Jonathan Hemus
Managing Director

Jonathan is the founder of Insignia, an acknowledged leader in crisis management and the author of an award winning book, Crisis Proof. He works with business leaders around the world to ensure they have the capability and confidence to do and say the right things under intense pressure. 

He has experience in sectors as diverse as infrastructure, energy, financial services, media, mining, retail and sport. At Insignia, he has led programmes for major clients around the world including ABB Group, DP World and Royal London. 

Jonathan’s client facing role focuses on working with leaders of businesses whether as exercise director for ExCo and board simulations, C-suite counsel during a crisis or one to one coaching and training for crisis team leaders. He provides expert guidance based on his long experience in crisis management and his ability to win the trust, respect and confidence of senior leaders.

Prior to founding Insignia in 2008, Jonathan was global crisis and issue management practice leader at international consultancy Porter Novelli.

Jonathan is the author of Amazon best selling book, Crisis Proof – How To Prepare For The Worst Day Of Your Business Life, which was named as Specialist Business Book of the Year in the 2021 Business Book Awards. He is chair of Aston University’s Crisis Centre where he lectures as a member of the faculty for its MSc in Crisis and Disaster Management.  He was named Director of the Year at the 2020 Institute of Director Awards for his work in supporting small businesses during the pandemic.

He is a regular speaker at conferences around the world and a media commentator on breaking crises for outlets including the BBC, CNN, Management Today, the Sunday Times and the Wall Street Journal.

One of his most memorable assignments was working with Team England during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham: “As a proud Brummie and a sports fan, it was a huge privilege and buzz to be appointed by Team England to develop its crisis communication plan and support and advise them throughout the Games”.

Outside of work, he enjoys a summer’s day at the cricket, following his beloved Aston Villa and, as an antidote to stress caused by the latter, a brisk walk through Sutton Park.

"From early in my career I was fascinated by the intersection of people, business and communication and this led me to a career in crisis management. I became increasingly frustrated at seeing good businesses harm not only themselves, but also their stakeholders through an ill-judged crisis response. This motivated me to found Insignia with a mission to end the needless harm caused by a mishandled crisis. It remains my passion".