Susan Gilchrist — Strategic Visionary in Global Communications Leadership
Susan Gilchrist stands among the foremost figures in global corporate communications. As Chair, Global Clients at Brunswick Group, she has shaped how multinational organisations handle reputation, crises, and mergers in an era of accelerated public scrutiny. Her journey from an English Literature graduate at King’s College London to one of the most influential women in corporate advisory exemplifies intellectual precision combined with strategic empathy—a combination that continues to redefine the standards of global communications leadership.
Susan Gilchrist Age, Early Life and Academic Foundations
Born on 26 May 1966 in the United Kingdom, Susan Gilchrist’s early academic life reflected an enduring fascination with language, interpretation, and the human narrative. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth) from King’s College London between 1984 and 1987. Her humanities education would later prove instrumental in crafting persuasive narratives for boardrooms and global audiences alike.
In 2014, King’s College recognised her achievements by awarding her a Fellowship, celebrating her as a distinguished alumna who has contributed significantly to international business and ethical leadership.
Professional Journey: From Journalism to Strategic Advisory
Beginnings in Consulting and Journalism
After graduation, Gilchrist entered Bain & Company as an Associate Consultant (1987 – 1990). Her analytical work at Bain honed her grasp of business dynamics and problem-solving frameworks. She then transitioned to journalism, working as a business reporter at The Times, where she developed a sharp instinct for narrative construction and crisis communication.
Rise at Brunswick Group
Susan Gilchrist joined Brunswick Group in 1995—a pivotal moment that set the course of her professional legacy. Over three decades, she ascended through multiple leadership roles:
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US Managing Partner (2010 – 2012) – establishing Brunswick’s influence in North America.
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Group Chief Executive (2012 – 2018) – overseeing global expansion, specialist growth, and professionalisation of management.
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Chair, Global Clients (2018 – Present) – guiding Brunswick’s most high-profile clients through complex transformations, crises, and reputational transitions.
Under her direction, Brunswick solidified its reputation as a trusted advisor in M&A communication, ESG strategy, corporate reputation, and board-level crisis management.
Leadership Philosophy: Trust, Clarity, and Global Perspective
Championing Corporate Reputation
Gilchrist’s leadership emphasises the strategic value of trust—a scarce currency in global business. Her work integrates narrative coherence with data-driven insight, enabling executives to navigate mergers, litigation, and stakeholder tensions with authenticity.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
As a recognised advocate of women in leadership, she supports the 30 % Club, aiming to achieve greater gender balance in corporate boardrooms. Her tenure also reflects Brunswick’s commitment to inclusive management and ethical communication across its offices in London, New York, Singapore, and beyond.
Education Beyond Academia: Harvard and Executive Training
To complement her leadership responsibilities, Susan Gilchrist completed an Executive Leadership Course at Harvard Business School. The programme reinforced her evidence-based approach to organisational transformation, helping her blend analytical reasoning with cultural awareness—skills vital for navigating communications in multinational contexts.
Affiliations and Public Service
King’s College London
Gilchrist serves as Vice-Chair of the Advisory Council at King’s Business School, where she guides the strategic interface between academia and industry. Her continued presence ensures that the university remains aligned with real-world ethical and managerial challenges.
The Southbank Centre
As former Chair of the Southbank Centre, she contributed to one of Europe’s largest cultural institutions, strengthening its public identity and governance frameworks.
KPMG UK Public Interest Committee
In August 2025, Susan Gilchrist joined the Public Interest Committee of KPMG UK as an Independent Non-Executive Member, extending her impact into the realm of corporate integrity and audit transparency. The appointment underscores her reputation as a trusted guardian of stakeholder interests and ethical accountability.
Recent Developments: Strategic Roles and Advisory Influence
Deliveroo–DoorDash Merger
In 2025, Brunswick Group, under Gilchrist’s strategic counsel, advised Deliveroo on its landmark acquisition by DoorDash. This high-profile transaction required sensitive communication with investors, regulators, and employees, highlighting her firm’s expertise in navigating transformative market events.
Thought Leadership
Through contributions to Brunswick Review, including pieces like “The Endurance Entrepreneur”, Gilchrist continues to shape the discourse on corporate resilience, leadership ethics, and communications innovation. Her essays capture the shifting balance between authenticity, data, and societal expectation in modern business.
Susan Gilchrist Husband and Personal Life
Susan Gilchrist is married to Andrew Roberts, Baron Roberts of Belgravia (born 1963), a prominent British historian and author known for acclaimed biographies of Churchill and Napoleon. Together, they embody an intellectual partnership bridging politics, culture, and strategic communication.
Now aged 59 years, Gilchrist resides in London, where she maintains both her professional base and philanthropic engagements. Her interests span art, literature, and the advancement of women in executive leadership.
Legacy and Leadership Impact
Transforming Brunswick Group
During Gilchrist’s time as Group Chief Executive, Brunswick evolved from a partnership-based consultancy into a global powerhouse of strategic advice. She drove cross-border integration, introduced data-analytics divisions, and prioritised training in reputation risk—aligning communications with corporate purpose.
Mentorship and Thought Leadership
She mentors emerging leaders within Brunswick, advocating emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, and clear storytelling as the cornerstones of effective communication. Her belief that “every corporate decision must earn public trust” continues to influence internal culture and client strategy alike.
Contact Details
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Telephone: +44 (0)20 7404 5959
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Office: 16 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3ED, United Kingdom
These details connect her to Brunswick’s international headquarters, where she remains active in client advisory and board-level communication strategy.
Recognition and Future Outlook
Susan Gilchrist’s contributions have secured her place among the most respected strategists in British business. Her ability to merge analytical depth with human understanding positions her as a leading voice on the future of corporate reputation.
Looking ahead, her involvement with KPMG UK, King’s College, and Brunswick Group suggests a deepening focus on public trust, governance ethics, and responsible innovation. As businesses face greater transparency demands, her approach—grounded in truth, empathy, and accountability—offers a model for sustainable leadership in a complex global environment.
Conclusion: The Power of Integrity and Communication
Susan Gilchrist’s story reflects more than professional success; it demonstrates how language, leadership, and ethics converge to shape modern business. From a young consultant at Bain to the strategic helm of Brunswick, she has redefined what it means to communicate with integrity. In her, global corporations find not just a communications advisor, but a custodian of trust—proving that authentic leadership remains the ultimate differentiator in a connected world.
