Inmarsat set for IR and govt relations shake-up

McLaughlin’s role has been created following the acquisition of the company by private equity firms Apax Partners and Permira.

Inmarsat is keen to bolster its investor relations capability as it considers an IPO, as well as government relations. McLaughlin said he would look closely at the firm’s IR needs next month when newly appointed chief financial officer Rick Medlock joins.

Inmarsat does not use IR agency support, but a hire is likely to be considered. Medlock replaces Ramin Khadem, who is retiring after 24 years.

McLaughlin, who has a global remit and is based in London, said: ‘Government relations is another area I’ll be looking at. We don’t have a designated government relations agency.’

He added that options being considered included looking at government relations agency support on a project and country basis.

Inmarsat uses Bite Communications for PR support, the account for which is not under review.

Prior to McLaughlin’s hire, the most senior PRO at Inmarsat was comms manager Dominic Cook, who has now left the company.

McLaughlin, who reports to Inmarsat chairman and CEO Andrew Sukawaty, joined from Cable Partners, where he was head of worldwide communications .

McLaughlin was previously senior V-P of European comms at Visa. His other roles have included PR director at BBC Enterprises and EMEA public affairs director at Philip Morris.