Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Accomplishments
Interests
References
Timeline
ProjectManager
Jonathan Michael CLAYTON

Jonathan Michael CLAYTON

Strategic Communications Adviser
Chambourcy,Yvelines

Summary

Strategic Communications Adviser | Former International Correspondent

Jonathan Clayton is a senior strategic communications adviser and former international foreign correspondent with over 40 years’ experience in global political, economic and multilateral reporting. He has advised senior corporate leaders, policymakers and international institutions on media engagement, crisis communications and advocacy messaging in complex, high-exposure environments.

He specialises in preparing leaders for high-stakes interviews, regulatory scrutiny and multilateral policy forums — combining deep newsroom insight with structured executive coaching. His work focuses on clarity of message, narrative discipline and reputational resilience across traditional and digital media platforms.

Jonathan has delivered media and communications training to corporate executives, development banks, international organisations and government departments across Europe and Africa.

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience

Work history

Independent Strategic Communications Advisor

Self-employed
Chambourcy, Yvelines
2020.11 - 2026.01

• Deliver executive media and crisis training for senior corporate leaders, multilateral officials and NGO executives.
• Advise private sector companies, development institutions and UN agencies on strategic communications and advocacy positioning.
• Design and lead structured media simulation workshops including live interview scenarios, hostile questioning drills and message refinement.
• Provide communications advisory support to the African Development Bank and other international institutions.

Regional Editor, Europe & Head of Special Projects

UNHCR
Geneva, Swtizerland
2015.09 - 2020.12

• Led editorial strategy and high-level communications initiatives across Europe.
• Advised senior UN officials on public messaging in politically sensitive refugee and migration debates.
• Managed complex media environments across multiple jurisdictions.

Africa Correspondent

The Times of London
Johannesburg
2002.01 - 2014.12
  • Africa correspondent, The Times of London
  • Reported on political, economic and security developments across the continent
  • Conducted high-level interviews with heads of state, ministers and corporate leaders
  • Developed expertise in explaining complex geopolitical and economic issues to broad audiences.

NATO and Europe Diplomatic Correspondent

Reuters News Service
Brussels, Belgium
1995.01 - 2009.01
  • Conducted interviews professionally, eliciting valuable insights from subjects.
  • Facilitated better understanding of complex issues amongst viewers through clear, concise reporting.
  • Stayed abreast of current affairs for delivering informed commentary during broadcasts.

Editor-in-Chief & Founder – IRIN

UN-OCHA
Nairobi, Kenya
1997.01 - 2001.01

• Founded and led a globally recognised humanitarian news service.
• Oversaw editorial standards, policy reporting and stakeholder communications.

Reuters Bureau Chief, East Africa

Reuters News Service
Nairobi, Kenya
1989.09 - 1995.12

• Reported on the US intervention in Somalia (Black Hawk Down)
• 1994 Rwandan genocide
• ‘Blood Diamond’ wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia,
• Balkan civil wars
• Nelson Mandela’s liberation in post-apartheid South Africa
• figured in several fiction and non-fiction books, feature films and documentaries concerning those events

Education

B.Sc Econ (Hon) Degree - International History

London School of Economics, LSE

- NCTJ proficiency certificate - undefined

Harlow Technical College
1980

Accomplishments

  • Friends of Europe Development Policy Forum Background Report, "How Reporters see the Aid World” by Jonthan Clayton
  • UNEP: The first 40 years by Stanley P Johnson (Editor: J Clayton).
  • Various journalism awards
  • Reuters best feature writer award
  • Times nomination for best correspondent of the year in British press awards

Interests

Squash, tennis, hiking, travel

References

H.E. Manoah Esipisu

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Court of St James

Kenya High Commission

London

Hc@kenyahighcom.org.uk

+447384819444

Andrew Marshall

Senior Vice President, Atlantic Council

1030 15th St NW

Washington DC, 20005

+1 202 873 0350

Amarshall@atlanticcouncil.org

Geert Linnebank

Former Editor-in-Chief

Reuters News Agency

e-mail: geert.linnebank@gmail.com

Mike Smith

Foreign editor,

The Times of London

Mike.smith@thetimes.co.uk

+447973220390

Timeline

Independent Strategic Communications Advisor

Self-employed
2020.11 - 2026.01

Regional Editor, Europe & Head of Special Projects

UNHCR
2015.09 - 2020.12

Africa Correspondent

The Times of London
2002.01 - 2014.12

Editor-in-Chief & Founder – IRIN

UN-OCHA
1997.01 - 2001.01

NATO and Europe Diplomatic Correspondent

Reuters News Service
1995.01 - 2009.01

Reuters Bureau Chief, East Africa

Reuters News Service
1989.09 - 1995.12

B.Sc Econ (Hon) Degree - International History

London School of Economics, LSE

- NCTJ proficiency certificate - undefined

Harlow Technical College
Jonathan Michael CLAYTONStrategic Communications Adviser