David Whitely is a Managing Director in the Strategic Communications segment based in Melbourne. David has more than 25 years of global experience in journalism and corporate, media and public relations in Europe, North America and Australia, primarily in the aviation, government and financial services sectors. David leads FTI Consulting’s crisis and cybersecurity work in Australia.
David began his career as a journalist in Western Australia before moving to London and into media relations and corporate communications roles with the UK Consumers’ Association, HSBC and the UK’s financial services regulator at the height of the global financial crisis.
In 2009, David joined the Western Australian Department of Premier and Cabinet, acting as senior adviser in the Premier’s office and playing a central role in the 2013 state election.
David returned to the UK as head of communications at London Gatwick Airport, and his team was named best press office by UK transport journalists in 2016. In 2018, David joined Airports Council International (“ACI”) World in Montreal as vice president for marketing and communications, leading the global support for – and advocacy on behalf of – the world’s airports with the United Nations, the WHO, WEF and other global organisations as aviation was brought to a standstill by the COVID-19 pandemic.
David brings this experience to his work with clients on strategic communications matters, including crisis and reputation management, cybersercurity, corporate communications, ESG and media, government and regulatory engagement.