James Olley

Spear’s Review

Montfort Communications adviser James Olley works with clients – including UHNWs, finance professionals, corporate leadership teams and tech figures – ‘to build public strategies that enable them to realise their ambitions’.

Focused on strategy, reputation, communication and policy, Olley says he offers ‘bespoke counsel – no off-the-shelf solutions, but thoughtful strategic advice’, promising ‘an empathetic understanding of client needs [and] a considered approach, particularly in high-stakes situations where “calm and composed” is the style’.

The communications strategist has extensive experience in campaign development, crisis work and critical issues management. His areas of expertise cover corporate and financial communications, including mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, public affairs and regulatory matters. ‘He crafts public narratives that support [clients’] ambitions, devising and implementing reputation management strategies,’ according to the firm.

Adviser Profile

James is a founding member of the team at Montfort Communications. 

James is a strategist working at the intersection of business, policy and media to deliver reputation advantage for organisations and individuals. He and his team are known for their critical thinking, creativity of solutions, fresh perspective and excellence of delivery. 

James leads a team that offers 360-degree perspective and execution, working seamlessly across the verticals of corporate affairs. He is recognised for his joined-up and creative thinking, as well as bringing deep thoughtfulness and considered analysis to solve critical issues and mitigate reputation risk for his clients. 

James works with organisations and individuals to create positions from which to deliver their ambitions. In recent times he has worked with next-gen UHNW advisory firms and next-gen disruptive private equity funds on landmark M&A and IPOs, major public bodies and C-suite individuals. Though he works broadly across the strategic communications space, James is known particularly for his specific expertise in private equity and high-profile consumer brands, both in which he has worked extensively over the past 20 years. 

James is an active trustee for a number of institutions including the National Youth Choir. Along with Sir Lloyd Dorfman he helped launch the Remember Me project at St Paul’s Cathedral (supported by the then-Prince of Wales) for all those who lost their lives to Covid-19. James is a long-term supporter of the London Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral.