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Our team has advised at the highest levels of business, politics, media and policy. Every engagement is handled with the discretion and care that work at this level requires.

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5-8 The Sanctuary
London, SW1P 3JS

+44 207 340 0380 advice@sanctuarygroup.co

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The martlet is a mythical bird without feet. It hatches and immediately takes flight. Remaining forever airborne, it symbolises perpetual progress, tireless eﬀort, and the pursuit of excellence.

The martlet appears in English heraldry and five martlets are displayed on the coat of arms of Westminster Abbey. It was in the shadow of the Abbey where Sanctuary was founded and took flight.

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Ben Ullmann CEO

Ben Ullmann is CEO of Sanctuary and advises individual and corporate clients on reputation and strategic communications and positioning.

He works closely with clients facing sensitive reputational, organisational and leadership challenges, providing senior counsel where judgement, discretion and clarity are critical.

Ben has been ranked in the Spear’s 500 as one of the UK’s top reputation managers for the past five years. Before joining Sanctuary, he was a Managing Director at Teneo, the CEO advisory firm. Prior to that, he was Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the late Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks.

Ben began his career as a Research Fellow at Policy Exchange, a Westminster think tank, and worked on a US political campaign in 2010.

Jonathan McClory Managing Partner

Jonathan McClory is a globally recognised expert in soft power, public diplomacy, foreign affairs and strategic communications.

He advises governments, international organisations, NGOs, philanthropists and companies on reputation, policy, campaigning, diplomacy and global engagement. His work spans five continents, with a particular focus on how states, institutions and organisations build influence and credibility internationally.

Before joining Sanctuary, Jonathan was General Manager for Asia at Portland, where he built the firm’s first office in the region and oversaw work across Asia, including for government ministries and agencies in Singapore and other states.

Earlier in his career, Jonathan worked at Policy Exchange and the Institute for Government, where he created the world’s first composite index for measuring countries’ soft power. This later led to The Soft Power 30. He is a Research Associate at Hertford College, Oxford.

Robert Morgan Managing Partner

Robert Morgan is a Managing Partner at Sanctuary and advises businesses and their leaders on corporate reputation, financial communications and high-stakes issues.

He has particular expertise in M&A, crisis communications and capital markets communications, helping clients manage situations where commercial performance, leadership credibility and public scrutiny intersect. His experience spans consumer, leisure and financial services across the UK and international markets.

Before joining Sanctuary, Robert was a Managing Director at Teneo. He has also held senior communications roles at leading corporates including Cadbury and Close Brothers, giving him both consultancy and in-house experience of advising major businesses.

Alongside Sanctuary’s other Managing Partners, Robert has overseen the growth and development of the firm.

Sian Hansen Chairman

Sian holds a diverse portfolio of non-executive, advisory and trustee positions including as director of Worldwide Healthcare Trust, the Almeida Theatre, Chalke History Festival, Cerno Capital, and Compton Consultants. She was previously COO at CT Group, Executive Director of the Legatum Institute and Managing Director of Policy Exchange. Earlier in her career, she was an equity analyst and co-head of Far East sales at Societe Generale in London.

Mark Smith Non-Executive Director

Mark is a non-executive director, chartered accountant (FCA) and experienced Board Director with a career spanning finance, marketing, and corporate strategy. He co-founded Chime Communications plc, leading its expansion and £375m private equity sale. In addition to his executive accomplishments, Mark serves as the non-executive Chairman of Holiday Extras, Merit Group plc, TPXimpact Holdings plc, Cognito Group and Thinks Insight and Strategy.

Helen Myer Partner

Helen Myer is a Partner at Sanctuary and advises clients on strategic communications, specialising in programme & partnership design and corporate communications.

She advises clients on delivering reputation-building moments that drive strategic priorities. Her work spans major international forums including Davos, COP and UN General Assembly Week and includes the rollout of full event programmes for corporate clients, organisations and individuals.

