Andy Coulson

Spear’s Review

When it comes to crises, Andy Coulson has ‘created them, managed them and lived them’, he once told Spear’s.

Coulson Partners, which he founded in 2016, focuses on corporate strategy, reputation management and communications for CEOs, founders and other leaders. His own past casts this work in an interesting light.

Coulson was the editor of the News of the World before leaving journalism in 2007. He became an adviser to former prime minister David Cameron later that year, holding the post of communications director for the Conservative Party. Following the party’s victory in the 2010 general election, Coulson took on the equivalent role in government.

‘As someone who has been poacher, gamekeeper and, for a while, game, that gives me and the people that I work with a unique perspective as trusted advisers,’ Coulson said. ‘My experience is a value. You either want advisers who have been up and down the hill a few times or not. If it’s the former, then I think we’ve got something to offer.’

The firm provides ‘frank’ advice to its clients. Trust, he added, is ‘the absolute key to good advice’.

On his podcast (Crisis What Crisis?) Coulson has interviewed former colleagues (George Osborne, William Hague), journalists (Andrew Marr, Fergal Keane) and entrepreneurs (James Timpson, Martha Lane Fox).

Adviser Profile

Coulson Partners has a distinguished track record as trusted strategic advisers to global business leaders, HNW individuals, family offices, governments and influential organisations. Reputation is at the heart of everything they do.

Global tech, consumer and media firms, biotech innovators, and leaders in sport and culture rely on them for corporate, communications and philanthropic strategies, and for enhancing and protecting reputation.

Andy, managing partner Jon Steafel (Daily Mail) and partner Katy Searle (BBC) have decades of experience in senior roles in media, politics and business. Today they deliver bespoke counsel, game-changing campaigns, cut-through content and crisis management.

‘It’s not hard to find advisers – but it’s difficult to identify ones who will help you build a reputation that serves your strategic purpose. You need people with a view, but without agenda, who aren’t afraid to get things wrong. At Coulson Partners we understand exactly what it takes to define, build and protect a reputation that will serve your purpose and not just make you famous.’

Andy’s deep understanding of media and politics, how public opinion is formed and what to do when faced with problems, comes from a 30-plus-year career shaped by success and challenge.

‘Whether I’m sitting with clients now, or when I used to be sitting with the prime minister, the principle is the same: when somebody trusts you, you’ll be asked for your advice, and that’s a wonderful place to be. Our expertise and approach set us apart ... and make us an invaluable ally at your side.’

Andy’s Crisis What Crisis? podcast is a collection of compelling conversations with crisis survivors who share transferable lessons on developing resilience to help listeners navigate life’s inevitable challenges.