Giles Kenningham
Giles Kenningham served as the head of political press to former UK prime minister David Cameron from June 2015 to July 2016 [1] , for which he earned an annual salary of £87,750. [2]
Prior to his appointment, he was director of communications for the Conservative Party from February 2013. [3]
He was also a special adviser to former secretary of state for communities and local government Eric Pickles.[4].
He was described by the Spectator as 'fast-talking' and 'one of the most effective Tory spin doctors'. [5]
Kenningham was awarded an MBE under Cameron's resignation honours list. [6]
Background
In 2006, Kenningham left his role at ITV as producer of ITN's Lunchtime News to join the Conservative Party as a press officer; claiming "We want to make the Conservative Party more relevant to people locally with less Westminster bias". Remarking upon the significance of Kenningham's appointment, Steven Porthouse of Newcastle-based Golley Slater PR said:
- Giles Kenningham's appointment highlights that the Conservative Party is taking seriously the fact that readers are increasingly placing more trust in the local media... Clients are asking us to focus on their local Press as well as national media as they realise that increasingly more and more people are getting their news from their local paper, local radio or TV station.[7]
Kenningham was appointed as special adviser following the general election in May 2010.[8]
After the 2015 general election, Kenningham was appointed as a head of political press at Number 10 Downing Street, replacing Alan Sendorek.[9]
Contact, Resources, Notes
Contact
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gileskenningham
Notes
- ↑ John Harrington, Conservative PR stalwarts Giles Kenningham and Caroline Preston take DOwning Street comms role, PR Week, 12June 2015, accessed 6 February 2017.
- ↑ [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/486829/List_of_Special_Advisers_in_post_at_17_December_2015.pdf List of special advisers in post at December 2015.
- ↑ LinkedIn, LinkedIn, accessed 6 February 2017.
- ↑ Department of Information Services, "Parliamentary Information List", accessed 07.09.10
- ↑ James Forsyth, Another sign that CCHQ is moving on to an election footing, The Spectator, 15 November 2012
- ↑ Haroon Siddique, Donors, aides and remainers dominate secret Cameron honours list, The Guadrian, 31 July 2016, accessed 6 February 2017.
- ↑ Peter Young, "Any other business", The Evening Chronicle, 30.08.06, accessed 13.09.10
- ↑ Cabinet Office Written Ministerial Statement on Special Adviser numbers, costs and revised model contract and code of conduct, accessed 13 September 2010.
- ↑ John Harrington Conservative PR stalwarts Giles Kenningham and Caroline Preston take Downing Street comms roles PR Week, 12 June 2015, accessed 15 June 2015.
