Nexus:
Targeted, high-level connectivity
︎ London
Nexus specialises in making connections and building networks that achieve transformational shifts for our clients.
We focus on U.K. and U.S. government relations, international diplomacy, defence technology, fundraising, and high-level problem solving.
Our foundations are strong personal bonds across an extensive and influential global network; our clients are government entities, multi-national companies and, in some cases, individuals.
Whether by influencing policy, making front page news, guiding opinion or introducing suitable investors, we bring about the fundamental changes our clients seek.
We focus on U.K. and U.S. government relations, international diplomacy, defence technology, fundraising, and high-level problem solving.
Our foundations are strong personal bonds across an extensive and influential global network; our clients are government entities, multi-national companies and, in some cases, individuals.
Whether by influencing policy, making front page news, guiding opinion or introducing suitable investors, we bring about the fundamental changes our clients seek.
"James Cecil at Nexus has been critical to the growth and success of our company and its future prospects."
John Finney, Founder and CEO, All.Space
John Finney, Founder and CEO, All.Space
Nexus specialises in forging strategic connections in Washington, D.C.
︎ Washington D.C.
Nexus has close and trusted relationships across the United States government.
We are integrated into Washington’s architecture; we have a deep understanding of how things work, who to talk to, and what needs to be said. We take the most direct route to solving problems, leveraging longstanding personal relationships to advocate on our clients’ behalf.
Nexus has developed a wide-ranging coalition that extends across Congress, the White House and the Executive Branch, the Department of Defence, politicians from both major parties, federal, state, and local government, federal agencies, editorial boards, and the commercial space.
In the United States, we quickly deliver impact and secure influence.
Nexus Gunster Strategies Partnership
www.prnewswire.com
We are integrated into Washington’s architecture; we have a deep understanding of how things work, who to talk to, and what needs to be said. We take the most direct route to solving problems, leveraging longstanding personal relationships to advocate on our clients’ behalf.
Nexus has developed a wide-ranging coalition that extends across Congress, the White House and the Executive Branch, the Department of Defence, politicians from both major parties, federal, state, and local government, federal agencies, editorial boards, and the commercial space.
In the United States, we quickly deliver impact and secure influence.
"James is an extremely well connected and trusted friend who operates at the highest levels in both London and Washington. In either city he is the man who can get things done."
FORMER CONGRESSMAN GEORGE HOLDING
FORMER CONGRESSMAN GEORGE HOLDING
Nexus Gunster Strategies Partnership
www.prnewswire.com
Nexus worldwide
︎ Rest of the world
Nexus has established a network of trusted government and commercial contacts across the globe.
We are experienced in matching clients with local partners who can advance their goals in a range of countries.
This extends from the developed world and the Commonwealth to some of the most challenging operational environments.
We are experienced in matching clients with local partners who can advance their goals in a range of countries.
This extends from the developed world and the Commonwealth to some of the most challenging operational environments.
"James at Nexus has developed a remarkable, wide, and deep network of connections. He has introduced and helped us build trusted partnerships in a range of frontier markets around the globe. James has identified and brought opportunities allowing us to develop commodity merchandising businesses we would have missed. James has unique skills, maintaining integrity, creating win-win results in very difficult markets. It is a great pleasure to recommend his services."
NORMAN HAY, FORMER CHAIRMAN AND CEO, CARGILL INTERNATIONAL S.A.
NORMAN HAY, FORMER CHAIRMAN AND CEO, CARGILL INTERNATIONAL S.A.
Who we are
James Cecil
Nexus was founded by James Cecil in 2017, after a career spanning military service, politics, and business.
James is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and he served as an infantry officer in the U.K. Armed Forces for six years before leaving with the rank of Captain.
He has worked in a range of capacities for the Conservative Party and was elected to London borough government in 2006. He maintains strong links with the Party, both through historical family ties and ongoing personal connections.
James has a proven track record working both in the U.K. and internationally on government and commercial projects across a variety of sectors and industries.
James is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and he served as an infantry officer in the U.K. Armed Forces for six years before leaving with the rank of Captain.
He has worked in a range of capacities for the Conservative Party and was elected to London borough government in 2006. He maintains strong links with the Party, both through historical family ties and ongoing personal connections.
