Crisis Council: PR crisis management for high-stakes moments

As CEO of Clarity Global, Rachel Gilley leads a global growth marketing and communications consultancy dedicated to solving complex challenges for B2B Tech brands. Based in London but operating globally, she oversees Clarity’s footprint across Europe, the US and APAC, fostering a culture of leadership excellence and collaboration across the global teams.

With over 30 years of expertise, Rachel has built a reputation for driving measurable growth whilst navigating the complexities of market integration to help B2B technology companies dominate their sectors.

Since joining Clarity in 2019, Rachel has been a driving force behind the agency’s rapid evolution, serving as UK Managing Director, European lead, and Chief Client Officer before being appointed CEO in January 2024.

A seasoned strategic powerhouse who has partnered with giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Oracle - as well as high-growth disruptors like WeWork, Zilch and Nest - Rachel remains a hands-on advisor to C-suite teams. Her laser focus on building brand authority and translating high-level business strategy into long-term commercial impact for the companies shaping the future of technology, is what excites her most.

Outside of her professional life, Rachel enjoys spending quality time with her family and their two dogs. When not travelling or obsessing about her next holiday, she can be found engrossed in a Scandi Noir series.

Tom has worked in digital marketing for nearly 25 years, holding a number of senior roles in both agencies and tech startups.

Starting his career during the .com boom, Tom's been fortunate to work at the forefront of continuous disruption in marketing, from Search to Social, and now AI, the continuous explosion in technology and data has continuously evolved.

At Clarity, Tom leads all of our global Growth Marketing and Creative teams, as well as integrated services like GEO. Throughout his career, integrating Communications and Marketing has been a continuous theme.

Away from the office, Tom is always outside, exploring Dartmoor with his wife and daughters, mucking about on the sea and (badly) maintaining their smallholding.

Nick spent 27 years as Founder and CEO of Political Intelligence, an international public affairs consultancy advising technology, telecoms, fintech and health clients on public policy. He also helped establish and lead a number of industry associations and coalitions including the Internet Services Providers’ Association in the UK and Europe, shaping the early regulatory framework for the internet. A confident media spokesperson, he has represented the internet and tech sectors on issues such as online safety, data security and broadband rollout.

Other sector coalitions he founded include the Health Tech Alliance and the Cybersecurity Business Network, bringing together industry, policymakers and other key stakeholders to address the adoption of digital, health tech and cybersecurity solutions. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in political advocacy at Queen Mary University of London.

At Clarity, Nick is President, Policy Communications & Board Director, acting as senior counsel and strategic campaigns adviser to leading companies in health, telecoms, cyber and fintech. He works closely with Boards and leadership teams to shape policy debates, manage risk and advise on effective communications with policymakers and regulators. Nick holds several non-executive and advisory positions in the health sector.

Outside work, Nick is based in London and maintains a long‑standing interest in European politics and languages, reflecting earlier roles in Brussels and across the EU. He is also an enthusiastic amateur potter and clay sculptor with a pottery studio in the back garden.

Robyn founded and led multi award-winning corporate communications firm Sefiani for over two decades prior to its acquisition by Clarity in 2023. Prior to that, she was Co-President Asia Pacific with Edelman, the world's largest communications firm, and sat on Edelman's global board.

Robyn is one of Australia's leading crisis and reputation management specialists, working with C-suites and Boards on reputation risk mitigation, crisis preparedness, response and management. Companies she has advised include EY, Airbus, CrowdStrike, BHP and Expedia. Robyn was named Australia's PR Leader of the Year in 2022.

As a senior executive of Clarity Global, Robyn continues to provide senior counsel to clients while also applying her considerable leadership, strategy and governance experience to her roles on the Clarity Global Board, ExCo, and Global Leadership Team. Robyn is also passionate about applying her professional skills to causes for societal benefit and helped achieve legislative change to protect Australians from the taking and sharing of intimate images without consent.

Outside of work, Robyn enjoys studying the Italian language and holidaying in Italy most years with her partner. She is also a keen walker and hiker, with the Dolomites now in her sights!

Raneisha is Clarity’s Group FD, having joined in September 2025. She leads the group’s financial strategy driving financial plans, investment decisions and performance frameworks that enable sustainable profitable growth.

As a strategic finance leader, Raneisha brings extensive experience in scaling agencies, shaping and executing acquisition strategies, leading post-deal integrations, and embedding data-led decision making across the business. She positions finance as an engine for change and innovation, providing teams with the insight to enable long‑term growth.

An avid gym-goer, enthusiastic rower, and relentlessly optimistic gardener. Raneisha spends her free time trying to convince a group of deeply unmotivated plants that growth is, in fact, part of their job. She insists motherhood is the one role that’s both wonderfully challenging and endlessly rewarding.

Liam has almost 20 years of integrated communications experience, working with global technology brands including Oracle, NetApp and EMC, as well as consumer names such as Canva, Clearscore and eBay.

