Nicki Allitt

I am an accomplished strategic Communications Executive with over 28 years of experience providing strategic counsel to C-suite executives and influencing business strategy across diverse global industries. I guide companies through reputational and activism challenges, engage and motivate employees across culture, values and well-being, have strengths in structuring rapid change, transformations and turnarounds, as well as solid experience in financial results disclosure and communications across international stock markets. 

Here%27s what sets me apart:

Crisis, Reputation, and Issues Management: I have a proven track record in transforming brands, managing reputation, and navigating crisis and complex issues. My strengths lie in helping organisations navigate reputational management as it is critical to large publicly listed companies as it directly affects their financial performance, stakeholder relationships, and overall business sustainability. I have a demonstrated history of success in shaping and building positive reputations that can lead to increased investor confidence, customer loyalty, employee engagement, and market value, providing a range of benefits that contribute to long-term success. I have managed the positioning and stakeholder management across a range of issues such as: fair labour issues in supply chains in manufacturing sites, unions and employee industrial actions and strikes, quality issues relating to products, fatalities of employees, as well as compliance issues relating to labelling standards, to name a few. I can craft and guide the development of compelling narratives, enhance stakeholder trust, and guide organisations through crisis situations, ensuring their resilience and long-term success.

Financial Expertise: I have extensive knowledge of financial regulations and international market dynamics from my tenure in publicly listed companies across various stock exchanges (Euronext AMS, SMI, LSE, ASX, NYSE and NASDAQ CPH stock exchanges). I have successfully managed the preparation of market communications for all quarterly financial results for large, multinational publicly listed companies (Shell, Syngenta, ISS) for the last 18 years, working in close collaboration with Investor Relations. I also partner with M&A teams on large acquisitions and divestments to prepare market communications and stakeholder engagements. In addition, I manage a multi-million-dollar operational budget that includes forecasting, run-rate management and reporting. I also have experience in IPO communications. My broad financial expertise enables me to contribute valuable insights and helps make informed decisions.

Corporate Governance: I have a track record of serving on an executive board and committee of the Asherah Foundation - a non-profit organisation, based in Washington DC, dedicated to supporting women seeking a second chance through higher education scholarships. I chair the PR & Communications Committee. This experience has given me a deep understanding of corporate governance practices and ethical compliance. I am also a member of ISS’s Disclosure Committee that is responsible for managing disclosure obligations and ensure compliance with the Danish securities regulations and exchange listing rules. In addition, I am a member of ISS%27s Transformation Board, and actively contribute to shaping the cultural transformation of becoming The Company of Belonging. My leadership role as Chair of the Global Communications Leadership team demonstrates my commitment to effective governance across all geographies that we operate in.

Social Sustainability Focus: Understanding the significance of ESG in today%27s business landscape is critical to a company’s license to operate. I have developed a partnership with Tent Partnership for Refugees where ISS will hire 1,000 refugees over the next three years in Europe, along with in the US. We have entered a partnership with Valuable 500 and launched a new Mentor/Mentee programme, where C-suite leaders mentor employees with a disability. We have signed the UNs Women’s Empowerment Principles on a global scale. I have launched SaaS employee engagement apps, as well as our Employee Value Proposition – A Place To Be You, and our Company of Belonging cultural ambition.

Diversity and Inclusion Champion: I am deeply committed to promoting D&I, particularly gender equity, within organisations. By integrating inclusivity into engagement strategies and fostering a culture of belonging, I ask the right questions to help organisations unlock the full potential of their workforce and drive innovation. In 2023, I have completed the Executive Women in Leadership programme from Cornell University in the US which focused on the gender biases women face in the workforce and strategies to break these down.

Board Readiness: I am currently undertaking Deloitte%27s Board Readiness Programme.