Simon Donohue

Associate Director (Manchester)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-donohue-7064a22a/

simon.donohue@secnewgate.co.uk

Head of SEC Newgate’s Northern office in Manchester, Simon is a strategic communications professional and former journalist with extensive experience across the public and private sectors.

He joined SEC Newgate from Transport for Greater Manchester, where he supported the rollout of the transformational Bee Network – GM’s vision for an integrated ‘London-style’ transport network - and led communications for the revised Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan.

In a first for a Destination Management Organisation, Simon served as Content Curator on behalf of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (now GM Business Board) at Marketing Manchester, part of the Growth Company. The role supported the city-region in increasing awareness of its sector strengths nationally and internationally, helping to attract inward investment, visitors and students.

Simon was previously part of the senior management team at the independent Manchester-based PR consultancy Intelligent Conversation, with clients including United Utilities, EMIS Group, Pharmacy2U and Manchester Metropolitan University.

An NCTJ-qualified journalist and editor, Simon worked at the Manchester Evening News for 15 years, with stints on the business and features desks. He edited the MEN’s award-winning standalone business magazine, Greater Manchester Business Week.

As a freelance journalist, Simon was a correspondent for titles including Place North-West, Property Week, Estates Gazette and the Big Issue North.

Away from work, Simon is a keen amateur photographer and lover of live music, including his own attempts to become a passable guitarist after too many years of trying.

Call Simon

Simon’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.

Planning & Engagement

As leading public consultation specialists, we have advised on some of the UK’s most significant development and infrastructure projects.

Learn more

Placemaking & Regeneration

We work across some of the most significant regeneration schemes in the UK and Europe...

Learn more

Residential

Our team has extensive experience in delivering locally and globally relevant campaigns for a broad range of residential-led businesses and projects, from landmark new destinations and mixed-use developments to branded residences and one-off luxury homes in London, the UK and overseas. We can support the full development lifecycle of projects with a full range of communications and stakeholder engagement services, helping clients...

Learn more

Property

The most comprehensive property comms team in the UK, with extensive experience across the breadth of the built environment.

Learn more

Energy, Transport & Infrastructure

Meet the team and find out more about SEC Newgate's expertise across the Energy, Transport and Infrastructure sectors.

Learn more

Transport

The transport sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by advances in technology, legislative change, and public transport reform, including devolved local control of bus services and rail nationalisation.

Learn more

Simon’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.

View all insights

News

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.

View all

Simon’s specialisms

Planning & Engagement

Placemaking & Regeneration

Residential

Property

Energy, Transport & Infrastructure

Transport

Simon’s insights

Devolution cannot arrive quickly enough for transport reform

Rail investment will see the North rise again

Planning ahead for 2026: your guide to the big events in planning and politics

What’s next for nuclear in the North?

All change for local public transport

Plants alone won’t solve a problem like Piccadilly Gardens

Shaping communities in partnership with local people will be key to New Towns success

Are Labour's planning reforms delivering for Greater Manchester?

CyanLines: Manchester’s £100m ambition to reconnect with nature

Recent work