Before joining Sanctuary, Helen led complex programmes, partnerships and operations in 10 Downing Street, Mansion House and Buckingham Palace. This included domestic and overseas events and visits, the UK Government presence at multilateral global summits, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.

Helen has extensive experience operating in highly sensitive environments involving high profile stakeholders, business leaders, philanthropists and senior institutional audiences. She brings together strategic planning, judgement, protocol and delivery to help clients make the most of moments in which reputation, relationships and execution all matter.

Ben Andersen-Tuffnell Partner

Ben Andersen-Tuffnell is a Partner at Sanctuary and advises organisations and leaders on reputation, corporate and public affairs and stakeholder engagement.

He has more than two decades of agency, in-house and trade association experience across a range of sectors, including financial services, retail, tech and sport. Ben has particular expertise in helping companies with issues where business, government, media and public opinion overlap.

Before joining Sanctuary, Ben was the UK Corporate Affairs Director at Tesco, where he sat on the UK Leadership Team and helped the business navigate issues including Brexit and Covid. He also led work across government relations, community engagement, social impact and local media.

Earlier in his career, Ben founded the public affairs capability within a leading financial communications agency and served as Director of Government Affairs at the British Bankers’ Association. Ben is a Non-Executive Director of The Padel School.

Jos Burnett Partner

Jos Burnett is a lawyer and strategic communications adviser specialising in high-stakes disputes, crisis management and complex special situations.

He advises companies, governments, boards, executives and prominent individuals on matters where legal, reputational and strategic risks intersect. His work includes cross-border disputes, white-collar investigations, regulatory matters, allegations of misconduct and sensitive issues requiring coordination between legal, communications and investigative teams.

Jos began his career in communications before qualifying at leading international law firms in London and Hong Kong. This gives him direct experience of both the legal and communications dimensions of complex reputation matters.

He provides senior counsel to clients seeking to protect reputation, privacy and business interests while managing legal, commercial and stakeholder pressure.

George Fitzherbert-Brockholes Partner

George Fitzherbert-Brockholes is a Partner at Sanctuary and advises clients on corporate affairs and strategic and financial communications and Government engagement.

His clients include asset management firms, private banks, consumer goods companies and governments. His work spans stakeholder engagement, crisis management, media relations, narrative development and support through M&A, debt issuance and public market transactions.

Before joining Sanctuary in 2021, George spent eight years at Teneo in London and the UAE. In London, he advised clients across banking, energy, industry, insurance and telecoms. In the UAE, he worked with national oil companies and sovereign wealth funds, helping them engage with major international financial institutions.

George began his career at a business intelligence firm in Istanbul, advising investors into the Middle East. He holds an MSc in Middle East Politics from SOAS and a BA in Theology from the University of Leeds.

Maeve Harte Director

Maeve is a Director at Sanctuary and advises business leaders, brands and high-profile individuals on corporate communications and personal reputation.

She works with clients on reputation strategy, media positioning, narrative development and stakeholder engagement, with particular experience in technology, sensitive issues and high-pressure communications.

Before joining Sanctuary, Maeve was Head of Strategic Communications at Erlam & Co, where she advised primarily US technology and business leaders on profile and reputation issues. She has also held senior brand and communications roles at McLaren and worked at Ogilvy, The Romans and FleishmanHillard.

During Covid, Maeve led communications for VentilatorChallengeUK, advising a consortium of 33 businesses delivering ventilators for the NHS.

Rachel Miller Director

Rachel Miller is a Director at Sanctuary and advises clients on reputation management, crisis preparedness and corporate communications.

She works with CEOs, listed and private businesses, non-profit organisations and individuals on reputational issues, crises and opportunities, with particular experience advising clients through periods of intense scrutiny and uncertainty. Her work includes crisis preparedness, issues management, stakeholder and media strategy, and senior counsel for clients managing complex reputational risk.

Rachel has spent the last decade working in agencies. Before joining Sanctuary, she worked in financial and corporate communications at Teneo, the CEO advisory firm.

