Caviar Express - who wouldn't you work for?

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, UK-based consultants were placed in the national spotlight for ties to Russian entities.

The press focused on how consultants in the law and PR for example, had made millions, on the ‘Caviar Express’ through ties to Russian oligarchs. For many years the PR industry has been accused of having a grubbier side, looking to unduly profit by reputation washing those less than savoury characters with large wallets.

An easy target now, but Bell Pottinger was very much of that ilk, operating at the very edge and all too often crossing the line, resulting in its demise. And yet, if people, and firms deserve their day in court, to put across their version of events, then so too do they in the court of public opinion. And just as they need their legal experts, so they need communications advisors. Surely that is the sign of a fair and well-functioning democracy?

The Little Questions podcast is presented by Matt Young and Andrew Brown. 

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Matt Young is an Apella founder partner with 25 years of experience in corporate affairs. He was Corporate Affairs Director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.

Apella partner Andrew Brown is a former Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Ageas Insurance. He has more than ten years’ experience leading the corporate affairs functions for global firms across a range of regulated and unregulated sectors, developing considerable experience in issues, crisis and change management. Formerly Director of Communications at Drax Group plc and Group Corporate Affairs Director at Regus plc.

This podcast was produced by The Podcast Coach