Sarah Smallhorn Guppy is a senior communication professional with more than 22 years’ experience across corporate affairs disciplines. She has worked for several of the world’s largest companies including BHP Billiton, Shell International and IBM, and has a strong combination of strategic and implementation skills.

Sarah has extensive experience navigating complex organisations with significant reputational issues and iconic brands to protect.

With considerable cross-industry expertise in mining, oil and gas, transport, technology and government, she has an in-depth understanding of brand and reputational risk, commercial and industry issues, and has managed many high-profile issues and crisis communication situations.

Strategic planning is a core strength. In her role as manager of communication and stakeholder engagement for Brisbane Marketing, Sarah developed and delivered the Brisbane 2022 New World City Action Plan and was part of the team planning and managing stakeholder engagement for the city during the G20 meeting of global leaders in Brisbane in 2014.

Sarah has also worked as a senior communication advisor at Aurizon, Australia’s largest rail freight company, managing a range of key external communication and stakeholder projects.

While at BHP Billiton, she managed internal and external communication for two proposed new underground mines, requiring a strong understanding of social risk, issues management, employee and community engagement.

During her career Sarah was Head of UK Media and Group spokesperson while working with Shell International in London. In these roles, she was responsible for driving Shell’s Group reputation and growth strategy through communication with UK and international media, managed a team of people, and was a trusted advisor to the senior executive team.

Sarah is a passionate and articulate communicator with a dynamic personal style and outstanding relationship management skills.