A longtime business journalist, Catherine understands executives and corporate strategy. For more than 15 years she has helped businesses tell their stories to customers, whether they be other businesses or individual consumers, as well as to decision-makers in governments and other institutions. She delves into the research to produce content that’s educational and actionable, while always connecting readers on a human level, using all the levers of communication, from articles and infographics to social media and scripts.

Catherine previously spent more than a decade as an editor at The Wall Street Journal, where she rose to running its European edition during such historic events as the adoption of the euro and the 9/11 attacks.

Languages: English, French, Swahili

Sector expertise: Financial Services, Technology, Logistics, Supply-Chain Management, Cybersecurity, Trade, Health Care, Pharmaceuticals

Senior Adviser, Strategic Communications

Keir is an experienced communications and public affairs consultant who has advised clients in the chemical, pharmaceutical, aerospace, logistics, energy and financial services sectors in addition to having worked as a journalist and editor for organisations including Bart International and NATO.

He is a U.S./Belgian dual national who speaks English, French and Dutch.

Expertise: Business writing, executive communications, speechwriting, editorial planning and strategy and event communications.

Jones is an accomplished media professional with two decades of experience with the European Union, specializing in economic, political and financial-markets coverage. He has a strong record of managing diverse tasks and teams to produce insightful and engaging reports on topics important to stakeholders in Brussels, including as bureau chief for Bloomberg News and head of WSJ.com's Brussels operations.

Languages: English, native speaker; French, basic.

Paul is a senior consultant and former journalist with over eight years’ experience advising a wide range of clients, including some of the best-known technology companies in the world, on how to communicate in Brussels. Most of his 20 years as a reporter was spent covering EU affairs for titles including The New York Times and Dow Jones Newswires.

As the New York Times’ correspondent, he wrote about macro-economic, trade, antitrust and political topics, as well as general news from Belgium.

In addition to providing strategic advice and top-quality editorial content Paul has excellent connections with some of the most respected correspondents in Europe, which has helped generate coverage in titles including the Economist, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, Politico and the BBC.

He also provides media training and classes in clear writing. Clients include EU ambassadors and other senior officials from many of the EU institutions.

Philip Springuel is an experienced manager of business and non-profit organisations who recently served as the Executive Director of the World Lottery Association (WLA) in Basel, Switzerland. Philip provides executive leadership, governance, advocacy and fundraising expertise. He may offer strategy briefings, coaching and interim project management. He also serves as an efficient debate moderator or workshop and brainstorming facilitator, in either private or open settings, helping teams and organizations focus on essential goals and strategies to reach them.

Before leading the WLA, Philip was the Head of Corporate Affairs at EUFIC, a European food and beverage industry association in Brussels, for six years. For two years prior, he was the global Project Director of World Kidney Day, for which he raised funds and established partnerships in 90 countries. Over the last 12 years specific to leadership of non-profit interest groups or trade associations, Philip has been responsible for strategic vision, program and project management, stakeholder management and advocacy, corporate and government relations, crisis communications, administration, budget management, human resources, membership development and fundraising.

Philip is current Honorary President and past President of the European Society of Association Executives (AssociationExecutives.EU), is the former Head of Crisis Communications at the European Association of Communication Directors (EACD), and today is a member of the global Project Management Institute (PMI) and its Swiss Chapter.

Languages: Bilingual French and English, intermediate Spanish, basic Dutch, learning German and Arabic.

Sector expertise: Gaming for public good, food & nutrition, pharma, technology, consumer electronics, humanitarian and legal aid, economic empowerment, youth, sports and well-being.

Irene has been a communication and event manager since 2009, providing a full range of project management services with a particular focus on events for up to 1,500 participants on behalf of the European Union institutions in EU Member States and outside the EU. She has solid experience in the design and onsite management of exhibition stands for international fairs.

Languages: Spanish, English, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

Sector expertise: Events, Communication, Social Media, Stakeholders Management, International Relations, Aerospace, and Sciences.

Patricia Toti is an experienced training and events consultant with over 20 years of international experience, having worked in the EU, Canada, USA and Southern Africa. She offers global expertise on all aspects of training to build effective and high performing teams and comprehensive event project management to create memorable and impactful events. Patricia was responsible for, among others, all the logistics for the CEPS Ideas Lab (2014 – 2018 -Belgium); the Estonian – The Digital Presidency event (Belgium 2017); and The Woman of the Year Award (South Africa 2019)

Patricia is backed by a Masters in Leadership and Training and a solid repertoire of varied events under her belt: large and complex conferences; fundraisers; branding events; trade shows and VIP retreats. She is an active and constant learner, fully engaged in current leadership, team building and event management research, models and best practices. And, yes, she thinks creatively and outside the box.

Languages: English, Italian, French

Sector expertise: Training, Event Project Management, Team Building, Leadership Development, Customer Experience, Sponsorship and Fundraising, Networking and Engagement