Strategic public affairs and communications consultancy Rud Pedersen has announced two senior appointments to its growing London office, further underlining the Group’s rapid growth and ambition in the UK market.
Jo Tanner joins as a Director, bringing more than two decades of experience at the sharpest edge of politics, communications and campaigning. A former senior adviser to Boris Johnson during his time as candidate for Mayor of London, Jo also co-founded iNHouse Communications, one of the UK’s most successful independent public affairs consultancies. Over her career she has advised leading corporates, trade associations and high-profile individuals on navigating Westminster and Whitehall, the UK political system, and she is widely recognised for her deep understanding of both media and political strategy.
Jo will join the team working across public affairs, media relations, and crisis and corporate communications to assist clients navigating media and political challenges. Drawing upon her years of experience in Westminster circles, Jo provides senior counsel and creative solutions. Jo is also a recognised media commentator for UK broadcasters and print media on current affairs, with frequent appearances on Times Radio, SKY News and BBC politics programmes. She is also a host Podcaster on Whitehall Sources and an Advisory Board Member of the Good Growth Foundation.
Chris Deri joins Rud Pedersen as a Senior Adviser, adding further international weight to the team. Chris has built a distinguished global career at the intersection of business, sustainability and public policy. Earlier in his career, he worked on Al Gore's Presidential campaign, spent 10 years building and leading Edelman’s global sustainability practice, served as Burson's China market leader, was a Senior Managing Director at Teneo, and more recently he was President of Weber Shandwick's Corporate Advisory businesses. Earlier this year, Chris founded US-based executive advisory firm KRG Advisors, which counsels on reputation risk & management, societal issues and geopolitics.
Welcoming the appointments, Jon Aarons, Managing Partner of Rud Pedersen UK, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Jo and Chris to our expanding London team. Jo’s political acumen and campaigning flair, combined with Chris’s global experience and strategic insight, will bring immense value to our clients. We look forward to benefiting from their vast experience and reputations as trusted counsellors. Their arrival underlines our commitment to attracting the very best talent in public affairs and communications and reflects Rud Pedersen’s continuing success in the UK market as part of the leading European advisory group focused on public policy and corporate reputation.”
These appointments come at a time of strong momentum for Rud Pedersen in the UK, with the firm continuing to expand its client base across multiple sectors and building on its reputation for high-level strategic advice. The Group opened its London office in January 2022 and has more recently established start-up offices or made acquisitions in Spain, Italy, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Croatia and the Czech Republic.