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Our Team
Rishi
Bhattacharya
Founder and CEO
Rishi founded I&I in 2020, determined to deploy all he had learned during his career in communications and as a journalist to drive positive impact.
With 30 years of communications experience, he was a senior executive for two international communications agencies for a total of 15 years, from providing C-suite advisory to running complex programmes for some of the world’s largest companies.
He has advised CEOs through phases of growth and fundraising rounds, as well as through crises. He has worked across sectors from financial services, to energy, and from technology to nature.
He was the former global head of energy at Edelman and the co-head of corporate and capital markets at Instinctif Partners. He was a national broadcast political journalist during Tony Blair's premiership.
Sarah
King
Deputy Managing Director
Sarah is a public affairs and communications specialist with 15 years of experience advising clients how to navigate complex political, policy and media landscapes in sectors including sustainability, innovation and financial services.
Her career began in Westminster followed by roles at Asia House and as an Associate Partner in the Public Policy team at Instinctif Partners.
Sarah joined I&I in March 2022 as a Director and became Deputy Managing Director in January 2025.
Sarah works closely with clients to strengthen strategic positioning, develop high-impact messaging and build meaningful stakeholder relationships. Her expertise ensures confident engagement with government, industry and communities.
Matthew
McGuinness
Brand Director
Matthew has led I&I’s brand strategy and creative direction since March 2023, partnering with clients to shape vision, articulate brand voice and build visual systems that support long-term ambition. He works closely with clients to create distinctive, future-ready identities, helping organisations move with clarity, confidence and momentum.
With over 20 years’ experience across global advertising and brand agencies in New York, Fabrica-Benetton’s international communications think tank, and London’s communication houses, Matthew brings a rare blend of strategic depth and creative rigour.
He also teaches Visual Communication Design at Ravensbourne University, grounding his practice in academic thinking and real-world application. This dual perspective informs a considered, forward-looking approach where brands are built not just to look good, but to endure, adapt and lead.
Valerie
Kirwan
Director
Valerie has 18 years’ experience in politics, communications and public policy, joining I&I in January 2024.
She started her career in Westminster as a researcher for the former Deputy PM, Nick Clegg, before becoming head of broadcast media for the Liberal Democrats, overseeing strategy for local, European and general elections.
She was head of media for the British Medical Association before joining the civil service in 2018, where she worked on industrial policy in BEIS. In 2021 she joined the International Biodiversity and Climate Directorate in DEFRA where she worked on COP26, COP27 and CBD COP15.
Valerie loves using her experience to help clients drive meaningful change in the world.
Kate
Harvey
Director of Operations
Kate joined I&I in February 2023 and combines her operations role with leading client support and directing the brand studio. She ensures I&I operates with clarity, structure and to high standards.
She has more than 25 years’ experience in communications and campaigns. Her career started in Westminster, culminating in a senior role at the 2001 General Election before moving into communications roles in the charity sector.
Kate’s extensive background across UK politics, senior charity roles and operational leadership enables a strategic approach, providing sound judgment and disciplined delivery to clients across both communications and brand.
Jim
Clark
Associate Director
Jim leads on client delivery in the science, technology and innovation sectors. He looks to leverage his communications, media and political experience to ensure that I&I’s clients have a thoughtful public relations and communications strategy, impactful tactics and engaging messaging.
Jim has more than a decade of experience in communications, public affairs and policy. His career started in Parliament, where he worked for four different Members of Parliament. He then developed policy at a think tank,and worked in-house as a public affairs expert in financial services and utilities. Prior to joining I&I in June 2025, Jim worked with a number of creative and PR agencies.
Jim’s experience across different technical sectors allows him to consult and support clients with making the impact that they need: reaching the right audiences with a narrative that will appeal to them.
Nicholas
Moore
Account Director
Nicholas joined I&I in January 2023. He is passionate about helping changemakers solve the world’s most pressing systemic problems, and advises clients across impact investing, renewable energy and international development.
A keen writer and public speaker, Nicholas has ghostwritten articles and secured interviews in a range of key international and national media publications, helping clients raise their profile and lead the conversation.
Before joining I&I, Nicholas worked in financial communications and public affairs. He is studying an MBA at the London Interdisciplinary School and has a first degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge.
Maks
Julikovs
Junior Designer
Maks kickstarted his professional design career in January 2025 when he joined I&I. Having studied graphic design for over 5 years, with a degree in advertising and brand design, Maks has developed a sharp eye for visual communication - with a passion to use his design skills to create positive impact for clients and within the industry.
He loves showing clients and colleagues how their initiatives can be elevated and impactful through bold graphic design, motion and illustration.
Maks enjoys shaping his workflow so that it is informed by clients’ core values and goals - ensuring that his creative vision aligns with their objectives.
One of his great achievements at I&I has been designing our new website.
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