James Thomas James Thomas has more than twenty years experience in international broadcast journalism, as a producer, reporter, news editor, and senior executive. James ran Reuters TV News operations in Asia from 1994 to 1998, and then returned to London as Reuters Marketing Director for Video News. Prior to joining Reuters, James worked as Asia Bureau Chief and Global News Operations Manager for Worldwide Television News – now APTN. James is currently London Bureau Chief of Linx Productions – an independent international TV News production and distribution company. He is Reuters lead trainer for DFID, and has also provided Reuters Foundation training for WFP and UNICEF. Additionally James does regular media training for UNODC, and has provided training in the private sector for companies such as TetraPak and Volvo Cars.
Nick Kotch Nick Kotch is a former Reuters Africa bureau chief who now works as a journalism and media trainer, a correspondent and a consultant across the continent. A Briton aged 53, he has also contributed to National Geographic, observed presidential elections in Cameroon and written the text of a photographic book on Nelson Mandela. A graduate of Oxford University, he speaks fluent French and passable Italian. Since leaving Reuters in 2004 after 27 years as a correspondent, editor and bureau chief, he has trained journalists and communicators in 20 African countries for a variety of international and African clients. Working in English or French his courses cover subjects as varied as governance, labour relations, business and sport. Clients include "Reuters Foundation, the International Labour Organisation, UNDP, the IAJ and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in South Africa".
Iain Rodger Iain Rodger has over 20 years' experience of working in business and the media. He worked for Reuters for 11 years, working in both equities and capital markets before becoming group advertising manager and finally global information manager. Jem Thomas Jem Thomas has extensive experience in media relations and strategic communication, having run media campaigns for the UK armed forces, NATO and the European Union, covering a wide spectrum of programmes, from democratisation to safety awareness. He latterly served as the Chief Instructor at UK’s Defence Media Operations Centre (DMOC), responsible for media relations and communication training and doctrine development across the UK Ministry of Defence. More recently he has trained and facilitated media campaigns for various governmental and non-governmental organisations, including the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights, UNICEF and the government of the United Arab Emirates. Jem also has an academic background in strategic communication, public diplomacy and public relations, with a diploma in PR (highest industry standard), a Masters degree in International Relations from Cambridge University and a Masters degree in Security Studies from St Andrews University. He is a Member of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). Melanie Cheary Melanie Cheary is an independent editorial and communications consultant working in Europe, the Middle East and Southern Africa, combining a high level of analytical ability with first class writing and presentation skills. Melanie was a Foreign Correspondent and Financial News Editor for Reuters News Agency for 13 years covering Africa and Europe. She now trains senior executives and public officials how to engage with the media. She has consulted on public relations matters for the United Nations’ Global Initiative on Human Trafficking, written two handbooks on economic and business news reporting and produced an analysis on the sustainability of the Gulf as a financial hub. In her journalism career, Melanie wrote extensively about economics, politics, environmental and social issues. As a senior writer for Reuters she reported on major blue-chip companies, particularly those in the natural resources and financial sector. Her articles have been widely published in the world's top newspapers and journals.
He then moved into the legal world and was communications manager for international law firm SJ Berwin. From there he moved to 'magic circle' firm Allen & Overy where for six years he was the global head of public relations. He is now an independent media advisor and trainer and has worked for a variety of law firms, banks and corporates.
He holds a degree in French and Spanish from Cambridge University.