Alex Aiken
Biography
Alex Aiken is an Executive Director for Government Communication. He was appointed in December 2012 and was responsible for creating the Government Communication Service (GCS) and developing cross-government campaigns.
He served as GCS Head of Profession, responsible for government communication strategy, managing the combined Prime Minister’s Office and Cabinet Office communications team until 2021.
Between 2000 and 2012 he was Director of Communications and Strategy for Westminster City Council, leading the policy, member services and communications teams. He was part of the group that oversaw the implementation of the Tri-Borough Shared Services programme and established the Westco communications consultancy which works for public and private sector clients around the UK.
He has been National Secretary of LGcommunications and Vice Chairman of the Public Relations Consultants Association Council. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA).
Before joining Westminster he worked in Parliament and for Conservative Central Office, leading the party’s Campaigns Unit and the Press Office. He has trained and advised politicians and officials in countries and states around the world in the practice of government and communications.
Alex was educated at the London School of Economics and Dame Alice Owen’s School.
He lives in Pimlico, London with his family. In his spare time, he is Chairman of an amateur football club, Westminster Wanderers FC and is Secretary of St Peter’s Cricket Club. He is also a trustee of the RUSA charity.
Executive Director, Government Communications
This role is part of the senior leadership team for the Government Communication Service (GCS), Civil Service and Cabinet Office. It has specific responsibility for developing communication capability and campaigns in international, national security and the nations and regions.
These areas of responsibility include the delivery of an effective national security communication capability as envisaged in the Integrated Review; a coherent approach to international campaigns and their domestic portrayal in terms of ‘Global Britain’; and the delivery of an effective campaign strategy for the Union.
The role supports the Chief Executive in leading and managing the GCS including advising on the development of the service, undertaking professional development activities for the profession, training, speaking and advising at events and writing on matters of communication practice domestically and overseas. Advising ministers and senior officials on communication strategy and practice.
Additional responsibilities include:
- leadership of cross government work on national security
- management of the Cabinet Office Communication Team
- convening cross government work on international issues.
- coordination of cross government work on nations and regions
- membership of the GREAT campaign Board