Will Hardie

Will Hardie is a communication strategist, advisor and coach with more than 20 years’ experience working in more than 50 countries. He studied experimental psychology for a master’s at Oxford and later journalism and politics in the US. Will joined the Reuters news agency in London and took foreign correspondent postings in Brussels, Stockholm, and Belgrade. He specialized in financial and economic news, and reported on a many high-profile breaking stories. He covered major international summits, interviewed ministers, heads of state, CEOs and other senior executives, and managed regional teams of journalists.  

Back in London, Will co-founded Pinnacle PR, a global communications consultancy, and the International School of Communication (ISOC), a specialist professional training company. Will is one of the world’s leading communications advisors. He has executed large projects to create communication strategies and systems for national governments and major corporations. For six years, Will was the chief advisor to the head of communications in the office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. During that time, he advised and helped prepare for many interviews. Will has personally media trained more than 15 high-ranking cabinet ministers as well as five Sheikhs. He has also been involved behind the scenes in stage managing large-scale announcements and news events (e.g. Emirates Mars Mission) and managing the media dynamics around reputational challenges and crises.  

Elsewhere, Will has counselled hundreds of cabinet ministers, senior politicians, CEOs, and other senior executives across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. He specializes in executive coaching, media training, crisis communication, strategic messaging and communication strategy development. He has led long-term projects to develop top-level communication strategies for federal and national governments, and written crisis plans and positioning for global top-500 companies. Will lives in Dubai where he divides his time between managing ISOC and delivering consulting and training projects worldwide.