Alongside her client work, Rachel leads Sanctuary’s training and development initiatives, supporting the growth of junior colleagues and helping ensure the wider team continues to build its advisory, delivery and client-handling skills.

Jacob Rix Director, Research and Insights

Jacob Rix is a Director, Research & Insights, at Sanctuary and advises clients on strategic communications, reputation management and positioning.

His work spans corporate communications, political affairs and data-driven insight, with particular experience in crisis communications, media strategy, messaging and rapid response. He has led press operations on high-profile political campaigns in the UK and internationally, advising teams through fast-moving and highly scrutinised moments.

Jacob’s background combines political, governmental, corporate and data-led communications experience. He has worked in government on sensitive national security matters, giving him experience at the intersection of policy, communications and public affairs.

Alongside his advisory work, Jacob leads Sanctuary’s Research & Insights work and has developed bespoke insight and monitoring tools to help organisations understand media narratives, reputational risk and emerging issues.

Sally Rushton Director

Sally Rushton is a Director at Sanctuary and advises clients on corporate communications and public affairs.

She has provided counsel to cabinet ministers, CEOs and corporates, with experience across political strategy, stakeholder engagement, and crises where business and government intersect. Her sector experience includes housing and the built environment, life sciences, and not-for-profit.

Before joining Sanctuary, Sally served as a special adviser in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Justice. She began her career in Westminster as a parliamentary researcher to George Osborne.

Sally leads Sanctuary’s new business team and regularly appears in broadcast media to discuss politics and current affairs, drawing on her experience inside government to analyse political strategy, decision-making, and the handling of live issues.

Beatrice Timpson Director

Beatrice Timpson is a Director at Sanctuary and advises clients on media strategy, crisis management and public affairs.

She served as Deputy Press Secretary to two Prime Ministers in No. 10 Downing Street during a period of significant political and media scrutiny. She was previously a special adviser in several government departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care during the pandemic, working on both the policy and comms to handle and mitigate the impact of Covid-19.

Before working in government, Beatrice began her career in the private sector, advising corporations, high-net-worth individuals and politicians on media relations, crisis management and public affairs at two communications agencies.

Beatrice regularly provides media commentary on politics, government and current affairs, using her No. 10 and departmental experience to assess how reputations can be protected, built and enhanced at the centre of government.

Flora McCaul Associate Director

Flora McCaul is an Associate Director at Sanctuary and advises clients on corporate communications, stakeholder engagement and reputation.

She supports clients across stakeholder engagement, narrative development, media strategy and events. Her sector experience includes financial and professional services, healthcare, manufacturing, technology and the education sector.

Before joining Sanctuary, Flora worked at Penta Group, where she led sentiment and reputational analysis for major financial and professional services organisations, including Big Four firms, banks and investment companies. She previously spent around six years at Grayling, advising clients on integrated campaigns across media relations, public affairs, community engagement and significant infrastructure projects, and began her career in the Scottish Parliament, supporting two south of Scotland MSPs at Holyrood and in the constituency.

Alongside her client work, she leads Sanctuary’s events programme, overseeing events that support the firm’s client and new business activity.

Sami Azam-Ali Senior Consultant

Sami Azam-Ali is a Senior Consultant at Sanctuary, working across strategic communications, media relations and reputation.
He supports high-profile individuals, governments and financial services clients on corporate communications, stakeholder engagement and disputes. His work focuses on helping clients use reputation and communications to support commercial, personal and foreign policy objectives.
Before joining Sanctuary in 2023, Sami worked as an international researcher at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In that role, he supported the development of the Chamber’s international strategy and its engagement with members, international partners and the diplomatic community in London. Sami grew up between the UK and Malaysia and read Economics and International Relations at the University of St Andrews.

