Fourtold Appoints Veteran International Political Comms Specialist James Holtum, as Senior Advisor and Head of Political Engagement
February 15th, 2022
Integrated strategic communications and public affairs consultancy, Fourtold, has appointed Brussels-based international political communications specialist, James Holtum, in a move to broaden and further elevate the consultancy’s strategic advisory and public affairs offer.
James is former Head of Communication for a European Parliament political group, working on behalf of politicians from eighteen different EU Member States, and leading on successful advocacy campaigns, ranging from counter-terror legislation to animal welfare. Prior to that, he headed the UK Conservative Party’s media operation in Brussels.
James has led multinational campaigns, resolved reputational crises, and raised media and public awareness of the latest trends in technology and disinformation. His work has involved drafting speeches for Presidents, Prime Ministers, and parliamentarians, and leading campaigns for democratic governments, tech, and space firms.
James joins Fourtold from consultancy Rasmussen Global, where he served as European Affairs Director and Media Director and was the spokesperson for CEO Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Danish PM and NATO Secretary-General.
During his time at Rasmussen, James also served as a Senior Adviser to a transatlantic campaign to prevent election interference, within a commission whose members included Joe Biden, John Kerry, and Nick Clegg, and wrote extensively on the challenge of foreign meddling and disinformation to democratic societies, including developments in artificial intelligence and the dark web.
Fourtold now numbers more than thirty people in the UK, Belgium, Germany, and the US. Recent arrivals include Managing Consultant Marin Hirschfeld; Senior Consultant Zoha Azhar, and consultant Jordan-Nicolas Matte.
Debbie Parriss, Fourtold’s Managing Partner comments: “James arrives at Fourtold during a period of sustained growth and brings added firepower to our evolving public and corporate affairs offer. He joins Tatu Liimatainen, Director of EU Public Affairs, and our fast-growing Brussels-based PA team, and is perfectly matched to meet the needs of an increasing number of clients looking for support through skilled political advocacy and engagement. His understanding of policy development, depth of policy knowledge, and political insight – from stakeholder mapping to on and offline campaign and content development – is outstanding, and we are very excited about his part in our future growth.”
James Holtum adds: “Fourtold is on an impressive growth trajectory and I’m particularly excited about its work with clients that seek to address some of the world’s greatest science and tech challenges. I’m looking forward to helping our clients punch through the noise and lay out their stalls to politicians, policymakers, and the media.”
James’ appointment builds on Fourtold’s fast-growing science, health, and technology client base, and reputation for integrated advocacy and communications work with global organisations, including Vodafone, PepsiCo, and Johnson & Johnson.
About Fourtold
Fourtold was set up in 2013 and provides its clients with smart, modern, integrated hands-on communications and public affairs consultancy – from strategy to delivery – in the UK, EU, and internationally. It helps clients gain trust in the science and technologies that can help tackle the global challenges of our time.
Fourtold works with global organisations including Vodafone, PepsiCo, Healthy Europe, Johnson & Johnson, CropLife Europe (formerly ECPA), and Brewers of Europe.
– ENDS –
Note to editors:
Fourtold (www.fourtold.eu) is an independent consultancy, providing strategic communications and reputation counsel to global organisations in the health, science, and technology industries.
Fourtold operates from Oxford, Brussels, Germany, and Boston in the USA and has a network of associates across Europe. The consultancy has active partnerships with other independent consultancies to broaden and add depth to its public affairs offer.
In 2018, Fourtold was named the PRCA’s Medium Consultancy of the Year in its annual UK award. In the same year, it was recognised in the European Association Awards, and was a finalist in the Best Agency Outside London category of the PR Week Awards.
For further information, please contact:
Anne Visintin
+44 7763378371 / anne.visintin@fourtold.eu
by Adam Powell