Career Summary
I joined Hume Brophy in 2008 and became Managing Director London in 2013. Previously, I worked at a number of other communications agencies in London and at one of the large management consultancies. I also spent time at the European Commission, lectured in European Politics and Economics and co-founded a magazine in China.
What academic/professional qualifications do you have?
Masters in History from Trinity College Dublin, including a year at Université Paris Sorbonne. I then carried out a Postgraduate Research Scholarship in History & Politics at Boston College before returning to Dublin to UCD to for a further Masters, and M.Econ.SC, Economics & Public Affairs
What does your current role entail on a day to day basis? As Managing Director, how do you split your time between managing the business and client work?
I enjoy my role so much because of the variety it provides; no two days are the same. For me, a large part of this enjoyment stems from being heavily involved in client work. I’m very hands on, giving clients around ¾ of my time, which I think is vital to driving results and ensuring client satisfaction – two key elements of our ethos at Hume Brophy.
Hume Brophy has been shortlisted as a Finalist in the Consultancy of the Year category of the Public Affairs Awards 2014: what does this recognition mean for your agency?
We’re very proud to be shortlisted as a Finalist in the Consultancy of the Year category of the Public Affairs Awards 2014. For us, this marks an industry recognition of the high standards and unparalleled growth that we – in addition to our clients and political stakeholders – have known about for a long time. We’re an unashamedly entrepreneurial firm with a bright, young, hardworking and ambitious team. In conjunction with our continued commitment to client delivery, this puts us in a great position heading into 2015.
With operations across the globe, how does Hume Brophy ensure joined up client delivery?
We’re a truly borderless agency which allows us to mould to our clients’ needs. In practical terms, we’re structured in international practices, enabling us to draw on the relevant expertise from across our offices as required. For example, Founding Partner Eoin Brophy leads the International Financial Services Practice, which is comprised of a team spanning all five Hume Brophy offices, providing a comprehensive and complementary skillset to clients.
What are the core pillars of the Hume Brophy ethos?
We build solid client relationships on our commitment to delivery, our energy and dedication, our creative approach to addressing client issues and above all, our straightforward attitude towards cost-effective campaigns.
What are the challenges facing the consultancy sector in the public affairs industry?
The perception of the industry by external stakeholders.
Which campaign/issue are you most proud to have been involved in?
I’ve been a part of so many great campaigns with some really talented consultants but there are some issues that stay with you. The cancer charities that we currently work with would be a good example of that – they bring home the value of the work you’re doing on a daily basis. Similarly, working with UN Women UK on the hugely important issue of the elimination of violence against women and girls was extremely rewarding campaign to be a part of.
What do you enjoy about working in public affairs?
Public affairs offers me variety, a daily challenge, the opportunity to fully understand often extremely complex business issues faced by clients and a means to meet an extraordinary cross section of interesting people.
You spent a year in the European Commission: what insights did this provide?
The European Commission is an institution full of hardworking, talented, multilingual people, however, there is a definite disconnect between EC officials and those on the ground in Europe.
What did you learn from your experiences in Boston, the Sorbonne and China?
Being surrounded by a different culture in a country where you don’t know anyone and you don’t speak the language forces you out of your comfort zone, making you learn a lot about yourself very quickly. It’s extremely rewarding to be able to immerse yourself in an alien environment, but it does have its challenges. The importance of adaptability, resilience and an open mind to try new things are all things I learned back then and that are still important.
What's your prediction for the 2015 General Election?
A coalition the shape of which has yet to be determined – no surprises there, but I’d anticipate Conservatives to be the largest party.
| Quick-Fire Round | |
|---|---|
| Which politician, past or present, would you like to be stuck in a lift with? What issues would you raise? | Pope Gregory VII or Ataturk. Church State relations. |
| LinkedIN or Twitter? | |
| Tweet your career-to-date in 140 characters or less | Run out of 6 countries before settling in London. Keen sportsman with more enthusiasm than talent now turned strategic communications consultant. |
| Favourite restaurant for a business lunch? | Maze. It’s a Gordon Ramsay restaurant and one of the last times I was there the great man himself deigned to say hello. The food is good but the service is really great. |
| What’s your Media diet? | As you’d expect working at a strategic communications agency, we’ve got to keep on top of pretty much everything so I get a good cross section of news in the morning through a whole host of forms. However, I’m religious when it comes to the FT, Irish Times, and the Telegraph for its sport pages. NYRB also great. |
| Favourite Film | A Parallax View, Advise and Consent, Network, Gladiator. |
| Guilty pleasure | Eternal Flame by The Bangles. Or Les Miserables. Classics! Or looking at Hello Magazine in a waiting room |