He specialises in shaping clear, compelling narratives for complex businesses, particularly across tech, AI and innovation, helping clients stand out in fast-moving markets.

As Managing Partner, Europe at Clarity, Liam leads the communications, public affairs and digital marketing teams across London and Amsterdam, focused on growing the European business and advising clients at the highest level.

Outside of work, Liam has long prioritised travel, using his first pay cheque to begin exploring the world and continuing ever since. He loves arriving somewhere new and immersing himself in new environments and cultures. When in London, Liam enjoys taking advantage of everything cultural the city has to offer.

Mandy is a trusted advisor to leaders navigating complex reputation challenges. For more than 20 years she has developed and delivered integrated earned, owned, social and paid programmes that shift behaviour, help influence regulatory outcomes and protect brands in moments of high scrutiny.

Mandy is recognised for breaking down silos between corporate affairs, PR, marketing and digital teams to build one reputation story across every channel. A multi award‑winning agency leader and CPRA 2024 PR Leader of the Year, she brings a practical, people-first lens to her role as an agency leader.

Kristen is a results-oriented, AI-native marketing and communications executive with 20+ years of experience driving brand growth and reputation for global organisations. Her expertise spans B2B and B2C audiences across fintech/financial services, consumer technology, AI, and brand lifestyle sectors, with a strong record of c-suite counsel, major campaign activations, defining GTM strategy, and building integrated programs that deliver measurable business impact.

She leads both the US business and global social media strategy for Clarity, and is a founding member of the Clarity Global Crisis Council.

Kristen calls New York City home, so outside work you’ll find her soaking up all the culinary and cultural adventures the city has to offer.

Chloe has almost 15 years of communications experience across B2B and B2C technology, working with start-ups and global leaders including Time Out, Improbable, ClearScore, SurveyMonkey, Canva, and HubSpot. She has led multi-market hub programmes, managed agency networks and is known for building strong, long-term client relationships. She has a particular specialism in fintech and SaaS, combining a deep understanding of complex products with an instinct for clear, audience-first storytelling to deliver results that drive business impact and build brand reputation.

At Clarity, Chloe is a Partner in the UK Comms business, focusing on the operational health and commercial growth of the team while ensuring work consistently hits a high bar for strategic and creative excellence. She works closely with colleagues across Europe and the US to drive integrated, multi-market programmes for clients and to embed best practice in ways of working and new business across the agency.

Outside of work, Chloe is a keen cook and aspiring gardener, happiest when feeding a crowd or coaxing new life out of the latest batch of plants (only the survivors are on display). Based in Thame just outside Oxford, she loves any excuse to travel, seeking out holidays that combine great food, history and culture.

Louise has spent her career to date working in healthcare communications across a range of disease areas. She has a specialism in medical devices and market access, using media, public affairs and patient voices to drive greater adoption and use of devices and medicines across UK, EMEA and Global markets alongside a passion for direct to consumer communicatoins.

She sits in the London and Global leadership teams and is the owner of our office dog/chief barketing officer, Buddy. Outside of work Louise is a keen holiday-er, not traveller - there is a difference!

Kate is originally from Kraków, and after completing her Master’s degree in Business Management, moved to London. She has almost 20 years’ experience working in HR across a variety of sectors including publishing, telecoms and retail, before moving into the agency world and working with some big names such as Axiom, McCann and Weber Shandwick.

She is now Head of People & Culture at Clarity, where she focuses on building an inclusive, high-performing culture and supporting leaders and teams through growth and change.

Living in East London, close to the marshes and Epping Forest, Kate enjoys the best of city life with easy access to green space. She lives with her dog Bruce and spends as much time as she can outdoors, hiking and travelling. A keen road cyclist, she loves combining travel with time on the bike and has explored cycling destinations such as Lanzarote, Tenerife and Mallorca. Music is a big part of Kate’s life and her happy place is at a summer festival, ideally on a beach.

Michael is an international communications expert with more than 30 years’ experience, having worked across Europe, the US, Asia and the Americas. A former journalist and press officer at the European Union and Amnesty International, he brings deep institutional and media insight to his client work.

He specialises in corporate communications, thought leadership & messaging development, executive coaching and crisis communications. He has advised brands including Salesforce, Sage, Securitas, ACCA, Nextdoor, BT, BAE Systems, ChargePoint, Palo Alto Networks, Pret a Manger, Boeing, Microsoft and Luxottica. Michael is also a regular speaker and moderator at global industry events and is frequently featured in industry media discussing emerging trends in corporate communications.

At Clarity, Michael leads corporate communications programmes, setting strategies for clients, providing executive coaching and offering crisis management counsel. As part of the Clarity Intelligence Unit, he works closely with strategy and planning, market intelligence and analytics specialists to shape data-led communications strategies.

