Peter Wilkinson
Crisis Communications & Reputation Management Consultant | Crisis PR, Issues Management & CEO Reputation, Australia
Peter Wilkinson is one of Australia’s most experienced crisis communications consultants, reputation management advisers, and issues management specialists. Based in Sydney, Peter has spent 24 years guiding CEOs, internal PR, boards, and general counsel through Australia’s most complex crises. A trusted crisis PR agency principal and CEO reputation management adviser, drawing on 30+ years as a journalist before that.
Peter is MD, Wilkinson Group; Chair, Wilkinson Butler; past-Chair, Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom; past-Chair, Global Communications Alliance; GAICD, Member, Reputation Advisors International.
Crisis PR
Peter has successfully navigated crises including cyber-security attacks, sexual abuse/harassment, countering damaging industry or activist campaigns, media and social media attacks, product recalls, court cases and judicial inquiries, pollution spills, extortion and blackmail.
Learn more about crisis communications here – https://www.wilkinson-group.com.au/crisis-communications/
Reputation Management
Peter is direct and outcomes focused. His long-term retainer clients include NFPs and for-profits, including internal and external comms.
As an expert in communication strategy, Peter also advises boards and executives on governance and restructures.
Peter specialises in CEO reputation management across Australia and issues management advisory for boards and executive teams. He works directly with chief executives on personal brand positioning, executive reputation strategy, and managing reputational risk at the leadership level, before a situation becomes a crisis.
Learn more about reputation management here – https://www.wilkinson-group.com.au/reputation-management/
Wilkinson Butler
Wilkinson Butler specialises in three pillars: Crisis and Reputation Management; Sustainability and Energy Transitions; Digital.
The Wilkinson Butler team is built on the behaviours of creativity, nimbleness, strong and honest relationships, and constant learning. The company’s ethics are guided by its Code of Conduct – www.wilkinsonbutler.com
Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom
Peter was chair of the AJF for eight years. He believes a fair and accurate media is essential for a healthy democracy. The AJF also works towards a freer press and journalists’ safety in Australia and APAC – https://www.journalistsfreedom.com/
Global Communications Alliance
Peter is part-president of the GCA, an organisation of independent corporate affairs and public affairs agencies, connecting us to the world.
Reputation Advisors International
Peter is a member of this crisis-specific group, ensuring our work is best-practice. Learn more about Reputational Advisors International – https://reputationadvisors.net/
Background
Peter started out in journalism in the early 70’s on the ABC’s 7:30 (earlier versions) and Four Corners. He then transitioned to Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes and ACA.
In 2002 Peter co-founded Wilkinson Group with Claire Wilkinson, having forseen the disruption by the Internet on television. Peter and Claire, later, sold much of the business to employees who set up Wilkinson Butler. Peter joined as Chair in 2013.
Recent Commentary
Mumbrella – CommsCon 2026 Opening Keynote (March 2026): “The leader of the 2030 company won’t be marketing, advertising or research. It will be corporate affairs.” Read more…
Mumbrella – ANZ Opinion Piece (August 2025): Peter’s critique of ANZ’s corporate-speak crisis response. Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a crisis communications consultant do?
Ans: A crisis communications consultant guides organisations through media crises, reputational threats, and complex stakeholder challenges. Peter Wilkinson provides senior crisis counsel to CEOs and boards across Australia, helping them control the narrative and protect their reputation.
How is Peter Wilkinson different from a crisis PR agency?
Ans: Unlike a large agency, Wilkinson Group provides direct senior access. Peter personally leads every engagement no account managers, no junior staff. Clients work directly with 24 years of crisis and reputation management experience.
Does Peter Wilkinson work outside Sydney?
Ans: Yes. While based in Sydney, Peter provides crisis communications consultant services, CEO reputation management, issues management advisory, and reputation management counsel to organisations across Australia and internationally.
What is issues management and how does it differ from crisis communications?
Ans: Issues management is proactive identifying and managing emerging risks before they escalate into a full crisis. Peter Wilkinson provides issues management advisory across Australia, working with boards and CEOs to monitor, assess, and neutralise reputational threats early. Crisis communications is reactive; issues management is preventative. Peter provides both.
Peter’s skill is ensuring boards and executives can handle a crisis with confidence.
Get in touch…
Call us directly
Contact email
Address