Emma Kane

UK Chief Executive, Deputy Group CEO and Head of Western EMEA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmavkane/

emma.kane@secnewgate.co.uk

Emma Kane is a strategic communications expert whose career spans over three decades and has been focused on building brands and protecting reputations.

Emma is an expert in strategic communications focused on helping clients communicate in the most powerful and effective way across their whole spectrum of stakeholders. She is a special adviser to CEOs and Chairs of leading international organisations and is a black belt at issues and crisis management. Since 2020, has been included in the ‘PR Week UK Power Book’, the definitive guide to the brightest and most influential communications professionals in Britain.

She spent 18 years building her own corporate and financial communications business, Redleaf Communications, before become CEO of the Group that bought her agency in 2018. Since then, she has led the integration of all the Group’s four UK agencies and been part of the board that has transformed the Group into a major global, fully integrated communications group operating across five continents.

In her role as Head of Western EMEA, she has responsibility for growth of sales and talent across the Group’s agencies in UK, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Spain.

Emma’s career began in 1986 working in a communications agency specialising in the Government’s privatisation programme. Her first ‘in-house’ role was as Head of Marketing & Communications for ProShare, a body set up by the London Stock Exchange and industry to promote wider share ownership. She later became Head of Investor Services for Charles Schwab.

Emma is also actively involved in not-for-profit and philanthropic work. She is currently Deputy Chair of both Green Finance Institute and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. She is the former Chair of Target Ovarian Cancer and of the Barbican Centre Trust after 9 years in both roles. She is also a former trustee of The Wiener Holocaust Library, Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care (‘COSMIC’) and Nightingale Hammerson.

She is passionate about the arts and is an avid sculptor, and started life as a tenor saxophonist studying with the late Bobby Wellins.

Emma was recognised for her distinguished contribution to the communications sector with the Freedom of the City of London award in 2017and is a Member of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights.

Emma’s specialisms

We are a truly integrated team and strive to bring the perfect mix of talent and insight to every project. Below are some of the sectors and services I specialise in.

Strategy & Corporate Communications

We advise organisations through their growth cycle, from individuals and start-ups to global leaders.

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Financial Advisory & Transactions

Our experience spans M&A, hostile takeovers, defence and restructurings. We deliver compelling, clear and award-winning communications.

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Purpose & Sustainability

We work with organisations as they transition to a world of purpose and profit and engage all stakeholders to secure trust in corporate ESG...

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Crisis, Special Situations & Litigation

We provide immediate support and long-term strategic counsel to organisations facing complex reputational challenges or media scrutiny.

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Emma’s insights

SEC Newgate publishes a twice-weekly e-newsletter, as well as other regular sector-focused news and views. Below you will find the latest articles written by me or insights relating to my sector specialist areas.

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News

I remind myself every morning:
Nothing I say this day will teach me anything.
So if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening.

— Larry King, CNN

Recent work

We always strive to bring the perfect mix of experience and talent to every project. Whatever the discipline, for us it’s all about delivering positive change for our clients.

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