Five consultants with extensive global expertise join Highgate’s fast-growing team

Former television correspondent and Government Chief Communications Officer Jenny Wright and Number 10 Special Advisor Jonny Piper bring additional media and digital expertise from Washington DC and London to Highgate’s rapidly expanding team.

In addition, public affairs specialist Toby Tanner arrives with an in-depth knowledge of the Asia Pacific region having previously worked in Beijing, Miranda Alsop brings corporate intelligence expertise and Sean Janion joins with legal practice and international relations experience.

In the last 12 months Highgate has expanded its existing portfolio of clients around the world to help a growing number of leaders navigate high-stakes issues at the intersection of business, government and society.

Highgate’s international team of senior consultants is drawn from the best talent in politics, media, law, finance, intelligence and the military and has doubled in size in the last year.

Jenny Wright joins Highgate as a Director with more than 20 years’ experience in media and communications. As a former TV correspondent, Jenny worked for BBC World, ITV News, Channel 4 News and NBC, reporting live from multiple locations around the world covering a wide range of issues from breaking news to geopolitics. She has lived and worked in the UK, the US and South America.

In Washington DC, Jenny was a Press Advisor to the British Ambassador to the United States and Chief Communications Officer for Military and Defence, where she briefed senior politicians and senior generals ahead of media interviews. As a trusted media handler, Jenny has accompanied the UK Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary to the White House and the Pentagon. Jenny also worked at International Public Affairs at Edelman Global Advisory, developing and executing global communications strategies for government and corporate clients. During her career Jenny has worked as a communications consultant, media trainer and film producer and has a degree in Law (LLB) from the University of Exeter.

Jonny Piper joins Highgate as a Senior Associate Director specialising in digital and creative communications. As a former Number 10 Special Advisor for two Prime Ministers, Jonny has advised on digital communications at the highest levels of government, putting compelling creative content at its core.

While in government Jonny led digital campaigns that helped drive vaccine uptake during the COVID pandemic, communicated the UK’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and highlighted support during the cost-of-living crisis. With a background in political campaigning, Jonny has worked on several UK elections, leadership campaigns and a referendum.

Toby Tanner joins Highgate as an Associate Director having previously worked at Stonehaven where he managed policy campaigns across the UK, including multiple projects focused on the UK’s net zero transition. Prior to this, Toby was a public affairs consultant in APCO Worldwide’s Beijing office, where he helped clients to navigate complex domestic and geopolitical megatrends across the Asia Pacific region. Toby holds a BA in philosophy and politics from the University of Exeter and an MA in international relations from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. He speaks Mandarin Chinese.

Miranda Alsop also joins as an Associate Director and is a specialist in corporate intelligence and strategic communications. Prior to joining Highgate, Miranda was based in Tbilisi, Georgia as an Eurasia Analyst for a Washington D.C.-based think tank. Whilst in Tbilisi she worked on identifying and analysing key regional issues that would impact the security and investment climate of the Caucasus and Central Asia and before that helped private and corporate clients navigate complex problems through intelligence-led investigations and strategic communications campaigns. Miranda holds an MA in Russian and Post-Soviet Politics from the University College London and a BA in history from the University of Newcastle. She speaks Russian.

Sean Janion joins Highgate with a background in research, analysis and outreach having previously worked as a Principal Research Analyst at Chambers and Partners. Experienced working with lawyers and clients in the US and UK, Sean’s expertise lies in producing insightful reports and content. Sean holds a master’s degree in international relations with international law from the University of Kent.