David Hands / Senior Account Director

Prior to joining Apollo, David held several senior communications posts in government. Most recently he was Head of Communications at the Department of Health and Social Services at the Welsh Government, responsible for overseeing media relations, digital communications and marketing campaigns. He led communications on a number of high profile and complex issues, including introduction of the legislation for the UK’s first opt-out system for organ donation, and delivered the communications strategy which enabled Wales to become the first UK country to announce a ban on smoking in cars carrying children. He also led on the roll-out of a new corporate identity for the NHS in Wales following its reorganisation.

David has worked as Chief Press Officer at the Department of Health in London, heading up one of Whitehall’s busiest press desks and handling stories leading the news on a daily basis on issues including NHS reform and major public health challenges such as plans to tackle obesity. He has also worked at the Department of Trade and Industry, where his role including developing media relations strategies on promoting key Government policies including the minimum wage, helping it become one of the most widely recognised employment rights.

Before embarking on his Government career, David was Deputy Head of Press and Parliamentary Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses, where he led media relations and lobbying on a range of issues on behalf of the business sector, including taxation policy, economic and employment issues and the impact of crime on business. He regularly appeared as a spokesperson on business issues on flagship news programmes such as Today and Radio 5 Live.

David has advised Ministers and executives at the highest levels on strategic communications, has wide-ranging experience in developing creative strategies to secure high-profile coverage, and has experience in crisis management gained during his time working in the health sector in particular.