Brexit is of great concern to us all in the UK. How we arrived at this point, how might the process unfold and what are the possible outcomes are all mysteries which keep the thinking section of the British population awake at night.
There is more than one truth and smart strategies to influence "reality" matter more than ever. This is true not just in Britain or about Brexit but around the world - think of "alternate facts" and "fake news" which became a feature of the US political vocabulary. And of course South Africa, too. The role of global public relations companies is central to the shaping of perceptions and so what happened to Bell Pottinger as a result of its practices in South Africa is very much relevant to how we form our views about important matters generally.
So we were incredibly fortunate to have Roland Rudd as our speaker at an OD lunch at The Carlton Club in London on Friday 27th October. Roland is the founder and chairman of Finsbury, one of the world's most influential PR companies who advises massive global clients, both commercial and political.
He began his talk by describing what PR companies do and the need to be smart but ethical. The idea that PR firms can somehow make uncorrupt clients virtuous is a nonsense as Bell Pottinger found out to its cost.
Roland is a "remainer" and in a sharply insightful and very humorous way spelled out the history of the Brexit debate and why it first went to the country as a referendum and then again, disguised as a general election. Speaking under the Chatham House rule makes it impossible to report the story in all its detail, but suffice to say that Roland's views are predicated on the fact that he was deeply involved in the strategic planning of the referendum, personal friends of the key players and enjoys long and close relationships with many of the politicians involved (and are still involved) to make the speech hugely credible and in parts disturbing.
As a small deviation, prompted by a question from Gareth Penny, Roland who began his working career as a journalist explained how he was able to start his own company (Finsbury) from nothing and build it into the great success it is today. Follow three principles: take risks, have energy and be decisive.
As a former President of the Oxford Union, Roland speaks with authority, engagement and a compelling logic.
Gareth Penny, endorsed enthusiastically by all of us, thanked Roland and presented him with A Brush with Bishops, the magnificent book which describes Bishops through beautiful paintings and sketches by Richie Ryall and a text by Dr Paul Murray, head of history at Bishops.
Click on pictures to enlarge
A guest list appears at the end of this blog
Pre-lunch drinks in the Drawing Room:
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| Tim Stevens, Jeremy Ouvry and Paul Betts |
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| Paul Betts, Grant Challis and Greg Baldwin |
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| Carole and Anthony Record with Jeremy Ouvry |
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| Mike Mills and Roland Rudd |
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| Richard Westby-Nunn and Grant Challis |
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| David Jordan and Jeremy Ouvry |
Lunch:
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| The beautifully-laid table in the Cabinet Room |
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| Stuart Commins and Anthony Record |
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| Harris Gorre and Charles Jillings |
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| Paul Betts, Harris Gorre, Charles Jillings and Gareth Penny |
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| Greg Baldwin, Guy Whitfield and Grant Challis |
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| Chaaba Jangulo, David Jordan, Adrian Kritzinger, Stuart Commins, Anthony and Carole Record |
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| Michael Mills, Denis Christie and Alex Price |
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| Paul Betts, Charles Jillings, Gareth Penny, Roland Rudd and Michael Mills |
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| Gareth Penny, Roland Rudd, Michael Mills and Denis Christie |
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| Miles Maskell and Jeremy Ouvry |
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| Guy Whitfield, Chaaba Jangulo and Adrian Kritzinger |
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| Miles Maskell, Jeremy Ouvry and Chaaba Jangulo |
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| Stuart Commins and Alex Price |
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| Gareth Penny thanking Roland Rudd |
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| Roland Rudd with A Brush with Bishops |
The guest list:
