The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents most of the world’s merchant fleet, has appointed Tom Bartošák-Harlow as its new director of communications and public affairs, heading up a five-strong team. He started last week and has replaced Stuart Neil, who has retired.
Bartošák-Harlow reports to ICS secretary general Thomas A. Kazakos and is responsible for positioning the global trade association as the authoritative voice of the shipping industry.
He describes himself on LinkedIn as “an experienced communications and public affairs professional” with a “strong track record of delivering transformational change”.
Bartošák-Harlow took a career break last year to travel the world with his wife, and prior to that was director of communications at the UK Chamber of Shipping.
His other previous roles include head of external relations at the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, and interim director of external affairs at the Country Land and Business Association. Earlier in his career he was a parliamentary assistant to Conservative MP David Lidington.
Bartošák-Harlow told In.Comms: “I’m delighted to be joining ICS at such an important time for global shipping. My priorities are to continue strengthening ICS’s role as the voice of shipping, to build on the outstanding work already being delivered by the communications team and the wider secretariat, and to engage proactively with media and our partners across the world to ensure the industry’s perspective is clearly understood.”
He added: “Having worked in the shipping and maritime industry for several years, this move felt like a natural next step. I’m really looking forward to working for an internationally known and highly prestigious organisation like ICS, and to helping showcase the vital role shipping plays in the global economy.”