LONDON [10 September 2019] -- BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe), a leading global communications agency, today announced the appointment of the leading political strategist and commentator and former senior Labour adviser John McTernan as Senior Adviser in BCW London’s Issues and Public Affairs team.
McTernan is a former Director of Political Operations to former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair; Director of Communications to former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard; and has held several Special Adviser roles within the UK Government. He is a regular political commentator on television and radio and writes regularly for the Financial Times. McTernan joins from fellow BCW Group company PSB.
McTernan will provide senior political and communications advice across BCW clients and will work closely with Steve Hawkes, who recently left his role as Deputy Political Editor of The Sun to join BCW London, starting in October. Both McTernan and Hawkes report to Nick Williams, Managing Director and Head of Issues and Public Affairs.
Commenting on his appointment, McTernan said: “BCW’s political and campaigning strength in London is highly impressive and I am excited to join this team. It’s an extremely exciting, challenging and fast-moving environment where the political decisions of the day will impact every single business or investor with an interest in the UK.”
Williams added: “John’s insights and experience are widely recognised not only in the UK but also internationally. By bringing in this talent to the BCW team, we are fast building the UK’s strongest and most experienced political, campaign and issues management teams. The combination of the talents of the likes of John McTernan and Steve Hawkes, when combined with the existing team, makes BCW one of the foremost teams around.”