Alex Monro

I am a senior communications lead now looking for a director or vp role. I enjoy and have extensive experience in developing corporate communications strategies; board and executive advisory; translating complexity in highly regulated, multi-stakeholder environments; editorial and media engagement; and RI/ESG/Sustainability communications. I like managing a communications function, including budget and agency spend. I also particularly like working for values-driven companies.

Head of Communications at Brunel Pension Partnership (2020-01 – Present)

Accountable for communications strategy & function for RI leader (£37bn AUM)

• Set first Brunel-wide Communications Strategy, aligning long-term priorities & narrative with corporate direction, RI priorities – presented to Board & ExCo
• Led values consultation, brand review; set strategic narrative via integrated comms, clear messaging, data-driven platform & media choices (2024 users: LinkedIn +25%, website +61%; external TV studio platform; select media targets)
• Directed strategic/tactical initiatives (How We Invest, Invest Map, Year in Review), raising stakeholder grasp of organisational purpose/impact (positive KPIs)
• Brunel representative on National Wealth Fund Taskforce Sherpa Group, contributing Brunel/CIO views to cross-government discussions
• Drafted & edited policy submissions/letters to government departments
• Represented Brunel in engagement with campaign groups on policy positions
• Owned corporate narrative in complex governance, regulatory environment
• Executive crisis advisory: set crisis policy and responses (e.g. Russia 2022)
• Advised and prepared senior leaders for panels, talks, Town Halls; hosted and ran media training sessions for Board, spokespeople; speechwriting for Execs
• Established materials bank (e.g. case studies) to support messaging priorities
• Delivered integrated media & events strategy to maximise RI profile
• Relations with national & industry outlets led to coverage (The Times, Reuters, Bloomberg) & industry understanding (Room151/NZI, IPE, LGC)
• Advanced Brunel ambition for RI industry change via conference strategy (100+/year); awards focus (10+ Europe-wide IPE awards); key publications
• Led integrated comms function; hired & managed Comms Consultant, enabled development; recruited project teams; engaged staff as ambassadors
• Managed procurement, budget (contractors, agency spend), rebrand scoping

Investment Communications Consultant at St James's Place (2015-01 – 2020-12)

• Appointed & led short-term project teams for training and to deliver campaigns (Behavioural Finance; Kids & Money), aligning content, compliance, product
• Directed strategic messaging, weekly editorial meetings (B2C/B2B channels); communicated investment approach to 1000s of advice businesses + clients
• Translated economic, regulatory, geopolitical developments into actionable, clear insights for diverse audiences, both UK and international, aiding advisers' regulatory obligations and client decision-making
• Strengthened governance and client trust through accurate, compliant, timely reporting across multiple quarterly/annual reports on global markets/investing
• Flagship WeekWatch (to 110,000); Hosted client-asset manager conferences

Communications Officer at Somerville College, University of Oxford (2013-01 – 2015-12)

• Delivered new website: governance, procurement, budget, delivery; chaired SM meetings, managed consultation (targeted non-Oxford-type applicants)
• Advised College Principal and senior management on strategic positioning, public engagement and reputation management in multinational College
• Buttressed governance & accountability via communication of initiatives, research, fundraising needs – publications & website editorial
• Communications for major bodies (£200m Thatcher Trust, OICSD)

Trainee at Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia (2011-01 – 2013-12)

• Directed youth camp leadership team (40 kids), led services (≤400 people), rest home visits, p/t study (texts/talks) – in post-earthquakes Christchurch

PhD in History (1920s Chinese radicals) – Bristol University (2017-01 – 2025-12)

MPhil in Chinese (mandarin, politics) – Cambridge University (2002-01 – 2004-12)

BA in Modern European Languages – Durham University (1997-01 – 2001-12)