James has a proven track record working both in the U.K. and internationally on government and commercial projects across a variety of sectors and industries.
What we do
Nexus’ areas of specialism include:
- Bespoke strategic connections (government and commerce)
- U.K. and U.S. government relations
- Issues management
- Press and the media
- Election research, strategy, and implementation
- Security and investigations
- Public relations
- Litigation support
Our core geographic areas of influence are:
- London, U.K.
- Washington, D.C., U.S.A
- The Commonwealth
- The Middle East and North Africa
- Africa
- Latin America
Advisory board
The Rt Hon Lord Swire KCMG
(Chairman)
Hugo was the Conservative Member of Parliament for East Devon from June 2001 to December 2019.
He served as the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under David Cameron; he was appointed Minister of State for Northern Ireland, and then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. His responsibilities included Latin America, Central America, North America, Asia, Asia Pacific, Australasia, and the Commonwealth.
Read more
In 2011, Hugo was sworn in as member of the Privy Council and he was subsequently Knighted
(Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael) in 2016.
Amongst other roles he is currently Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
Amongst other roles he is currently Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
Dr Alia Brahimi
Alia is a political analyst and advisor specialising in the Middle East and North Africa. She is currently a Nonresident Senior Fellow within the Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., having previously held academic positions at the University of Oxford, for many years, and the London School of Economics.
Read more
She has also worked as a political advisor on policy areas related to the region and has provided
expert briefings to several governments. Her book (Jihad and Just War in the War on Terror) was
published by Oxford University Press, and her commentary for a broader audience appears in the
Guardian and Foreign Policy.
Alia graduated with a Master’s (MPhil) and PhD (DPhil) in International Relations from the University of Oxford, where she also taught undergraduate and graduate students and completed her postdoctoral research.
Alia graduated with a Master’s (MPhil) and PhD (DPhil) in International Relations from the University of Oxford, where she also taught undergraduate and graduate students and completed her postdoctoral research.
Sir Mark Allen CMG
Mark was educated at the Dragon School, Downside, and Exeter College, Oxford, MA (Arabic and Turkish).
He joined HM Diplomatic Service in 1973. He did further Arabic training at MECAS (1974) and then served in Abu Dhabi (1975-77), Cairo (1978-81), and Belgrade (1982-86). He dealt with East European affairs in London (1986-90) before returning to the Middle East as Counsellor (Political) in Amman (1990-94). In London, Mark was later responsible for work on countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, for operational work in Africa and the Middle East, and counter terrorism. Finally he was responsible for Global Issues which included terrorism, WMD and strategic crime. His book, Arabs, was published in June 2006.
Read more
In 2010 following a long interest and practice in Arabic calligraphy, Mark was granted an ijaza in
Muhaqqaq script by his teacher Nassar Mansour and Nassar’s teacher, Hasan Çelebi in Istanbul. He
is believed to be the first Englishman to have been given an ijaza. He edited Nassar Mansour’s
“Sacred Script” in 2011.
Since retiring, Mark has been a special advisor to the BP Group, and a senior adviser to Palantir Technologies. He has been a trustee of St. John and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in London since 2009 and chairman 2019-2022. He was appointed CMG in 2002 and knighted in 2005. He received a Papal knighthood in 2009. He is an honorary fellow of St Antony’s College, Oxford.
Since retiring, Mark has been a special advisor to the BP Group, and a senior adviser to Palantir Technologies. He has been a trustee of St. John and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in London since 2009 and chairman 2019-2022. He was appointed CMG in 2002 and knighted in 2005. He received a Papal knighthood in 2009. He is an honorary fellow of St Antony’s College, Oxford.
Brigadier David Maddan
David served over thirty years in the British Army from 1984 and his experience reflected the nature of military commitments changing at the end of the Cold War and again post 9/11. He commanded counter terrorism and other less visible operations, often working closely with allies, especially the US. He was director of operations for Defence Intelligence.
Read more
Since leaving the Army he ran a young business, taking it from start-up to mature. He has long experience at senior management and board level which he is now applying as a non-executive director and board advisor. He is a trustee of the Grenadier Guards charity and a Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.
