Master communicator Sarah Wait, director of forward planning services at Kantar, Media Division oversaw the election on 15 July resulting in the following senior appointments:

• Master elect: Deborah Oliver, director engagement and communications at British Medical Association

• Senior warden elect: James Gurling, joint head of public affairs, Engine/mhp

• Middle warden Elect: Mark Glover, founder and chief executive, Newington Communications

  and executive director, SEC Newgate

• Junior warden elect: Neil Griffiths, global inclusion lead at Environmental Resources

  Management

Additionally, Shraddha Kaul, director of external affairs at the British Poultry Council was confirmed chair of the company’s communications committee, while Matt Fincham, founder and director of Finch PR, was appointed chair of the military affiliations committee.

The election court also saw the election of seven freemen (members) to serve on the court as court assistants:

• Anne Donoghue, non-executive director, Bonhill Group plc, founder & CEO Square Events 

• Sarah Jurado, director of communications, the Goldsmiths' Company

• Dan Large, Westminster political adviser and director, By&Large Campaign Strategy

• Jeremy Mooney, director communications and brand, Institute of the Chartered Accountants

  in England and Wales

• Helen Moore, media relations manager, Chartered Insurance Institute

• Rosie Stone, Perlucid LLP and course director human security, UK Defence Academy

• Matthew West, founder and director, CMI Analytics

The Company of Communicators also held an installation ceremony to welcome the following new freemen of the company:

• Morgan Brobyn, British Egg Industry Council head of public affairs

• Carole Foster, BBC Network News field producer

• Tim Wainwright, senior manager (relationships & strategic projects) in the Office of the Lord Mayor, City of London.

   

Wait says, “I am delighted that so many highly quality candidates put themselves forward to serve the company and its members. The company has made great strides in recent years to support the diversity of the communications profession including the adoption of an election process which sets out to ensure we reduced unconscious bias in our decision making.”

Oliver adds, “I am so pleased to have been elected to lead the company – the seventh woman to do so – over our 20th year history. Sarah has provided a real drive and passion for the company and I will be building on the improvements she has delivered. Our focus is to promote the profession, to be active within the City livery movement, to raise funds for our charitable trust and to enjoy a wide range of events. There is a lot to be achieved and we have a terrific court in place to do just that.”