David Mencer

A biography of David Mencer on the Labour Friends of Israel site via the internet archive, August 2003 states:

Having attended Hasmonean High School in London, David Mencer went on to spend a year of study in Jerusalem, focusing on Middle Eastern historical, religious and political culture. He was in Israel during the Gulf War of 1991, and was able to volunteer for a short time in the Israel Defence Forces.

On returning to the UK, David attended the London Guildhall University, where he studied Politics and Government. He completed his final year dissertation on the vexed question of the sovereignty of Jerusalem within the context of the Middle East Peace Process.

David initially went into the House of Commons in 1995 as a research assistant to Joan Walley MP, when she was the Shadow Transport Minister. He subsequently worked for a number of shadow ministers, working finally for Gwyneth Dunwoody, Chairman of the Transport Select Committee and President of LFI.

As Mrs Dunwoody's political aide and, following that, her electoral agent, David orchestrated her 1997 General Election campaign in Crewe and Nantwich, where her majority was raised from 2,000 to 16,000.

A short time after the 1997 General Election, David replaced his freelance political consultancy work for a full-time position as a Public Affairs Executive at The Waterfront Partnership. There, he was able to provide public affairs advice to a number of leading companies in the transport and food sector.

David Mencer became the Director of LFI in July 1998. He held the post for 6 years until May 2004.

Other activities

Weber Shandwick

According to his profile on LinkedIn, Mencer worked at public relations firm Weber Shandwick as Director of the Department for Education Account between January 2005 and March 2008. He claims to have 'directed two of the firms biggest clients, Department of Children Schools and Families and Save Darfur Coalition.

Raphael Consulting

He then worked as a Senior Consultant in the Central Office of Information from March 2008 – March 2010.

In January 2008 he set up his own PR firm Raphael Consulting, to 'provide high-level strategic and bespoke advice on public affairs, high value business to business, corporate-Government partnerships, fundraising and communications'.

Mencer describes himself as:

A senior practitioner and accomplished professional communications specialist with extensive experience and considerable knowledge of public affairs and corporate communications. With sixteen years experience, particular expertise in reputation management, stakeholder relations, media relations, crisis comms, media training, workings of Parliament, Whitehall, politics in Brussels, Paris and Rome and fundraising. With an acclaimed record of promoting misunderstood and difficult causes as well as profile raising, directly to Government, stakeholders and media.