Based in London, he has developed a truly international perspective through his work and travels. He is fluent in English, Swedish and French and holds a BA in Journalism from Cardiff University. Michael is married with two daughters and coaches a 20-strong girls’ grassroots football team, Girls for Goals, helping to expand opportunities for girls to play and enjoy the game. At home, he’s a committed wine enthusiast and has been building his collection for over 30 years.

Iain Russell is a senior digital and transformation leader with over 20 years’ experience across digital, creative and marketing agencies. He has held leadership roles including Managing Director, COO and CTO, leading multidisciplinary teams and helping organisations scale their capabilities and commercial performance.

He specialises in digital operating models, delivery transformation and the practical application of data, technology and AI to improve how teams work. Iain is particularly focused on simplifying complexity, strengthening accountability and building sustainable, high-performing teams.

At Clarity, Iain leads the UK digital practice, working across performance marketing, digital experience and content production. He focuses on evolving digital capability, improving planning and delivery and helping teams create measurable impact for clients and drive sustainable business growth.

Originally from South Wales and now based near Brighton, Iain enjoys walking his dog along the Sussex coast or in the South Downs, often using the time to think through new ideas. A self-confessed geek with a love of creativity, he brings the same curiosity and energy to his hobbies as he does to his work.

Andrew has spent the last twenty years devising and executing public affairs strategies for corporates, SMEs, charities and trade associations. A subject matter expert in internet, cyber and telecoms policy, he is often found speaking at industry events, and has worked across many other sectors across his career.

A political geek at heart, Andrew helps organisations understand and shape policy, working closely with public professionals and C-suite alike. He knows the ins and outs of trade associations as well as anyone, having run and established leading industry groups.

Outside of work, Andrew keeps busy by running after his young daughter at weekends, running half marathons, and adding to his vinyl collection.

Marie is a brand and creative leader with over 15 years of experience shaping brand strategy, identity and storytelling for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Amazon, Uber and FIS.

She excels at leading big-picture ideation and turning data-driven insights into bold, integrated campaigns that elevate B2B brands and deliver business growth.

Marie is a mum of three, a total foodie, an outdoor lover and a keen netball player.

For more than 25 years, Robin has helped brands devise and implement insight-driven strategies to power game-changing programmes that connect people and business objectives.

A self-described process geek, he thrives in organisational complexity, reconnects functional silos, and strives to place audiences at the centre of every messaging and channel ecosystem. He has worked with roughly 10% of the S&P 100 and 20% of the FTSE 100, as well as start-ups, scale-ups, trade associations, governments, and international bodies. Teaching and mentoring have been central to his career: he has built specialist multi-market, multi-disciplinary teams at global agencies and continues to teach part-time at leading universities. Robin holds postgraduate degrees in sociology, communications, and law.

He has also travelled to more than 55 countries and is an award-winning photographer.

Prior to Clarity, Phil worked across SEO, Paid Media, and ecommerce, leading agency teams for household brands such as Lidl, Argos, Nectar, and Direct Line.

At Clarity, the team led by Phil helps clients understand the effectiveness and efficiency of their marketing; providing solutions that deliver actionable insights that can be directly translated into business growth.

Phil lives in Devon, and is often found on Dartmoor with his collie.

Thomas has spent the last 10 years working with B2B tech, SaaS, fintech, travel and logistics brands to turn search insight into smarter marketing and commercial decisions.

He has a specialism in search visibility, building integrated strategies that grow discoverability across the funnel and connect organic performance to revenue and pipeline.

Outside of work, Thomas is most often at a gig or cooking, always on the lookout for new artists to discover and new recipes to try.

Arlieke previously worked as an Operations Manager at a B2B PR agency focused on the tech sector. Her specialisms lie in B2B tech communications and crisis communications, where she helps organisations navigate high‑pressure situations and communicate clearly with their stakeholders. She is particularly experienced in translating complex technologies into compelling, accessible stories.

As Vice President in the Netherlands at Clarity, Arlieke oversees the day‑to‑day running of the Dutch operations, both for the team and for clients. She works closely with clients on strategy, messaging and reputation, while ensuring the team has the support and structure they need to do their best work.

Outside of work, Arlieke loves to travel and has explored many parts of the world. She is also an avid reader – in winter you’ll find her on the sofa with a book and a cup of tea, and in summer she’ll be reading outside, enjoying the sun.

Matt is Clarity's Head of Development, bringing over 12 years of agency experience and a first-class computing degree to the team. Having joined the agency in 2017, he has spent more than six years leading the development team, specialising in architecting bespoke, enterprise-grade WordPress solutions. Drawing on a vast background of building and troubleshooting hundreds of websites, Matt can confidently tackle almost any technical brief, driving project strategy, complex scoping, technical standards, and QA across large-scale builds.

Away from the screen, he loves going on adventures outdoors with his son Noah. He has also recently swapped his keyboard for the oche, taking up darts as his newest hobby.