Who we are

Robert Phillips

Communications, Leadership, Trust

Robert has spent thirty years at the top of the global communications industry as adviser, author and CEO and is known for his challenging and future-facing views. He launched his first company while at university (marketing bridalwear) and then – at the age of 23 – co-founded Jackie Cooper PR, the agency behind some of the most iconic brand campaigns of the late twentieth century, including the legendary Wonderbra work and the launch of Snapple, Daewoo, PlayStation and O2. He has provided counsel at Board/ExCo level for a number of global companies and brands, including: Aviva, Diageo KPMG, Microsoft, Shell, Sony and Unilever.

Having sold JCPR, Robert became CEO of Edelman, the world’s largest Public Relations firm, in the UK and subsequently across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. He was also Global Chair of the firm’s Public Engagement & Future Strategies group and a contributor to the Edelman Trust Barometer from 2006 to 2012.

While at Edelman, Robert had an epiphany: PR was dead and the business model was broken. He quit his job, published Trust Me, PR is Dead and then co-founded Jericho Chambers. Robert leads Jericho’s work on the global Responsible Tax project and the Future of Work is Human programme.

Robert is a Visiting Professor at Cass Business School, City, University of London, and is a regular public speaker and media commentator. He is co-author of Citizen Renaissance; an Associate at Centre for London; a Fellow of the PRCA; a Trustee of The Creative Society; and sits on the Advisory Board of the Forward Institute. He does not eat fish.