Simon Woods manages Hawthorn’s investor relations and financial communications function across a number of sectors, including energy and industrials, agriculture, technology, retail and financial services.

Simon has vast experience advising companies through a range of financial events and special situations, including navigating the financial calendar, handling M&As, IPOs, secondary fundraises, and responding to litigation cases and crises. Given his significant exposure to carbon-intensive industries, he has taken a great interest in helping businesses define their sustainability values and develop reporting programmes that aim to position his clients as ESG leaders in their fields.

Over the course of his career, Simon has advised over 70 companies globally across the London market as well as international markets such as the Oslo Børs, New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. These companies span blue chip corporations to smaller growth businesses.

Simon has trained with the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments, taking on the Level 3 Corporate Finance Certificate.

Outside of work, Simon dedicates much of his time to his local rugby club, where he acts as Honorary Secretary and plays a key role in the Club’s 1XV team.

Sarah Clarbour is a communications specialist advising corporates across various sectors on their communications strategies, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and media profile. Sarah advises Hawthorn’s clients, across a number of specialisms from technology to environmental and social impact, both in the UK and internationally.

Before joining Hawthorn, Sarah spent five years in Edelman’s London Technology team. In this role, she managed a portfolio of global and emerging accounts, working with a wide array of consumer and enterprise technology clients. Her responsibilities included shaping consumer stories, overseeing strategic executive communications, and enhancing investor awareness. Sarah played a key role in developing media strategies and cultivating thought leadership among senior stakeholders. She also designed integrated campaigns aligned with business and communications goals.

Sarah studied Economics and Social Studies at The University of Manchester, with a focus on International Development and Social Anthropology. After graduating, she worked as a Community Liaison Officer for an NGO in Malawi.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys cooking and travelling. When given the opportunity she is a keen scuba diver.

Joe Tetlow is a Senior Consultant who joined Hawthorn in May 2023, with over half a decade of experience in politics and sustainability.

Joe works with a variety of businesses to shape media strategies, improve political engagement, and maximise profile raising with target audiences.

Joe is well networked in Westminster and previously advised Green Alliance think tank on their advocacy strategy and government engagement, helping to maintain environmental ambition as a communications and policy priority in Westminster. Joe also led the secretariat of the Environment All-Party Parliamentary Group, now the largest in Parliament, working with Anthony Browne MP and Chris Skidmore MP to increase its business and parliamentary membership, media profile, and campaigning impact. Before that, he worked in Parliament for the Chair of the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Committee and for environment minister – Rebecca Pow MP.

Joe read history and politics at Newcastle University, before studying law. He was called to the Bar at Inner Temple in 2021.

Outside of work, Joe plays football for AFC Bluebirds, cricket for the V&A, and remains an associate at Green Alliance.

James Raftery is a Senior Consultant in Hawthorn’s International strategic communications team.

James advises corporate and individual clients on geopolitical strategic communications challenges, working with clients based in the Middle East, Europe, North America and further afield.

Before joining Hawthorn James worked as a freelance political analyst and researcher, advising the foreign ministry of a high-profile Middle Eastern government. James holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford, and an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from King’s College London, where his research focussed on political Islam and the political role of clerics in Saudi Arabia.

In his free time James enjoys cycling, cooking, reading and supporting Portsmouth FC.

James Cowling is a Senior Consultant in the Political Advisory team.

He’s worked with several blue-chip companies to deliver political engagement campaigns, with a focus on financial services and tech sectors.

Before working in advocacy, James worked as a Parliamentary Researcher to a Secretary of State and former Pensions Minister Guy Opperman. He graduated from the University of Newcastle with an BSc Hons in Pharmacology, and an MSc in Management at Durham University.

James is the founder of Next Gen Tories, a Conservative campaign group calling for the party to tackle the policy priorities of the under 45s and is on the Conservative candidates list. He runs a community chess club in Greenwich in his spare time.

Hamza Farooq, Senior Consultant specialising in financial services corporate communications.

Hamza looks after a range of clients spanning alternative investment managers, life insurance companies, real-estate investment managers and venture capital firms.

Prior to joining Hawthorn, Hamza worked in the global corporate communications team at EY for their Strategy and Transactions service line.

Outside of work, Hamza is an avid reader of history.

Emma Stanworth is a Senior Consultant at Hawthorn, with 6+ years’ experience working in journalism, PR and communications.

Emma provides strategic communications counsel to a range of clients facing complex reputational challenges, with expertise in media relations, corporate profile raising, issues management and creative campaigns that support key business objectives.

Emma has worked across sectors including healthcare, creative industries, technology and telecommunications, elevating brands including Roche, Network Rail, Nuffield Health and Oxford University Press whilst at Lexington. Prior to this, she worked in journalism at The Daily Mail.

She holds an MA in Theology from Oxford University.

Outside of work, Emma helps to run a foodbank in East London, distributing food to over 150 local families a week, and managing the charity’s external communications.

Dan Thomas is a Senior Consultant at Hawthorn, focused on advising financial services, energy and technology companies.

Dan has experience in advising leading institutions on corporate and financial communications, major transactions and issues management. He currently works with a range of global and pan-European alternative investment managers across asset classes, including private equity and real estate debt.

Dan graduated from the London School of Economics with a degree in History.

Outside of work, he enjoys travelling and following Arsenal F.C.