Robert Phillips

Robert Phillips is currently enjoying a Gap Year and taking a self-imposed career break to research and complete his second book. He is the co-author of Citizen Renaissance (2008) and a frequent essayist, conference speaker and media contributor on citizenship and business. Robert is an Honorary Visiting Professor in Public Relations at Cass Business School, London

Until December 2012, Robert was President & CEO, EMEA, of Edelman – the world's largest Public Relations firm - responsible for over 1,000 people and 19 offices. He was also Global Chair, Public Engagement & Future Strategies and was intimately involved with Edelman's annual Trust Barometer.

Robert launched his first business while at university and, in 1987, aged 23, co-founded Jackie Cooper Public Relations (JCPR), which grew into the leading Consumer Brand Public Relations firm in the UK.

Having been named 'One To Watch' (along with his business partner) in 1993/4, two of JCPR's campaigns – including the mould-breaking 'Hello Boys' work for Wonderbra - were recognised in PR Week's Top 20 Campaigns of All Time. Robert and Jackie sold the business to Edelman in 2004 and Robert became CEO of Edelman's merged UK businesses in 2007.

Under his leadership, Edelman grew 55% in the UK in three years; joined the ranks of the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For; and won 'Consultancy of the Year' in 2009 and 2011. Robert is as proud of his place in the 'Wired 100' (2011), as he is in PR Week's eponymous Powerbook.

Throughout his career, Robert has counselled a number of Blue Chip companies at senior level, including Sony, Playtex, Diageo, Unilever, Shell, Capital & Counties and Aviva.

Robert was educated at Balliol College, Oxford and the University of London. He sits on the Advisory Board of the Global Economic Symposium and on the Steering Committee of the Circle of European Communicators. He is a Trustee of New Deal of the Mind and a former Board member of the Public Relations Consultants Association.

Speaking credits include the Confederation of British Industry; the European Roundtable of Industrialists; Oxford University; the London School of Economics; PICNIC in Amsterdam ; and the Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow – plus contributions to the BBC, The Guardian and the Financial Times.