The Company of Communicators has welcomed 15 new communications leaders and business professionals as members.

They were admitted as company freemen at a virtual freedom ceremony on 25 February, overseen by master communicator Deborah Oliver.

The new members are:

• Chris Evans, creative director, Sherry Design
• Will White, global director of marketing & communications, Baker McKenzie
• Melissa Lawrence, chief executive, Taylor Bennett Foundation
• Robbie Sommerville, managing director of corporate affairs, Macquarie Group
• Pamela Kingsland, executive coach
• Andrew McConnell, head of media, UK Civil Aviation Authority
• Tijs Broeke, government relations lead, HP
• John Gill, account manager, Thoburns Communications
• Nick Dolezal, public relations and communications consultant 
• Samantha Chapman, strategic communications lead, Royal Navy
• John Slaughter, director of external affairs, Home Builders Federation
• Lorraine Donald, communications consultant
• Peter Dunphy, director, Company Sales Plus
• Richard Lambert, chief executive, National Hair & Beauty Federation

“Many members of the company have been challenged by the Covid-19 pandemic both professionally and personally. Their enthusiasm for the company and for the fellowship that it offers has strengthened over the past year. I am delighted to welcome these new freemen to our company in our 20th year,” says Oliver. “They are joining at an exciting time as we step towards being a worshipful company. Our focus is to promote the profession, to be active within the City livery movement, to raise funds for our charitable trust, to provide volunteering opportunities and to enjoy a wide range of events. We are also actively striving to embrace a culture of diversity and inclusion within the company – and to encourage it across the livery movement.”