Strategic communications consultancy Madano has hired Darran Messem as Director and head of its new Transport Practice, and as lead on their sustainable development work.

He joins from the Carbon Trust where he was managing director of Carbon Trust Certification and international director. Messem is also chairman of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, a membership and delivery organisation sponsored by the UK Department for Transport.

Transport and sustainable development are two areas of growing complexity and significance for many organisations. The two areas combine the strategically significant issues of electrification of transport and reduction of emissions, and fit Madano’s strategy of focusing on sectors where communications are critical to success. Messem will lead on helping clients involved in transport through the challenges and opportunities associated with key issues like emerging technologies, new infrastructure, pollution and fleet optimisation, while developing Madano’s services in sustainable development across the business.

Messem says, “Madano provides clients with outstanding clarity of strategic thinking and quality of communication delivery, and having known the company for many years I’m delighted to be able to use my experience in transport and sustainable development to help the company grow in these areas. The company is also well known for its innovation and creativity, which provides a great opportunity to develop my own ideas to help Madano and the company’s clients grow."

Messem’s expertise in transport, sustainable development, strategy and communication stretches back throughout his career. Messem was previously vice president fuel development at Shell where he was closely involved in renewable energy development and serving the transport sector; general manager market development at British Airways where he was responsible for customer insight and market research; and an associate consultant at OC&C Strategy Consultants where he worked with clients in transport and distribution. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Royal Geographical Society. 

Michael Evans, managing partner of Madano, says, “Darran is a perfect fit for Madano – with deep knowledge of both transport and sustainable development, coupled with his experience advising businesses and organisations at the very highest level. Given the breadth of the challenges we have in transport, as well as a growing focus on sustainability for many businesses, the role communications will have in helping to provide solutions is an excellent opportunity for us to officially launch both of our transport and sustainable development offerings, particularly given the increasing number of clients we have that require support in these areas."