Bablake Winners - (5) Living The Public Relations Dream

At time of writing, this year's excellent Test series between the England and Pakistan cricket teams is delightfully and delicately poised on the pitch.

In the media coverage, much has been made of the Pakistani 'press up' celebrations, though few may have connected today's Bablake winner, former pupil and PR consultant Jonathan Collett with this coverage. He has been travelling with the team throughout the tour, advising the players and management. For Jonathan, the real victory of the summer has been how openly the media and general public have welcomed the Pakistani tourists after previous tours have been soured by various controversies.

In conversation with our Careers department, Jonathan explained further about his role: "Obviously previous tours have been very challenging for Pakistan, so they wanted English strategic help and expertise. The theme for this tour has been winning cricket matches and making friends and that has gone very well.

The celebratory 'press ups' are a thank you to the Pakistan army that trained the team before the tour. The old adage of a picture telling a thousand words applies here, as it shows the team has a sense of unity and fun. The reception so far has been very good too."

Cricket has always been a key part of Jonathan's life. As a former Warwickshire CCC junior and Coventry Schools captain, to be back at Edgbaston this week has made his current job seem even more like he is living the dream! He was a notable spin bowler in his time at Bablake, as a member of the Class of 1983, who took two hat-tricks for the school, and he proudly recalls receiving a cricket ball for these feats from Vice Principal Martin Barker in our full assembly.  

Jonathan's link with Pakistani cricket is further enhanced by the fact he previously played on an English XI tour of Lahore and Karachi, and was due to manage public relations for an international test side tour to Pakistan, which was unfortunately called off for security reasons.

Formerly Press Secretary to Michael Howard whilst Leader of the Conservative Party, Jonathan is a Chartered PR Practitioner, who has been recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts; he has previously directed external communications for the Press Complaints Commission and the Advertising Association, and led and managed public affairs at News International.

To discover more about Jonathan's own PR company, please click here.

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(Photograph of Jonathan in the Press Box at Lord's submitted.)