<![CDATA[The current Director of Corporate Affairs for the
Royal Bank of Scotland, Jason Knauf, is to become the new
Communications Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and
Prince Harry in the New Year.
Mr Knauf has had a varied career within Media Communications
including positions at HM Treasury and multiple offices for the
Government of New Zealand.
Knauf joined the New Zealand Government in November 2004 as a Media
Assistant within the Office of the Minister for Social Development,
advising the Hon. Steve Maharey.
A year later, he became a Press Secretary in the Office of the
Minister for Health and was then brought in as a Communications
Advisor to the-then New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark in
December 2006.
After a year as a Press Secretary and Speechwriter for New
Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Knauf moved to London where he
became a Senior Press Officer and Head of the Financial Services
Desk at Her Majesty's Treasury.
Mr Knauf joined the Royal Bank of Scotland group in April 2010 as
the Head of Group Media Relations.
His crisis management skills were put to the test in 2012 when
it emerged that the-then Chief Executive, Stephen Hester, had been
offered a bonus payment of £963,000. After significant
pressure by politicians and the public, Hester turned down the
bonus.
Knauf became Head of Media, Brand and Digital Communications in
July 2013 and was appointed as Director of Corporate Affairs
for RBS in May this year, with responsibility for "embedding
the bank’s new customer-focused strategy across its external
communications."
He will take up his new role as Communications Secretary to Their
Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry
in the New Year.
His appointment came as the Cambridges' and Prince Harry's former
Communications Secretary, Dr Ed Perkins, left for a change of
career at the end of October.
Perkins, who was the gentleman who handed over the announcement
notice of Prince George's birth to be taken to Buckingham Palace,
has worked at Kensington Palace since December 2012. Prior to his
appointment, he was the Deputy Press Secretary to The Queen; a
position he held for five years, hailing originally from ITN
where he was a Senior Editor.
A young team is at the helm of Kensington Palace operations, with
William, Catherine and Harry having a penchant for appointing
those within their 30s. Perkins's deputy, Nick Loughran, had
been seen as a favourite for the top position.
Mr Knauf will join the Royal Household at a busy time, particularly
for The Duke and Duchess as they prepare for their second child,
which is due in April 2015. His arrival will bring the Kensington
Palace press office back up to four members, including himself,
Deputy Communications Secretary Nick Loughran, one Communications
Officer and a Press Office PA who make up the Cambridges' press
team.
Featured Image Credit: UGArdener via photopin cc]]>
