John McTernan

Global strategist and communicator who has advised Prime Ministers worldwide and appears widely in the media

Specialist Topics

  • Strategic communications
  • Storytelling
  • Reputation
  • Campaign strategy
  • Political operations
  • Policy advising
  • Media commentary
  • Government relations

Biography

John McTernan is a highly regarded communicator and campaign strategist who has worked with political and corporate clients around the world. He has worked widely in government – advising Prime Ministers in ten countries, and specialising in strategic communications, storytelling and reputation.

An experienced policy adviser and strategist, he was Prime Minister Blair’s Director of Political Operations, and worked in the departments of work and pensions, defence and Scotland during the Labour government.

He then worked as Director of Communications for Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Previously, he was Thinker in Residence for the Government of South Australia, and Head of Policy for the Scottish Government.

John appears frequently in the media, including on the BBC and Sky News, as well as writing regularly for the Financial Times, the New Statesman and the Spectator.

LATEST VIDEOS

Political Leadership: Future Directions

Political Leadership: Future Directions

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