Simon Donohue

Associate Director

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-donohue-7064a22a/

simon.donohue@secnewgate.co.uk

Head of SEC Newgate’s Northern office in Manchester, Simon is a strategic communications professional and former journalist with extensive experience across the public and private sectors.

He joined SEC Newgate from Transport for Greater Manchester, where he supported the rollout of the transformational Bee Network – GM’s vision for an integrated ‘London-style’ transport network - and led communications for the revised Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan.

In a first for a Destination Management Organisation, Simon served as Content Curator on behalf of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (now GM Business Board) at Marketing Manchester, part of the Growth Company. The role supported the city-region in increasing awareness of its sector strengths nationally and internationally, helping to attract inward investment, visitors and students.

Simon was previously part of the senior management team at the independent Manchester-based PR consultancy Intelligent Conversation, with clients including United Utilities, EMIS Group, Pharmacy2U and Manchester Metropolitan University.

An NCTJ-qualified journalist and editor, Simon worked at the Manchester Evening News for 15 years, with stints on the business and features desks. He edited the MEN’s award-winning standalone business magazine, Greater Manchester Business Week.

As a freelance journalist, Simon was a correspondent for titles including Place North-West, Property Week, Estates Gazette and the Big Issue North.

Away from work, Simon is a keen amateur photographer and lover of live music, including his own attempts to become a passable guitarist after too many years of trying.

Simon’s specialisms

We are a truly integrated team and strive to bring the perfect mix of talent and insight to every project. Below are some of the sectors and services I specialise in.

Planning Comms, Stakeholder Engagement & Community Relations

Our stakeholder and community engagement experts can help you identify and understand your...

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Planning Communications and Consultation

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Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Placemaking & Regeneration

We work across some of the most significant regeneration schemes in the UK and Europe...

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Residential

Our team has extensive experience in delivering locally and globally relevant campaigns...

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Energy, Transport & Infrastructure

Simon’s insights

SEC Newgate publishes a twice-weekly e-newsletter, as well as other regular sector-focused news and views. Below you will find the latest articles written by me or insights relating to my sector specialist areas.

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News

Recent work

We always strive to bring the perfect mix of experience and talent to every project. Whatever the discipline, for us it’s all about delivering positive change for our clients.

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Simon’s specialisms

Planning Comms, Stakeholder Engagement & Community Relations

Planning Communications and Consultation

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Placemaking & Regeneration

Residential

Energy, Transport & Infrastructure

Simon’s insights

Diverting public transport investment to the north can close the economic gap

Why a shifting sense of community in Salford shows the importance of listening to local people

Greater Manchester aims for 75,000 new homes this parliament

All eyes on Greater Manchester as the Bee Network begins to prove the case for local control of public transport

Recent work