Team
Our Experts
Our team brings together a dynamic mix of PR professionals, journalists, government advisors, and graphic designers, supported by an advisory board of industry experts in manufacturing, urban development, technology, and professional services. This unique blend of perspectives enables us to deliver informed, creative, and strategic solutions that align seamlessly with our clients' goals and industry trends.
James Holmes
Managing Director
James is an accomplished agency leader with a strong foothold in the European and Middle Eastern markets. He possesses a wealth of expertise in executive profiling, and integrated marketing, and a notable career dedicated to B2B and corporate communications, working with clients in professional services, technology, engineering and supply chain management.
Prior to joining THC, James was Director at Edelman and part of the senior leadership team working exclusively for DP World.
James had specific responsibility for the management of DP World’s partnerships portfolio, supervising its sponsorship of McLaren F1, the IPL and DP World Tour. He also brokered and managed relationships with the World Economic Forum, COP28, UNGA, B20, and an extensive B2B portfolio supporting four business units.
Guy Taylor
Managing Partner
Prior to co-founding THC, Guy has gained over 30 years’ experience in corporate and consumer communications working for a number of world-class firms. Most recently he served as CEO for Grayling in the Middle East and Asia-Pac regions, as well as being a member the company’s main international board where he later had responsibility for developing an affiliate network in over 50 countries.
During his career he has advised senior C-suite executives on strategic communications, gaining an in-depth knowledge of a variety of business sectors including government. Throughout his career he has worked closely with many global organisations such as JP Morgan, BAE Systems, MBDA, CBRE, MUFG, the British Council and the Dubai Sustainable Cities Summit. He has also written and produced several education programmes including “Food for Life”, a nutrition programme for Kellogg’s, which became part of the curriculum in over 7,000 primary schools in Saudi Arabia, and Mars’ “Al Haraka Al Baraka”, which enjoyed similar success in the region.
Ben Castree
Managing Partner
Ben is a co-founder and managing partner at THC with over 25 years of experience working across the full spectrum of communications in the Middle East. Born in the UAE, he has a unique insight into the region and its working practices and applies this to his culturally intuitive approach to communications.
He has closely worked with many leading organisations including Microsoft, Mars, HP, AMD, Skype, Chevron, the British Council, BAE Systems, MBDA, VTB Capital, Zurich International Life, JP Morgan, Qatar Financial Centre Authority and Qatar Foundation. He has also been involved with several major IPOs, such as the region’s largest real estate listing for TMG Holdings in Egypt.
Ben has a proven track record in Public Affairs, working with numerous government entities including Abu Dhabi Municipality, the Executive Office, Dubai Government, the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA), and the Dubai Land Department.
Ben was a founding partner of Momentum Communications in 2001, where he was instrumental in building a regional public relations network that was fully acquired by Huntsworth PLC (Grayling) in 2011.
Abdulkarim Samaan
Director
Abdulkarim is a bi-lingual communication consultant with over 10 years of communication and media experience. Specialising in digital comms, he has worked with a number of leading global organisations on developing and managing strategic communication programmes across the Middle East and North Africa. These include PayPal, Skype, Electronic Arts, AMD, Logitech, BAE Systems, MBDA and Naval Group (DCNS) and the British Council. He has also worked with Qatar Foundation (QF) on their global digital strategy and outreach, and has provided ongoing strategic insight into the online positioning of number of organisations under QF’s umbrella. Abdulkarim has also been involved with a number of government projects, having worked with Al Ain Municipality, the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) and the Dubai Sustainable Cities Summit.
His experience and fluency in both Arabic and English allow him to effectively integrate appropriate digital practices, insight and consultancy into communication programmes. He also provides training on digital best practice and how to efficiently use technology to fulfill overall communication and business objectives.
Hariharan Kuppuswamy
Design Director
Beginning his career in India, Hari built his foundations in design, web and interactive experiences before moving to the Gulf in 2004. Over the past two decades, he has worked across start-ups, multinational networks and independent agencies, developing a deep understanding of how creativity, technology and communication come together to solve business challenges.
As Design Director at THC & Partners, Hari works at the intersection of brand, design, digital experience, technology and performance. His experience spans creative direction, branding, UI/UX, websites and digital platforms, social and digital campaigns, 3D and experiential technology, as well as the rapidly evolving world of AI-driven search and brand visibility.
This multidisciplinary background allows Hari to look beyond how something simply looks – considering how people experience it, how clearly it communicates, how effectively it performs and, ultimately, how it contributes to the client’s business.
Throughout his career, Hari has worked with leading global and regional organisations including HP, Electronic Arts (EA), Logitech, Landmark Group, InterContinental Hotels, Al Ain Municipality, Metito, Zurich Insurance and Danat Hotels Group.
While remaining closely connected to creativity and design, his role has evolved into strategic consultancy, creative and digital leadership, and broader business thinking. Hari also contributes to the international creative community as an awards juror and judge, evaluating work across design, digital, marketing and communication.
Diana Allam
Account Manager
Diana Allam is an accomplished Account Manager at THC, specialising in managing defence and manufacturing accounts.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Media & Journalism, she has a robust background as a defence journalist for Security & Defense Arabia (SDA), where she covered developments geopolitics, diplomacy and the development of defence capabilities during the Russian-Ukranian war and the Gaza conflict.
Her journalist and broadcasting career spans various sectors, including press firms, television, and in-house for humanitarian organisations like the Norwegian Refugee Council.
She excels in public affairs, strategic planning, content creation, and public relations, engaging diverse audiences through her storytelling and analytical skills. Fluent in both Arabic and English, Diana is dedicated to delivering impactful and insightful content.
Her extensive background in humanitarian organisations and PR strategies equips her to navigate complex and sensitive subjects with ease, making her a valuable asset to THC.
Jennifer J. Lozano
Financial Controller
With a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Jennifer brings a wealth of multi sector experience to her key role in THC as a financial controller. Overseeing the all-important function of ensuring the business is running on a sound and healthy footing. Jennifer also manages the core administration of the company providing a seamless link between the partners, senior management, and all members of the team, as well as acting as the company liaison with official authorities and key stakeholders. Prior to joining THC she has extensive experience in the retail sector as a store manager, in addition to working as an accountant in facilities & property management, and freight forwarding companies. Jennifer continually strives to develop her skills and regularly updates herself on the latest techniques and best practice of the profession, always demonstrating her keen eye for detail in general accounting functions and rigorous approach to exemplary reporting standards.
Jennifer is a good communicator and regularly contributes to creative sessions away from her accountancy role to provide a fresh perspective, and always ensures that the team never misses a birthday…