Our Associates
Paul de Bendern
Paul is a senior strategic communications specialist, with a particular expertise in emerging markets. He has spent the last decade advising CEOs, industry leaders, governments, and heads of state on complex reputation matters. For several years, Paul ran the international corporate communications strategy for one of the world’s largest national oil companies, supporting on a day-to-day basis the leadership with media and investor relations, crisis management, advertising, and stakeholder engagement. He has more than 15 years of experience as a senior international journalist for global Reuters news agency, with postings in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He is fluent in French, Spanish, Swedish and English.
Andy Holdsworth
Andy is a highly experienced communications and reputation management specialist who has worked with a wide range of clients responding to issues, crises and litigation both in the UK and abroad, including governments, businesses, and individuals. He has assisted clients with reputational challenges and litigation, including false accusations made on the BBC, ITV and Twitter, and high-profile legal cases. Andy has worked with organisations of all sizes and industries as well as Governments in preparing and developing crisis management procedures and response plans. His expertise has been sought by multiple sectors, including oil & gas, aviation, FMCG, education, sovereign wealth funds, charities, UHNWs and their private businesses.
Salomé Ashenden
After graduating with a Master’s degree in Science Communication and Media Production from Imperial College in 2021, Salomé worked for Voxia communication as a Financial PR Consultant on several complex matters. In 2023, she joined Stuart Leach Associates working with a diverse range of clients, from UHNWs to sovereign entities, investment funds, politicians, and private businesses. Emerging from a diverse background, Salomé is fluent in French, Spanish, Italian and English.
Anthony Carter
Having graduated from UCL in 2016 with a degree in Politics and East European Studies, Anthony worked as an investigative journalist specialising in financial corruption and compliance before transferring to CDS Mayfair in February 2020 as a paralegal, supporting the immigration team with research, translation, and administrative matters. He also assisted CDS Sports with esports consulting and research. Anthony now works for Stuart Leach Associates, where he leverages his legal and journalistic experience to assist clients in understanding the media landscape relevant to their reputation requirements. Anthony is fluent in Russian and English.
Georgia Leach
Georgia has worked in PR for a number of years and specialises in marketing strategies including rebranding, managing all social media platforms, press releases and organising high end events and campaigns. Most recently Georgia worked on a rebranding campaign for a renowned UK racehorse trainer. She brings a broad spectrum of knowledge and marketing experience to Stuart Leach Associates.
Evangeline Leeder
Evangeline completed her Master's degree in marketing from Queen Mary University in 2021. Following her graduation, she dedicated nearly two years to her role as a Marketing Assistant at Go City. Subsequently, she transitioned to the role of Account Manager at Vox, where she managed many clients within the travel industry. Evangeline now works for Stuart Leach Associates as the founder’s Executive Assistant where she continues to apply her versatile skill set.
