William Gaillard is a senior strategic advisor at Portland, bringing deep experience at the intersection of sport governance, civil aviation, international affairs and strategic communications.
He is best known for his long tenure as Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), where he is also served as Senior Adviser to the President, shaping communications, stakeholder engagement and strategic positioning across Europe’s largest sports association. In this role, he led UEFA’s external affairs, media relations and institutional outreach and played part in advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives within the global game.
Before entering the world of football, William held senior communications and political affairs positions in global institutions, among them Director of Corporate Communications at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and senior media and external relations roles at the European Commission, UNRWA and the United Nations International Drug Control Programme, an experience that underpins his expertise in complex regulatory, geopolitical and reputation management contexts.
At Portland, William advises clients on high-stakes strategic communications, international engagement and the geopolitical dimensions of major global sectors, drawing on decades of involvement in sports, aviation and multilateral political environments.