Hannah Butler Senior Consultant

Hannah Butler is a Senior Consultant at Sanctuary, working across corporate communications, financial communications and public affairs.
At Sanctuary, she works on reputation-related issues for organisations across sectors including retail, leisure, housing, non-profit, life sciences and business advocacy. Her work spans crisis communications, campaigns, events, media relations, public affairs and stakeholder engagement.
Before joining Sanctuary, Hannah worked at FTI Consulting, joining through the company’s graduate scheme and progressing to Senior Consultant. During her time there, she advised clients in the consumer and retail sectors, supporting financial results for listed companies, media engagement programmes, campaigns and events. Hannah began her career as a communications intern at MK Public Relations. Hannah holds an MA in Global History and a First Class BA in History from the University of Sheffield.

Alice Newton Senior Consultant

Alice Newton is a Senior Consultant at Sanctuary, specialising in corporate communications, public affairs and stakeholder engagement.
She has worked across technology, science, financial services, creative and luxury sectors, advising clients on press office management, proactive and reactive media engagement, narrative development and reputation management. She also has extensive experience in policy and public affairs, helping clients respond to changing policy environments and engage with government, regulatory and industry audiences.
Before joining Sanctuary, Alice worked in agencies across corporate and brand communications, supporting ongoing communications activity and high-profile campaigns. She holds a BA in History of Art from Oxford Brookes University.

Katie O'Brien Senior Consultant

Katie O’Brien is a Senior Consultant at Sanctuary, advising clients on corporate communications and reputation and crisis management.
She supports corporations, high-profile individuals, charities and organisations, with particular experience across life sciences, innovation and the not-for-profit sector. Her work includes advising on communications strategies, crisis and issues support, UK political and policy engagement and media relations.
Katie joined Sanctuary in 2019 as an intern and has progressed through trainee and consultant roles during more than six years with the firm. Alongside her client work, Katie drives the firm’s marketing, including managing Sanctuary’s LinkedIn presence and the social media team. She graduated from King’s College London with a degree in Classics.

Katherine Cochrane Consultant

Katherine Cochrane is a Consultant at Sanctuary, supporting clients on media relations, public affairs and strategic communications.
She works across a range of Sanctuary clients, including corporations, high-profile individuals and not-for-profit organisations. Her work includes media engagement, corporate and crisis communications support and public affairs. Alongside her client work, Katherine is part of Sanctuary’s marketing team.
Before joining Sanctuary, Katherine worked at an agency in the travel and tourism sector, advising international aviation and data clients on communications, media engagement and reputational issues. Alongside her communications career, Katherine is a fully trained journalist and achieved her Gold Standard NCTJ Diploma earlier this year, strengthening her expertise in media law, public affairs and data journalism. She holds a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Edinburgh.

Joe Harrison Consultant

Joe Harrison is a Consultant at Sanctuary, supporting clients across public affairs, political analysis, research and communications.

He works with client teams on policy, media and reputational issues, helping to inform advisory work through research, analysis and monitoring. His work supports clients navigating political developments, policy campaigns and stakeholder engagement.

Before joining Sanctuary, Joe worked at a Westminster think tank where he was a Senior Researcher, authoring and editing reports on a wide range of policy areas. Joe has also written opinion and analysis pieces for national and international media outlets including The Spectator, City A.M. and The Business Post. He graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in History and French and speaks French to a high level.

Heloise Messervy-Whiting Consultant

Heloise Messervy-Whiting is a Consultant at Sanctuary, with experience across strategic communications, media relations and public affairs.
She has worked with high-profile clients across sectors including not-for-profit, education, commercial real estate, defence and sustainability. Her work includes proactive engagement, media relations, stakeholder communications and campaign delivery.
Before joining Sanctuary, Heloise worked across communications and public affairs agencies, and was recently seconded to a not-for-profit client’s office, advising on press office management and securing high-profile engagement across a range of sectors. She graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Human, Social and Political Sciences, having specialised in Politics and International Relations.

