Adrian Wheeler started out as a local newspaper reporter before joining a City public relations consultancy in 1972. Four years later he co-founded Sterling Public Relations, a multi-sector PR firm, which was acquired in 1990 by Grey Advertising as its first GCI office in Europe. Adrian was CEO of GCI London, which became a top-ten UK consultancy, and played a role in developing GCI's presence in EMEA, where the firm ultimately had 28 offices and 18 affiliates. Adrian was appointed chairman of GCI Europe in 2000. He left GCI in 2006 following Grey's acquisition by WPP.
His professional expertise lies principally in the technology, healthcare, transport and professional services industries. His specialisations are corporate reputation, issues & crises, and international campaign management. He plays an active part in the UK and international public relations bodies; in 1999/2000 he was chairman of the Public Relations Consultants Association and is today a member of the board of the Chartered Institute Of Public Relations.
In 2006 he published 'Best Business Advice', an anthology of ideas which guided the careers of 75 leading lights in the UK PR industry, in aid of the Evelina Children's Hospital Appeal Fund.
In addition to his role as a non-executive director at Firefly, Adrian is a director of British-American Business, a member of the Vice-Chancellor's Communications Advisory Panel at Cambridge University, a director of the Speakers' Corner Trust and a working investor at Gyroscope, a management consultancy.
Adrian lives in Prague with his wife and two young children, commuting to London each week. His interests outside work are sailing, aviation, military history, Egyptian archaeology and the media, to which he has a lifelong addiction.