Emma Kane is a strategic communications expert who specialises in crisis management and corporate/financial communications. Her career spans over three decades and she brings a wealth of experience to her role as Chief Executive of SEC Newgate UK, and Deputy Group Chief Executive of SEC Newgate S.p.A. The international communications group is listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and operates across 31 countries, has over 600 employees and is ranked in the top 30 largest agencies in the world.
Emma's career began in 1986 at Dewe Rogerson and her first in-house role was as Head of Marketing & Communications at ProShare, the body set up by the London Stock Exchange and industry to promote wider share ownership. She later headed investor services at Charles Schwab prior to establishing her own agency, Redleaf Communications. During her tenure as Chief Executive at Redleaf, the agency acquired and effectively integrated financial services public relations agency, Polhill. In 2018 she sold Redleaf, the agency rebranded as Newgate and Emma became CEO of the enlarged group.
Emma divides her time between her executive roles and her philanthropic work. She is currently Chair of the UK’s leading ovarian cancer charity, Target Ovarian Cancer. She is also Deputy Chair and Chair of the Global Development Board of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. In May 2021 she stepped down as Chair of The Barbican Centre Trust after 9 years in the role.
She is passionate about the arts and is an avid sculptor. She has a Diploma in Jazz and Popular Music and started life as a tenor saxophonist, trained by Bobby Wellins.
Emma was recognised for her distinguished contribution to the communications sector with the Freedom of the City of London award in 2017. In 2020 and 2021 she was included in the 'PR Week UK Power Book', the definitive guide to the brightest and most influential PR professionals in Britain.
