Our team

  • With over eight years of global communications experience, Ben has advised a broad range of clients in sectors such as private equity, fintech, biotech, femtech, and legal services across North America, Europe, the GCC, and Africa. Ben excels at crafting tailored communication strategies that support private capital investors and high-growth companies navigating complex emerging markets.

    Ben holds a degree in History and Ancient History from the University of Exeter.

  • Elly Higgins is an experienced strategic communications advisor and Associate Director at Thoburns, with a strong track record of supporting high-growth technology and private capital-backed companies through international expansion. With nearly a decade of experience, she has advised innovative businesses on cross-border growth strategies, complex stakeholder engagement, and reputation management across global markets. 

    Elly has played a key role in guiding companies as they scale into new jurisdictions, particularly in navigating the commercial, regulatory, and geopolitical dynamics of the US and other international markets. Her deep understanding of how to position transformative businesses for success on the global stage makes her a valuable partner to clients facing the challenges and opportunities of rapid growth and internationalisation.

  • Georgi joined Thoburns in 2022, where she advises clients in venture capital, private equity, asset management, AI, and fintech.

    Drawing on her legal training from Durham University, Georgi supports clients across high-growth sectors with strategic communications that drive investor confidence and brand equity in fast-moving global markets.

  • Jake, who joined Thoburns in 2023, advises clients across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America.

    With experience spanning sectors like fintech, biotech, and law, Jake specialises in helping high-growth companies and investors navigate complex stakeholder landscapes in emerging markets.

    Prior to joining Thoburns, Jake worked as an accredited sports journalist and editor. He holds a degree in History from University College London.

  • Since joining Thoburns in 2021, Johanna has supported clients in the GCC, Africa, and Europe, with a focus on venture capital, fintech, digital health, and sustainability.

    She leverages her background in Politics and American Studies from the University of Nottingham to design and implement corporate communications strategies that resonate with investors and stakeholders in emerging markets.

    Johanna has also worked for an agency specialising in technology and healthcare communications and has interned at a Think Tank and a strategic communications consultancy firm.

  • Matt joined Thoburns from TP ICAP, a FTSE 250 financial services firm, where he led corporate communications projects for the firm. He has worked with a diverse array of clients, from startups to established players, in sectors including financial services, technology, education, transport, and sport. Matt’s experience in crisis management, media relations, and content creation makes him a trusted advisor to investors and companies navigating high-growth, high-risk markets.

    Matt holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University.

  • Nick is a financial and corporate communications specialist with 25 years’ advisory experience. He joined Thoburns in October 2017 from Bell Pottinger where he spent 13 years and was a Partner in the Financial & Corporate division.

    He started his career at Deloitte in audit, and has gone on to advise companies across all sectors from start-ups to FTSE100s on: IPOs, M&A, crisis, activist investor and Foreign Direct Investment campaigns.

  • Pepper is Operations Director at Thoburns and has worked closely with chairman, Richard Thoburn – since 2011 – on all aspects of growing the agency. In addition to working for Thoburns, Pepper is a trustee for Burnie’s Foundation, an animal charity which owns a sanctuary in Norfolk and rescues dogs from Romania.

    Before that, Pepper began her career in the US pharmaceutical industry working – in operations – for Hemispherx Biopharma Inc, a manufactuer of clinical drugs.

  • Richard founded Thoburns in 1986 as a communications agency focused on emerging markets. In 2011, he expanded the firm through the acquisition of Greentarget Strategic Communications, a financial and corporate PR agency with deep expertise in banking and market structures. Greentarget was sold in 2019, and Richard redefined Thoburns’ offering to provide a more integrated approach to communications, strategically advising high-growth companies and investors across dynamic global markets.

    Richard completed the prestigious Owner/President Management (OPM) programme at Harvard Business School, where he remains well-connected. He is also a founder trustee of Burnie’s Foundation, an animal charity dedicated to alleviating animal suffering.

  • Sheena has over 15 years of experience advising private and listed companies across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia on corporate reputation and financial communications. She specialises in high-profile fundraising, restructuring, and cross-border transactions.

    Prior to joining Thoburns, Sheena led external communications for Asia’s fastest-growing life insurer, FWD, ahead of its proposed US and Hong Kong listing and headed the corporate communications function for Hyphen Group (now MoneyHero Group) ahead of its US listing via SPAC. Sheena’s expertise positions her as a trusted advisor to investors in emerging markets navigating complex corporate environments.

    Sheena has also worked for international communications consultancies, Brunswick and FGS Group, advising on corporate communications for major companies across the globe.

  • Simran joined Thoburns in September 2022. She advises private equity, venture capital and portfolio companies in a variety of sectors, guiding them through their communications and media strategies.

    She holds a Master's degree in Social Anthropology from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Durham University. Before joining Thoburns, Simran gained valuable experience through internships in publishing and within several law firms, where she developed a keen understanding of communications across diverse sectors.

  • Mark brings over 30 years of experience in journalism and media training, having worked as a political correspondent and bureau chief for ITN and The Financial Times.

    His extensive media background enables him to provide invaluable counsel to companies in emerging markets seeking to optimise media engagement. Mark’s experience spans Africa and Eastern Europe, where he has developed tailored communications strategies for investors and growth companies seeking market penetration.

    Mark has also delivered a wide range of media training programmes in his time working for the Thomson Foundation, with extensive experience in Africa and Eastern Europe.

  • Brian is a seasoned communications and public affairs expert with nearly 40 years of experience advising both corporate and government clients. He is frequently featured on TV and radio, including regular appearances on Newsnight and Sky.

    Brian has written extensively, with columns in The Scotsman since 2009 and contributions to The Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, and Mail on Sunday. His deep political insight and media expertise make him a key advisor to high-profile clients seeking to strengthen their public presence in volatile markets.

    Brian has served in both the Scottish and European parliaments, offering valuable political insight to investors in the evolving regulatory landscapes of emerging markets.

  • With over ten years of experience in media and communications, Natalia is a specialist in financial and corporate communications.

    Her expertise lies in advising fintech unicorns, startups, and publicly listed companies on navigating complex financial markets, communicating with investors, and managing high-stakes transactions.

    She previously worked as a financial journalist at Mergermarket, covering major financial deals and market developments.

  • Nadine brings over eight years of specialised experience in Arabic media relations. She has worked as a media consultant for the Arab Foundations Forum and as an Account Director for WHAT'S UP?, a Lebanese entertainment platform. Nadine’s expertise in Arabic-language communications supports companies and investors looking to build their brand and reputation in MENA and other emerging markets.

    Nadine studied Psychology at Le Collège Notre Dame des Frères.

“The only thing worse than too much confrontation is no confrontation at all.”

Robert Sutton