Robert founded London Communications Agency in 1999 and from 1999 to 2010 Robert was the company’s Chairman and Managing Director. In 2010, fellow founder Jonny Popper took over as MD and in September 2021 Robert stepped down as Chairman to become a Senior Adviser for LCA and Jonny became CEO.
In his role as Senior Adviser, Robert continues to focus on a small number of key clients, as well as providing advice to other clients, based on his over 30 years’ experience working on the London agenda. He also helps with new business, promoting the company and commentating on London issues. His clients include Brentford FC, British Land, Clarion Housing, Kings Cross, Therme, The National Gallery and Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Prior to setting up the company, he was Deputy Chief Executive of London First, the business campaign group, and London First Centre, the inward investment agency. Before London First, he was Head of Public Affairs for London Arts Board, opened an art gallery in New York and spent six years in various sales and marketing posts with Matthew Clark & Sons plc.
Robert graduated in law from Southampton University and was educated at St. Johns School, Leatherhead, where he was a Governor from 1996-2011. He presented a weekly radio show on LBC called The Business from 1999-2202. In 2005 he served on the Private Sector Challenge Panel reviewing the Metropolitan Police’s budget. For recent general, GLA and local elections he has been ITV London and LBC’s political analyst and reviews the papers on BBC Radio London. He was Chair of the Mayor’s Thames Festival from 2012-2020 and is listed in PR Week’s annual Powerbook.
His other main interests are theatre – both acting and producing – cricket and wine which he combines in his role as Chairman of Sporting Wine Club.