Portland has appointed former UEFA Director of Communications and Public Affairs, William Gaillard, as a Senior Advisor.
William Gaillard was Senior Advisor to the President of UEFA, Michel Platini, from 2009 to 2015, having previously acted as Director of Communications and Public Affairs from 2003. During his tenure, he oversaw all external communications and media activities and managed a variety of political issues. At UEFA, William headed social responsibility initiatives and efforts towards the eradication of racism and all discriminations in football.
William Gaillard brings over 20 years of experience in the sports sector across Europe, The Middle East and the United States. He joins Portland from Burson Cohn and Wolfe Brussels where he advised clients on all aspects of sports strategic communications. He was also Senior Advisor to the President of The International Centre for Sport Security until 2016.
Portland chief executive Mark Flanagan said: “We’re thrilled to have William on board. With his decades of experience advising the biggest sports and international organisations, William will no doubt strengthen our sports communications capabilities across the world.
“William’s arrival will make a significant contribution to Portland growing international sports practice and help to develop it in new ways.”
William is also currently on the Executive Board of FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) and the Advisory Board of Supporters Direct Europe.
William commented “A new endeavour in a career is always an exciting challenge. Being a Senior Advisor at Portland is doubly so: a new dynamic international environment and an outstanding group of communications professionals with whom to work.”
He started his career as a university professor in the United States and went on to occupy a number of top management positions in public affairs, external relations and communications at the European Commission, the United Nations and the International Air Transport Association where he founded and led on crisis communications.