Going for Gold

Andrew Neilson has over 20 years of experience in PR, enhancing the reputation of individuals, products, and institutions. His career includes six years as a Non-Executive Director at Capital Theatres. His first PR role was at the Edinburgh Fringe looking after PR for Assembly. He then worked with the National Theatre of Scotland, managing PR for productions like Black Watch and pioneering the world’s first Social Media call. At the BBC corporate press office in London, he navigated high-profile issues, including the Savile scandal. Later, at BBC Scotland, he publicised programs for the Commonwealth Games and Scottish Independence Referendum, defending the BBC’s impartiality and winning an award for the Best BBC Communications Report.

Since joining NatWest in 2016, he has created iconic campaigns, from giant frozen credit cards at Edinburgh Zoo to savings tips with goalkeeper Emily Ramsey. He won the Chartered Banker Institute Young Banker of the Year Award for a proposal to help combat fraud. He is also chair of the Chartered Banker Institute’s Scotland Member Network and a member of BAFTA Scotland

• Started competing at the age of 6
• World Champion in 2006 and 2010
• Numerous World and European titles between 2006-2010
• BGT Winner 2010
• Went on to perform professionally all over the world up until 2021 (Covid!)
• Decided to hang up the Lycra and found myself in sales, realising there are many transferable skills.
• Now an Account Manager at Lending Crowd