The Team

In Australia, Weber Shandwick is driven by a team of spirited leaders, passionate about what they do and absolutely committed to the people they work with every single day.

Ian Rumsby

Chairman / Australia

Chairman, Australia Ian began his career in public relations having completed a commission as an officer in the Royal Navy. The diversity of his client work – from Budweiser to Pfizer and Singapore Airlines to the Australian Commonwealth - has reinforced an absolute belief that the power of storytelling is applicable to a beverage company as it is a government department. And that is what he thrives on – defining, articulating and amplifying those stories. Ian joined Weber Shandwick on its ...

Lisa Popplewell

General Manager, VP of Technology / Technology

Lisa Popplewell has lived, worked and played in the technologies space for more than a decade – all of it within the Weber Shandwick network of businesses. With career stints in both London and Sydney, she has brought her passion for making technology relevant to the least tech-savvy consumer to the forefront of every campaign she has lead. Her enthusiasm is infectious, whether in regard to reputation management, thought leadership, issues management, brand development or product launches. ...

Simon Schweigert

General Manager / Melbourne

Simon’s first job in communications was to tell the age old story that prevention will always be better than chasing the cure. On that occasion it related to women’s health. He’s been telling similar stories on behalf of clients in other major industry sectors, ever since. For more than 20 years, Simon has worked with the likes of United Airlines, Intel, Budweiser, Lufthansa, Proctor and Gamble and OMRON. That work lead him to Asia where, for nearly a decade, he held senior positions with ...

Heidi J. Noble

Vice President / Consumer and Lifestyle

After earning a Master’s degree specialising in International Public Relations, Heidi’s career immediately began crossing borders. A consumer PR specialist and true media mind, Heidi has proven expertise in innovative program development for major brands ranging from commodities to cooking schools. Over time, her personal passion points and professional focus have merged to create a hub for adventures across food, beverage and culinary arts. In fact, after work you’re most likely to fi...

James Abbott

Vice President / Strategic Counsel

James Abbott is driven by a simple purpose – strategic thinking to solve business and communications problems. He has a firm belief that with the right strategy, issues are prevented, value is generated, brands are built and protected. James has consulted at the highest level across a broad range of industries and advised several of Australia’s largest and most successful corporations. He also has extensive experience directing strategies for government departments and not-for-profits, parti...

Jacquelynne Willcox

Head of Public Affairs / Public Affairs

Jacquelynne Willcox is an experienced public affairs and crisis & issues management practitioner,with considerable experience in litigation support. She has worked across a range of issues from maritime disasters, intellectual property and contractual disputes and developing strategies to influence legislation and regulation. Jacquelynne is an experienced journalist, having worked in print, television and radio as a reporter, producer and presenter. She also writes opinion columns for...

Mary Smiddy

Senior Vice President / Health and Wellness

Mary began her career as a nurse in Dublin, Ireland, specialising in Intensive Care. It was a training that has touched every aspect of her life since – from the empathy and purpose she applies to the management of client engagements to the collaboration and leadership she brings to those in her team. Mary's move into healthcare communications came on the back of a Diploma in Business Studies and time on the front line of stakeholder engagement, in medical sales. Mary is a true internationalis...

Jye Smith

Digital Strategist / Digital

Digital Strategist, Australia Jye's passion for marketing, music and media found a common thread through the online production of live gigs across South Sydney. Those combined passions became the catalyst for a career in digital communications and a reputation as one of the brightest digital strategists in the country. As a national events manager at an interactive media association, Jye's experience in big brand digital marketing helped him produce events and seminars for Google and Intel whil...