Narrative Shapers, a communications consultancy based in the Gulf, has entered into a partnership with the PR Academy, the UK’s largest public relations training provider, to develop and deliver specialised communications and marketing training programmes across the region.
Under the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate on creating tailored workshops and courses covering a wide range of disciplines, including strategic communications, internal communications, crisis management, change management, digital engagement, sustainability, and artificial intelligence. The training sessions will be offered in one- and two-day formats and can be conducted either within the Gulf region or in the United Kingdom.
The initiative is designed to strengthen the capabilities of in-house marketing and communications professionals as Gulf nations continue to pursue ambitious economic transformation agendas. With programmes such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s We the UAE 2031 driving the emergence of new industries and opportunities, the partnership aims to equip professionals with both theoretical knowledge and practical frameworks to elevate communication standards across organisations and sectors.
“Having worked in the Gulf for over two decades in the fields of communications and marketing, I know how much I would have benefited from these training courses,” said Alex Malouf, Founder and Managing Partner, Narrative Shapers. “For the first time, in-house teams and executives will be able to benefit from the best possible learning delivered in the Gulf. Best practices, including local examples, will be anchored in theory, and attendees will be engaged in learning that is both engaging and informative as we help them to better tell the region’s stories both at home and abroad.”
Established in 2007 by Ann Pilkington and Kevin Ruck, the PR Academy has trained thousands of communications professionals globally. The organisation is recognised for pioneering flexible learning models and fostering professional development through innovative online learning communities.
“The Gulf region is one of the most exciting public relations markets today, and what stands out is the ambition to tell the region’s story on a global scale. What we are here to do is to provide Gulf-based professionals with the means and the tools to be able to best tell their stories through face-to-face training in partnership with Narrative Shapers,” said PR Academy Director Ann Pilkington.
Through this collaboration, both organisations aim to help communications and marketing professionals across the Gulf build stronger strategic capabilities while supporting the region’s growing influence on the global stage.
