Belfast-based communications firm Belmont Strategy has strengthened its PR offering with the appointment of Fionnuala O’Connell to its senior team.

O’Connell joins the consultancy from NI Water, where she was most recently External Communications Manager. As well as having extensive experience in infrastructure communications, she previously worked at the Ulster Farmers’ Union and spent almost 15 years in journalism as a broadcast journalist and producer at leading outlets including BBC NI and UTV.

As a Senior Communications Consultant, Fionnuala will work closely with Belmont Strategy clients on their project-specific and broader corporate PR requirements. It means the firm, which specialises in the planning, energy and infrastructure sectors, now boasts senior expertise in PR alongside its offerings across public affairs, stakeholder engagement and community consultation.

O’Connell is Belmont Strategy’s second senior appointment this year, with energy industry executive Robin McCormick having been announced as a Strategic Adviser in January 2022. Established in April 2020, the company works with leading clients including ABO Wind, Heron Energy, Kainos, Mayfair Group, Evermore Group and Arena Capital Partners.

Daniel McLaughlin, Belmont Strategy founder and Director welcomed the new appointment, saying:

“With so much experience in journalism and specialist infrastructure communications, Fionnuala is the perfect fit for our clients, and we are delighted to welcome her to Belmont Strategy.

“Fionnuala’s appointment, alongside other recent announcements, gives us a unique balance when it comes to the services and level of specialist expertise we offer our clients.

“Whether it be providing strategic communications support for planning and development proposals, wider policy initiatives or managing corporate PR, our team is built on extensive sector-specific experience.”

Fionnuala O’Connell added:

“I’m really looking forward to using my skills to work with and benefit the superb clients of Belmont Strategy. I’ve developed a keen interest and understanding of the renewables sector and launched several highly successful climate change related initiatives while working with the private and public sector. Building the profile of our clients will be my main aim as they have such great stories to tell.”