a team of seven, and oversaw its media training business. Alex provided issues and crisis counsel, as well as training and preparedness programmes for a wide range of clients across multiple industry sectors.
His experience covers product contamination and sabotage; death and serious injury in the workplace; redundancy, administration and Chapter 11 announcements; regulatory breaches and fines; sex discrimination and whistle-blowing cases; fraud and theft; pension fund deficits; use of child labour; medical negligence and a wide range of other controversial issues.
Alex joins Bell Pottinger from Weber Shandwick where he was Head of Issues and Crisis Management, as well client lead on Coca-Cola.
He began his career as a graduate trainee at National Grid before moving to ABTA (the Association of British Travel Agents) to become Deputy Head of Public Relations and then moved into consultancy at Bell Pottinger Good Relations, where he notably lead on Monsanto during the controversial introduction of genetically modified food.
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For more information call:
David Wilson +44 (0) 207 861 2445
Alex Woolfall +44 (0) 207 861 2513
Notes to editors
For more information on the Bell Pottinger Group visit: www.bell-pottinger.co.uk
Bell Pottinger’s 24 hour Crisis Hotline + 44 (0) 207 861 3916
