Hugo MacPherson

Hugo MacPherson is Head of Network at the European Strategic Communications Network (Jan 2015 – Present).

His previous experience included stints as Deployable Civilian Expert (standby) for the UK Government's Stabilisation Unit (May 2011 – Present). His specialist area is listed as ‘the Islamic World’; a brief spell at Amnesty and Save the Children; over two years at Al Jazeera; and a brief stint setting up ‘independent’ radio stations in Afghanistan, ‘With US and international backing’ in 2004-5.

Hounslow

Notably he ‘launched’ the MPower Youth Project - part of the government's Counter Terrorism Prevent agenda – in the London Borough of Hounslow (November 2008 – April 2011). According to MacPherson:

I launched one of the largest community-led, UK government-funded Preventing Violent Extremism projects in West London. The MPower Youth Project - part of the government's Prevent agenda - identifies and engages disaffected Muslim youth from South Asian and Somali backgrounds who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and we support them with police input and community help. This multi-agency, community-based approach is unique in Europe and the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism has trained me to deliver workshops to raise awareness of radicalisation issues in communities. Nationally, I liaise with government partners in OSCT and the Home Office. I also act, to date, as consultant to counter-radicalisation projects in the UK and abroad.

Leading on budgeting and tailoring output to suit local, national and international priorities, my role was what I made it - with some considerable success. MPower became a model for other counter-radicalisation projects in Europe and our work supporting vulnerable young people in communities and schools is still being showcased in UK and abroad.

At the time - from 2002-9 - the Principal Community Cohesion Officer at Hounslow, with oversight of Prevent spending, was Sabin Khan. From November 2008 to April 2011 Hugo MacPherson was 'Director - Community CT Project' at the London Borough of Hounslow.

MacPherson went on to work at the European Strategic Communications Network while Sabin Khan was deputy director at RICU, which has oversight of ESCN.

UK government adviser - 2011

According to his LinkedIn profile in 2020 between January 2011 and April 2012 he 'Advised on scenarios on freelance basis for, one, large and small communications companies with a Middle East focus and, two, small consultancies advising government on tactical engagement of youth from minority communities.' In 2012 he appeared at the Frontline club to discuss extremism and his government contracts are referred to as follows: 'Recently he was part of a UK team sent to the Middle East to advise on effective youth engagement policy during the Arab Spring.'

Publications

• McPherson, H., Wood, W. D., & Robinson, D. M. (Eds.). (2007). Emerging Threats to Energy Security and Stability: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Emerging Threats to Energy Security and Stability, London, United Kingdom, from 23 to 25 January 2004. Springer Science & Business Media.