Spear’s Review

Former KPMG management consultant David Imison joined Schillings in 2012 and became CEO in 2022. His tenure has been defined by a concerted effort to develop and broaden the firm’s offering to help its clients deal with ‘high-stakes opportunities and threats’ efficiently and effectively.

Founded as a law firm in 1984, Schillings still has one of the strongest reputation and privacy practices in the world. But today the business boasts a wider range of services. Having developed its capabilities in intelligence and investigations from 2012, the firm launched Schillings Communications in 2023. This new dimension of the business is headed up by George Pascoe-Watson and Victoria O’Byrne.

‘I wear two hats,’ Imison tells Spear’s. ‘The first involves helping our largest clients handle their most pressing reputation, privacy and security threats and opportunities. The other entails transforming Schillings from a traditional law firm into a multidisciplinary, high-stakes advisory business with an international client base.

‘We are action-oriented. We’re not about providing options or information. We are about providing advice on the course of action that has to be taken to resolve the issue or take advantage. That’s quite unusual.’

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Power List Profile

David Imison is a leading reputation and privacy adviser, trusted by high-profile individuals and global businesses navigating complex, high-stakes challenges. With over two decades of experience, he is known for resolving situations where competing interests – from the media, governments, financial counterparties and rivals – collide. 

David’s counsel helps clients seize control in moments of pressure, turning impasses into strategic advantage. He also helps unlock opportunities, removing barriers and helping clients position themselves and their businesses for success.

David’s expertise and experience enable him to find solutions to seemingly intractable problems, for clients operating in some of the world’s most challenging markets. To do this, he leverages the complementary breadth and depth of multidisciplinary teams at Schillings, including lawyers, investigators and communications and security experts, to deliver integrated solutions.

In his current capacity as CEO of Schillings, David is responsible for the strategic growth of the firm as it continues to expand its international presence, widen its multidisciplinary teams, and anticipate the future landscape of high-stakes opportunities and threats. Since stepping into the role of CEO in 2022, David has built on Schillings’ pioneering legacy, driving forward its evolution. He has spearheaded the creation and integration of Schillings Communications, launched the firm’s Dublin office, and forged strategic alliances with leading law firms in the US and Australia.

A former Big Four adviser, David has been recognised in the Spear’s Power List for two consecutive years, ranked as a leading figure in The Spear’s 500 Best Reputation Managers Index, and included in the Citywealth Leaders List.