Blurred announces four new members of the team following year of 73% growth; plus, latest DEI data
We’re delighted to welcome four new team members this month – following a year of 73% fee growth - who will all be in role by the end of January 2022.
Charlotte Higgo joins our management team, as a consulting director, from APCO Worldwide where she was a director and co-led its European Practice on Impact, Climate and Sustainability.
Charlotte has over 20 years’ experience, having led multi-market campaigns focusing on climate change, ethical corporate practice, circularity, human rights and DEI. Charlotte started her career working for EPPA (European Public Policy Advisors) and also brings considerable public policy expertise.
Cathal Wogan also joins our management team as a consulting director, having been an independent consultant for two years, working closely with international issues-driven law firm PGMBM on media and issues for some of the world’s biggest corporate wrongdoing litigation related to environmental disasters in the global south, automotive pollution, healthcare device malfunction, and data and technology issues.
As well as ESG expertise, as a former journalist, Cathal has a particular expertise in the media, including strategic campaigning, reputation and risk management, issues and crisis communications, financial and shareholder communications, and broader media relations. Cathal has also worked in-house at both Quidco and the Post Office, as well as a stint at agency Third City.
Yashvee Kalia joins from Cicero/AMO as a junior consultant. Yashvee has a background in governance, policy and public affairs and has worked with clients such as AXA, World Pay and Bank of America. Yashvee holds a MSc in International Development from SOAS, University of London and brings an understanding of ESG risk through a specific public affairs lens.
And finally, Nathalie Diepstaten also joins as a junior consultant in her first permanent role, following internship stints at Lloyds Banking Group, Apella Advisors and Blurred.
Nik Govier, CEO and Founder of Blurred, says: “With these four new hires we’re further strengthening our ESGP (ESG plus Purpose) bench strength, particularly in the public affairs sphere. Our unique ESGP proposition encompasses management consultancy but also the ability to communicate with every possible stakeholder group from the capital markets to policy makers, employees, consumers and beyond. With these key hires, we’re not only building out our top team, but also nurturing new talent that can grow with us.”
Charlotte says: “Blurred are a unique team with a truly progressive approach to the nuts and bolts of consultancy life and how they approach their client’s challenges. I am very proud to be joining them.”
Cathal says: “It’s a joy to join the Blurred family, taking on global briefs and challenges of major consequence. It’s a unique mission, and the firm absolutely walks the walk in terms of combining world-class consulting with world-class creative.”
Yashvee says: “Blurred fully understands the fluidity of lines across sectors and disciplines being both strategic and creative. I am delighted to be joining the Blurred team and proud to be working with a purpose led and value centred advisory firm.”
Nathalie says: “I am thrilled to be joining the team at such an exciting time for the firm’s growth. Blurred is doing remarkable things in terms of setting the bar for strong values both internally and with clients and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Blurred is also publishing its latest DEI data. In 2020 Blurred announced ambitious DEI targets:
Ethnicity
By end of 2023: at least 40% of core team roles to be held by people from ethnic minority backgrounds
By end of 2023: at least 20% of senior roles in core team held by colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds
By end of 2026: at least 30% of senior roles in core team held by colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds
Gender
Ongoing: commitment to ensure that women hold at least 50% of core team roles and at least 50% of senior roles
Nik Govier says: “Since 2020 – when we first published our DEI data and ambitions – we’ve been regularly updating on progress, and with four new hires this seemed like another good moment. We’re pleased to announce that 31% of our core team is from an ethnic minority background, with 16% in senior roles, and 67% are female with 68% in senior roles.
“Hiring and developing people from diverse backgrounds is not only the right thing to do, but is also vital if we’re going to truly realise Blurred’s potential. Our clients have complex needs that require perspectives and world views that don’t come from one sector in society. The Blurred team is proudly diverse in terms of ethnicity, neurodiversity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religious belief, national origin and socio-economic background. Purposefully.”