The Honorable Rodney E. Hood
The Honorable Rodney E. Hood is a distinguished financial services executive and board director with nearly three decades of leadership in banking, regulation, risk management, and financial inclusion. He has held multiple presidential appointments — serving in the Administrations of President George W. Bush and President Donald J. Trump, including service as Acting Comptroller of the Currency and as Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
Read more
In doing so, he became the first individual in U.S. history to lead
both federal regulatory agencies responsible for insured depository institutions. While
Acting Comptroller, he also served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (FDIC), as a voting member of the Financial Stability Oversight
Council (FSOC), and as Chairman of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council
(FFIEC).
Mr. Hood currently serves as an independent director on the boards of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and Zest AI. At FHLBank Atlanta, he is a member of the Audit Committee and the Compliance & Enterprise Risk Management Committee. He also serves on the International Advisory Board for Strategic Resource Management (SRM) and as a Board Observer for two financial technology firms, Vestwell and ModernFi. His prior career includes senior leadership positions with JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, NationsBank (now Bank of America), GE Capital, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also served on the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors and as Chairman of NeighborWorks America.
Internationally, Mr. Hood has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, a Salzburg Global Fellow, and a Young Leader with the American Council on Germany. He frequently engages in global financial forums, advising and collaborating with central bankers and regulators across the UK, EU, Japan, Africa, and the Middle East.
A frequent author and speaker, Mr. Hood has been published in the Wall Street Journal, American Banker, and other leading outlets. He brings to board service a unique blend of regulatory insight, global perspective, and a career-long commitment to responsible growth and consumer access.
Mr. Hood currently serves as an independent director on the boards of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and Zest AI. At FHLBank Atlanta, he is a member of the Audit Committee and the Compliance & Enterprise Risk Management Committee. He also serves on the International Advisory Board for Strategic Resource Management (SRM) and as a Board Observer for two financial technology firms, Vestwell and ModernFi. His prior career includes senior leadership positions with JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, NationsBank (now Bank of America), GE Capital, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also served on the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors and as Chairman of NeighborWorks America.
Internationally, Mr. Hood has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, a Salzburg Global Fellow, and a Young Leader with the American Council on Germany. He frequently engages in global financial forums, advising and collaborating with central bankers and regulators across the UK, EU, Japan, Africa, and the Middle East.
A frequent author and speaker, Mr. Hood has been published in the Wall Street Journal, American Banker, and other leading outlets. He brings to board service a unique blend of regulatory insight, global perspective, and a career-long commitment to responsible growth and consumer access.
NEWS LINKNEWS LINK
David McDonough OBE, OSTJ, MA Hons. (Oxon)
David has advised on strategic communications and reputational issues at the highest levels for 50 years: for businesses, business leaders, professional firms, foreign governments, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Heads of State and the leaders of major national and international charities.
Read more
He founded Sanctuary Counsel in 2019 and chaired it for nearly six years. He stepped down at the end of 2024 to run his own practice, McDonough Advisory, but remains Chairman Emeritus of Sanctuary Counsel.
In addition to his professional commitments, he remains personally very active in the charity world, including being Vice Chairman of the national charity, The British Normandy Memorial Trust, which has built a memorial on the Normandy coast for the 22,500 British troops who gave their lives in the D Day/Normandy campaign in 1944.
In addition to his professional commitments, he remains personally very active in the charity world, including being Vice Chairman of the national charity, The British Normandy Memorial Trust, which has built a memorial on the Normandy coast for the 22,500 British troops who gave their lives in the D Day/Normandy campaign in 1944.
News & Media
We elevate our clients’ stories, and the issues that matter to them, across a range of tier-one media.
Our track record includes editorial, op-ed, and front-page articles in the major platforms of the U.K. and the U.S, including:
Our track record includes editorial, op-ed, and front-page articles in the major platforms of the U.K. and the U.S, including:
Contact
Nexus
32 Curzon Street
London W1J 7TS
32 Curzon Street
London W1J 7TS
Nexus
4800 Montgomery Lane,
Suite 150
Bethesda,
MD 20814
4800 Montgomery Lane,
Suite 150
Bethesda,
MD 20814