Nic Labuschagne is a senior director of strategy at APCO Worldwide and is based in Dubai. He is a communications strategist with over 30 years’ experience in helping governments and organisations in emerging markets (Middle East and Africa), to successfully and sustainably manage reputational risk. At APCO, Mr. Labuschagne provides communications strategy, issue, crisis and change management advice, and communication capacity building to corporate and government clients.

Prior to joining APCO, Mr. Labuschagne was a senior advisor to the Office of Government Communications of the Abu Dhabi Government. Before that he was seconded to Brand Dubai in 2006 to manage a series of politically sensitive issues that were negatively impacting the reputation of Dubai. Mr. Labuschagne began his career as a chemical engineer in 1984, progressing to work as a financial and commodity risk management specialist in the City of London before transitioning into corporate strategy and specializing in strategic communications.

Mr. Labuschagne holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Arts in East Asian studies, a Master of Letters in Terrorism Studies and a Master of Science in Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Studies. His area of expertise lies at the nexus of climate change, sustainability and national security.