Allan Biggar - Team Leader
Allan Biggar
CEO - All About Brands, Plc.
7 St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 4AA
Contact: Allan@aabplc.com
Summary of Qualifications/Backgrounder
Over two decades, I have acquired an in-depth knowledge of reputation management and communications within the commercial and political worlds. I have a strong understanding of the culture and societies of the Middle East market having lived and worked extensively in the region. After joining Burson-Marsteller, the world’s leading public relations consultancy, in the mid 1990’s I served as head of their Middle East operations and have since maintained both extensive personal and businesses relationships across the region. I went on to serve as CEO of Burson-Marsteller Europe before stepping down as Global Chairman of the Corporate and Financial Practice and member of the worldwide board of directors in 2005.
During my career at Burson-Marsteller in addition to my public affairs assignments I led and managed brand building and reputation management engagements with many of the world’s major brands including Coca-Cola, Unilever, Colgate Palmolive, Dow Chemicals, Shell and Visa International. For the UAE Offsets Group, an offshoot of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, I led the award-winning communications team tasked to promote the ground breaking gas pipeline development linking Qatar’s North Field, Abu Dhabi and the Indian sub-continent. Working with the government of Kuwait prior to the last Gulf War, I led the communications campaign to highlight the tragic issue of the ‘disappeared’ – Kuwaiti nationals thought to be held by Iraq. In Egypt, I led the USAID communications programme under the Partnership In Development initiative which aimed to kick start the country’s privatization programme.
I commentate, broadcast and write regularly on CEO issues, branding and public affairs. As Chairman of the Manchester Business School Corporate Communications department – the only post-graduate facility for Corporate Communications in Europe, I also have a foot in academia. I also provide pro-bono communications advice to the European Commission and am founder of the European Communications Academy offering strategic communications training to senior EU government officials.