Fiona Dick

Fiona has nearly 25 years’ experience providing communications advice to ministers and senior officials in central government. She has worked with a wide range of stakeholders, including the judiciary and Bar, academic institutions, trade associations, major City finance and legal firms, regulators, local government and the emergency services.

Communications specialist with experience of the very highest levels in Whitehall. Equally comfortable in strategy and delivery, people management and policy, tactics and analysis.

Although a media specialist at heart, particular roles have included the development of civil contingencies legislation and public warning policy, and contributions to two published reports from the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

With additional expertise in propriety, procurement, personal coaching and development and business continuity.

In the Cabinet Office Fiona’s roles included providing advice on political and business proprieties and developing the broadcasting protocols put into action when the 7/7 bombs exploded. She has been a mentor since 1999, for communications specialists and ethnic minority staff, many of whom are now senior civil servants in their own right.

Personal

Fiona lives in Surrey with her husband, an international banker, and several cats. Her first career was as a university lecturer. Her interests include: choral singing, horse riding, jewellery making, ancestry research and snorkelling in nice places. She is a Titulaire member of the Hospitalitė de Notre Dame de Lourdes..

Career summary

2010-Date

Consultant & Senior Associate of Halo Effect Ltd

Since ‘retirement’ Fiona has set up her own company, Phidelta Communications; become a trustee of a national charity; and completed two substantial charity treks, in aid of the Fountain Centre in Guildford – where she is now a fundraising and communications consultant.

2005-2010

Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (now part of CPS)

Provided strategic communications advice to Director and Board, to build recognition of new organisation. Grew team from 2 to 7 and successfully argued for 10-fold increase in budget.

2003-2005

Cabinet Office

Consultancy advice to the PM’s Delivery Unit and the Professional Skills for Government team; developed strategy to warn and inform the public in the event of a national catastrophe. Speaker at Emergency Planning College in Yorkshire.

2001-2003

Committee on Standards in Public Life

Press Secretary, briefing and drafting for 8th Report (MPs’ standards of conduct) and 9th Report (Ministers, Special Advisers and the Civil Service).

1998-2001

Cabinet Office (GICS Development Centre)

Deputy Director, leading on diversity; employment law; risk management; and financial planning (budget of £577,000 in 2000-01).

1987-1998

DTI, Home Office, DoE, No 10, ACAS, Lord Chancellor’s Dept.

Advising cabinet ministers and senior officials on a wide range of policy areas.