Our People

Richard co-founded Sapience Communications after working for a multi-discipline UK communications consultancy, where he was the MD of the Financial Division, and previous careers in the media and investment banking.

Richard also has a degree at Cambridge University in Law, where he subsequently was called to the Bar and then completed a post-graduate course in periodical journalism at London’s City University.

Louisa joined Sapience Communications having previously worked for a leading broadcasting company, where she helped to launch a news, medical and lifestyle channel across six regions in Europe, on a total of 18 platforms.

Prior to this, she was involved in marketing, content development and media relations for a range of organisations, including The Bath Literature Festival, Dorothy House and The Bath Film Festival.

James joined Sapience as a senior consultant in 2021 after more than 30 years working in the UK, Singapore, China and Hong Kong as a business journalist, editor and manager in the news and public relations business.

James previously worked for two years in the UK for his own company and, before that, for eight years with FleishmanHillard Hong Kong.

Before switching to PR, he worked for over 20 years as a reporter/editor for Dow Jones.

Jessica rejoined Sapience Communications as an Associate Director after two years working in the Middle East with a strategic communications consultancy, where she worked across a range of corporate and government accounts.

Jessica has extensive experience in the development and implementation of communications strategy, content development, media relations and in-depth research and analysis.

Shubhi is an award-winning PR and Communications expert. With a masters in communications from the London School of Economics, she has managed projects across APAC, US, UK, and EMEA.

She has led the rebranding of multiple businesses and successfully launched various consumer-facing platforms including OTT’s, TV channels, web series, and films.

Lauren is an Account Director specialising in B2B communications for finance, fintech and technology clients.

She has worked across AI governance, e-commerce, transport and logistics, and cybersecurity, helping organisations become industry leaders. Splitting her time between London and Dubai, Lauren supports clients in expanding their international presence.

She holds an MA in Communication, Culture & Technology from Georgetown University.

Sanjana is a Senior Digital Marketing Manager at Sapience, working on social media, strategic content and marketing initiatives.

Prior to this, she worked as a content writer and later as the head of digital marketing at a recruitment firm. She specialises in storytelling, crafting creative social media campaigns, and lead generation.

She graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a MSc in Literature and Modernity.

Emily is a Senior Account Executive at Sapience Communications. She has a degree in Geography from the University of Exeter, and has a strong background in communications after working as a SAE in B2C PR for major UK food and drink, beauty, and fashion clients. She now uses her expertise in the PR, competitor research, and media relations to manage accounts across the B2B fashion, healthcare, art, and hospitality sectors.

Fergus is a Junior Account Executive at Sapience Communications. Prior to joining Sapience, he worked at a leading financial PR firm in London, where he developed strong communications and client relations skills. He holds a BA in Classics, Ancient History, and Archaeology from Trinity College Dublin, and now supports clients across a range of sectors reach their communications objectives.

Padma is a Junior Account Executive at Sapience Communications.

Prior to joining Sapience, she worked at Sony Pictures Entertainment in commercial strategy and film analytics. Currently, she supports clients with PR and digital marketing campaigns across the hospitality, interior design and financial services sectors.

Padma holds a BSc in Management with Marketing from the University of Bath.

Jonathan is an Account Executive at Sapience. He has a BA in History and an MA in Classics from Durham University, as well as experience working in recruitment in the tax space. He supports professional services account teams with deep levels of research, content development and media engagement, bringing strong analytical skills and sharp communication to regulated sector client programmes and carefully curated media strategies.

Travis Pilling is a Junior Account Executive at Sapience.

Prior to joining Sapience, Travis worked as a columnist and copy-editor for various student journals, and at the National Archives.

He holds an MA hons in History from the University of Edinburgh and also an MSt in History from the University of Oxford.

Previously Iain was Paypal’s Senior Director, International Business Development. He has broad business experience, having worked with a range of blue-chip business, including HSBC and the UK’s Channel 4 Television where he was a senior executive in the Marketing Division.

Currently based in Dubai he has also lived and worked in Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Singapore. Iain is a graduate of London Business School.

Shazia is a Dubai-based senior marketing leader and former CMO with over 20 years’ experience across the GCC, UK, & US.

She delivers revenue-focused strategies, brand positioning, customer engagement, and digital transformation in fintech, finance, and legal sectors.

Experienced with startups, SMEs, and global enterprises, she has led marketing transformations and mentors at the University of Birmingham, Dubai.

Irina has had a successful career in both financial services and, more recently, the healthcare sector. Her early roles were at leading financial institutions, such as the EBRD and Barclays Capital.

She followed this by founding a successful healthcare business, which attracted a number of high-profile and celebrity clients and helped her further enhance her business development and marketing skills. Irinia is based in Dubai.

James has worked independently for 25 years as a successful graphic designer, specialising in advertising, branding and corporate communications. Alongside his graphic design services, James is also a website designer and photographer.

James’ experience includes book and magazine designing and for over ten years he held the Art Editor position for international sports magazine Polo Times.

James has previously supported Sapience in its website development.

Toby Mason is a Senior Consultant with Sapience Communications.

He specialises in all aspects of digital media with specifically 10 years of experience in online marketing solutions and SEO.

He has been an integral part of Sapiences’ online media operations since the firm’s inception by providing dedicated support and digital advice.

Toby started his career at the world’s first online auction company and is also a director at Totally Digital, part of Totally Group.

Keyur is an independent writer and consultant, specialising in economics and financial services. He has published five papers for the CSFI, part of the London Institute of Banking & Finance.

Keyur advises companies, both in the UK and internationally, on producing distinctive and rigorous research. He writes features and analysis for many of the UK’s leading publishers, and was formerly Marjorie Deane Fellow at the Financial Times.

He is a graduate in Economics from University College London.

Grahame Cook has over 18 years’ experience in investment banking, advising on a wide number of mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions in the US and in the UK, eg the electricity privatisation IPOs in the UK and the acquisition of Barclays Global Investors by Barclays.

Since 2003 he has been a serial investor and non-executive director. He has also advised the London Stock Exchange on the creation of its TechMark growth segment which includes a number of technology and tech rich healthcare company boards, both listed and unlisted.

Grahame is a chartered accountant, having qualified with Arthur Andersen and holds a double first honours degree from Oxford University.

Peter Brooks has over 27 years’ experience in mid-market UK private equity. He has completed over 30 direct transactions and has strong experience in support, business services and outsourcing as well as buy & build roll-outs. Current particular interest is acceleration capital for SaaS and cloud computing applications.

He has held senior positions at a number of leading private equity houses. These include LDC, the PE arm of Lloyds Banking Group, where he was the MD of the London team and Sovereign Capital, where he was the CEO.

His business and investment experience has been invaluable in Sapience’s growth since its foundation. He is currently managing partner of FB Capital Ltd.

Martyn Rose is one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs. He brings business acumen and a singular record of taking a considerable number of early stage start-ups and growing them into successful commercial enterprises. He has built some of the finest companies in their sectors over the past few decades.

At the age of 34 he became chairman of his first publicly listed company and has, since that time, been chairman of over twenty five public and private companies. At present he is chairman of six companies within print software, online academic research, household products manufacture, fine art, engineering and financial services. These are all companies that he has either co-founded or joined at an early stage to develop the businesses.