What we do
Retained Strategic Communications Counsel
Ongoing access to senior judgment, strategic perspective, and decision support. Advisory-led. Flexible. Non-operational.
An ongoing advisory relationship providing direct access to senior judgement and sense-checking on complex communications, narrative, and stakeholder issues related to the energy and sustainability transitions. For leaders who need trusted counsel they can draw on as issues arise - without adding complexity or overhead.
What’s included
Direct access to Tom Rayner for strategic questions, sense-checks and decision support.
Access for one named primary contact, plus one additional senior contact if helpful.
A monthly ‘Tight 45’ connection, which may include: Sillion communications review; peer group and market signals; investor or stakeholder sentiment signals; emerging risks or opportunities to watch.
Ad-hoc review and advice on materials, positioning, or messaging (advisory only).
Written outputs are deliberately light and concise - typically short notes, emails, or annotated feedback.
Who it’s for
CEOs, ExCo members, and Boards with transition exposure and high stakeholder scrutiny.
Leaders preparing for major announcements, contested projects, or periods of elevated public attention.
Teams with strong in-house communications capability but limited access to senior external judgement.
How it works
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You retain advisory capacity each month. Engagement is responsive and flexible, shaped around live decisions.
Client count is strictly capped to preserve responsiveness and quality.
Interaction happens through short working conversations, not standing status updates. You speak to us when you need to, and we respond directly.
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Anchored access: One regular monthly working session (60-90 mins), plus flexible access in between as issues arise.
Floating access: No fixed meeting. Advisory input used when needed, within an agreed monthly level.
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We periodically reassess engagement levels to ensure retainers are set at the right level for the value required.
What it does not include
We do not undertake execution, production, or campaign delivery as part of the retainer.
We do not operate as an outsourced communications function.
We will not be a substitute for an in-house team or agency, although we can help you assess your existing comms function or agency.
If you require execution support, we can scope this separately or work with your internal team and existing agency partners.
Commercials
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Typically £5,000 per month.
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A minimum initial term typically lasts 6 months.
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Final scope and fee are confirmed after an initial conversation, based on the level of access and responsiveness required.
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TBC
Explore our other services
Strategic Narrative & Positioning Project
A focused project to clarify, reset, or strengthen organisational narrative and positioning in the context of commercial reality, sustainability ambition, and market expectations.
Comms Function & Agency Diagnostic
An independent, senior assessment designed to surface structural issues rather than tactical noise - so leaders can make confident decisions on people, structure, agencies, and expectations.
Private Market Transactions
Investor-grade positioning for private PE exits – making your portfolio company look and sound like the investment case, and drive interest under diligence scrutiny.
Get in touch
Please get in touch if you would like to know more about our offering.
We will be happy to discuss your context and whether our advisory approach is right for you.