GFC/Net rebrands to Global Communication Partners

Shirley Collyer, Lansons, appointed Chair

Global Financial Communication Network, the global network of specialist financial communications agencies, has rebranded as Global Communication Partners (GCP). At the same time, Shirley Collyer has been elected Chair. Shirley is partner and board director of Lansons, the UK partner of GCP. Borouj Consulting is GCP’s partner in the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.
Explaining the rationale behind the rebrand, Paget Langford-Holt, former Chairman of GCP and CEO of Spanish partner Grupo Albion, said: “We are all financial specialists and that will remain the core focus for all of us. Nevertheless, our capabilities are wide ranging and have been increasingly applied to the needs of a broader spectrum of clients. They include strategic counsel, crisis and reputation management, digital communication and change management. We have therefore rebranded the network to take account of our broader focus and capabilities.”
Commenting on Shirley Collyer’s appointment, Randa Mazzawi, Managing Director of Borouj Consulting added: “Shirley was elected unanimously at our recent AGM that was organised in London this year. She has worked with a number of the partners over the years and we are delighted that she has accepted the role of Chair for the next two years. I am also pleased to announce that the partners have voted collectively for the UAE to be the host of the group’s 2018 Annual General Meeting. We are looking forward to welcoming them to Dubai, where they will be able to experience first-hand the reasons behind the global competitiveness and pioneering position that our financial centres have achieved. They will be the best ambassadors when they return to their home markets.”

Having worked extensively in Spain and Belgium, Shirley joined Lansons from J.P. Morgan in 1994 and provides strategic advice to a range of clients, mainly in the investment and pensions industry. Shirley also heads Lansons’ international team and has been chair of the CIPR International committee since September 2016.

Commenting on her appointment Shirley Collyer said: “GCP is an international network of best-in-market independent specialists who have on the ground knowledge, local expertise, personal approach, and who share the same philosophy of doing great work for our clients. I look forward to driving GCP forward and demonstrating the value of independent specialist agencies in this environment.”

“I would like to extend my thanks to Damien Ryan, CEO of Ryan Communications in Hong Kong, for his vigour in chairing and growing the network over the past two years.”