Austyn Close
Account Director
Austyn has worked with a wide range of organisations in London and Shanghai on global public affairs campaigns as well as corporate and consumer strategic communications.
Austyn is interested in geopolitics, foreign policy, humanitarian, and global development issues, having worked with the HIV Commission, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Justice for Lai Dai Han campaign, and the Institute for Economics and Peace. He is a regular commentator and advocate on Northern Irish politics and societal affairs, and is passionate about peace and security issues, conflict resolution, and reconciliation efforts as well as post-conflict state-building initiatives.
Among his previous work, Austyn has also advised a former UK foreign secretary on a global campaign combatting sexual violence in conflict and supported a fast-growing African fintech to build their European presence.
Austyn has broad expertise and has helped steer communications and public affairs strategies for clients in varying geographic markets and sectors. He has implemented communications and public affairs strategies for multinational corporates, such as IKEA and Pfizer, as well as semi-governmental bodies, including ApexBrasil (the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and Embratur (the Brazilian Tourist Board).
Prior to embarking on a career in communications and public affairs, Austyn obtained a bachelor’s degree in International Relations & History at the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) University of London, specialising in East Asian affairs.