Robert Thirlwell Consultant

Robert Thirlwell is a Consultant at Sanctuary, supporting clients with public affairs, media relations and strategic communications.
He works across sectors including fitness and leisure, healthcare and the built environment, helping clients engage with political, policy and media stakeholders. He advises clients on their engagement with political, policy and media stakeholders, helping them communicate clearly on the issues that matter to their business and reputation.
Before joining Sanctuary in 2025, Robert worked at public affairs and communications agencies, supporting clients across political engagement, media relations and stakeholder strategy. Robert graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an MA in History and an MSc in Sport Policy and International Development.

Yasmine Fowler Associate Consultant

Yasmine Fowler is an Associate Consultant at Sanctuary, supporting clients across public affairs, media engagement, research and crisis communications.

She works with organisations across sectors including financial services, non-profit and life sciences. She supports client teams on corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, media and reputation management.

Before joining Sanctuary, Yasmine completed a corporate communications internship after graduating from the University of Bristol with a degree in Politics and Spanish. She is proficient in Spanish and spent her year abroad in Mexico, where she worked with an international events team. Alongside her client work, Yasmine is involved in Sanctuary’s training and development programme.

Thea Ellis Associate Consultant

Thea Ellis is an Associate Consultant at Sanctuary, supporting clients across research, monitoring and strategic advisory work.

She works across a range of accounts, including government bodies, with a particular focus on research and analysis. She also supports the team on media and stakeholder activity.

Before joining Sanctuary, Thea completed a BA in Politics and Philosophy and an MA in International Relations of the Middle East at Durham University. Her research focused on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, particularly the roles women played in the organisation and how these changed in response to territorial loss and strategic pressure. Following graduation, she travelled to Jordan to continue her study of Modern Standard Arabic and Levantine Arabic.

Sofia Farouk Associate Consultant

Sofia Farouk is an Associate Consultant at Sanctuary, supporting clients across media management, communications delivery, research and monitoring.

She works with international governments, and supports British and international clients across sectors including fitness and leisure, private banking, and sustainability. Her work supports press office activity, client communications and reputation management across both ongoing advisory work and project-based activity.

Before joining Sanctuary, Sofia worked at a government affairs consultancy in Malaysia, supporting clients across the technology, healthcare and FMCG sectors. She holds an MA in Sociology and Politics from the University of Edinburgh and a Global MSc in Management from the London School of Economics, which included an exchange at Cornell University. Alongside her client work, Sofia supports Sanctuary’s marketing team with LinkedIn content.

Alison Griffiths People and Operations Manager

Alison Griffiths is People and Operations Manager at Sanctuary, supporting the smooth running of the firm and the wider team.

She has two decades of experience supporting fast-paced communications consultancies, with a background spanning administrative management, office operations, HR processes, compliance and employee experience. Her work helps ensure the business has the systems, policies and support needed to operate effectively.

Alison plays an important role in supporting Sanctuary’s culture and working environment, helping with onboarding, employee relations and day-to-day team support. She is known across the firm for her practical approach, reliability and ability to build trusted relationships with colleagues.

Millie van Moppes PA and Office Assistant

Millie van Moppes is a PA and Office Assistant at Sanctuary, providing PA support to two of the Managing Partners and other several Partners.

She provides administrative, diary and operational support across the firm, helping ensure internal processes, office activity and team coordination run smoothly. Her role supports colleagues across different parts of the business and contributes to the effective running of the firm.

Millie joined Sanctuary after graduating from Oxford Media and Business School with a Professional Business Diploma. During her studies, she developed a grounding in business operations, digital marketing, events management, professional development and IT.

Issy Whyte PA and Office Manager

Issy Whyte is a PA and Office Manager at Sanctuary, providing PA support to one of the Managing Partners and several other Partners.

She works across office management, diary coordination, administration and internal support, helping colleagues across the firm operate effectively. She also supports the planning and delivery of Sanctuary’s events programme, drawing on her previous events management experience.

Before joining Sanctuary, Issy worked in operations at an investment firm. She studied Business Management and Spanish at the University of Glasgow, including a year studying and working in Barcelona. During university, she gained experience at a luxury PR agency and as Director of Operations for the Glasgow Charity Fashion Show.