Matthew Knowles

Nonprofit; 51-200 employees; Nonprofit Organization Management industry

October 2009 – October 2011 (2 years 1 month) London, United Kingdom

Following the merger of the Society of British Aerospace Companies - SBAC (my former employer) - and the Defence Manufacturers Association - DMA - in which I played a key communications and branding role I took on the position of Director, Public Relations for the new company A|D|S.

Nonprofit; 11-50 employees; Aviation & Aerospace industry

December 2007 – October 2009 (1 year 11 months) London, United Kingdom

Leading the media work for the UK's national trade association representing companies supplying civil air transport, aerospace defence, homeland security and space. My role includes working with international, national and regional media that saw SBAC increase its coverage tenfold during my first year in the role.

Developed close working relations with major media and political stakeholders covering SBAC’s key interests.

Reported directly to the Chief Executive and was fully responsible for raising his media profile through media training and effective media liaison in conjunction with lobbying activities.

Led the internal initiative with SBAC Directors to create a more open, media-friendly culture within the organisation.

Managed complex relationships with SBAC members (including BAE Systems, Airbus and Rolls-Royce) as well as Government contacts, regional partners and SBAC’s subsidiary company Farnborough International Limited.

Led the communications team through a highly successful Farnborough International Airshow 2008 and the 2009 launch of SBAC’s office in Bangalore, India.

Nonprofit; 501-1000 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry

January 2006 – December 2007 (2 years) London, United Kingdom

• Working in a high-profile media and policy team for the UK’s largest business membership, representation and lobbying organisation.
• Leading the media and campaign work across all policy areas as they apply to business on behalf of more than 200,000 members and advising senior staff on media strategies.
• My role is to maximise the positive media coverage of the FSB’s lobbying activities as we advance the cause of small firms across the UK.
• This role has seen me regularly appear on Sky News, BBC News 24, Channels 4 and 5 News and in major national newspapers, such as the Financial Times and the Daily Telegraph. (Examples are available on request.)

Government Agency; 1001-5000 employees; Government Administration industry

August 2004 – December 2005 (1 year 5 months) Grays, Essex

• Managed a team of eleven people to deliver the committee services to the Unitary Council in Thurrock.
• The departmental budget, for which I was solely responsible, was £1.2 million.
• This was a central position at the Council having both a high profile within the organisation for the officers and also externally for our electors to be able to access the democratic and decision-making processes.
• The methods of the team were radically altered and improved while I was in charge through introducing methods from my previous work experiences outside local government. This led to the team having more confidence in themselves and their abilities and also to other officers working to the exacting standards that we set. The improvement to Council procedures was very noticeable.

Nonprofit; 11-50 employees; Public Policy industry

June 2004 – August 2004 (3 months) London, United Kingdom

• On behalf of the property industry lobbying ministers, other senior politicians and civil servants in demonstrating the key role that the property industry plays in the drive for regeneration and sustainable development.
• Managing policy-formulating committees at the BPF with membership from the major UK property companies.

Nonprofit; 11-50 employees; Nonprofit Organization Management industry

May 2002 – May 2004 (2 years 1 month) London, United Kingdom

• Managing the Policy Team of eight advisers and consultants.
• Directing research and internal and external communications.
• Advising the Director General and President on policy and PR issues.
• Acting as Director of Policy while the post-holder was on maternity leave.
• Lobbying Government Ministers and civil servants and working with the media to outline the needs of business, including frequent appearances on television and radio news programmes and in major national, international and regional press.
• Responsibilities also included research, report and speech writing on policy issues as they relate to business including the Euro, local government, planning, regional affairs, regulation and business insurance.
• I led the BCC team that won the PR Week Marketing Communications Campaign of the Year Award in 2003.

Government Agency; 1001-5000 employees; Government Administration industry

January 1998 – April 2002 (4 years 4 months) London, United Kingdom

• Carrying out policy research and development for elected members and senior officers and working with the local press as a spokesman for Councillors.

October 1995 – May 1996 (8 months) Strasbourg Area, France

• I provided administration, research and public relations support to Lyndon (now Lord) Harrison in plenary sessions in the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France.