Founder & CEO – Jonathan Tanner

Jonathan founded Rootcause after more than fifteen years working in senior communications roles for high-profile politicians, CEOs, philanthropists and public thinkers across the world. In this time he has worked across more than a dozen countries running diverse teams whilst writing  keynote speeches,  securing front page headlines, delivering world-first social media moments and helping to secure meaningful changes to public policy.  

Through his work Jonathan has built a strong global network of clients and co-communicators, offering concise and articulate strategy with a motivational, optimistic perspective.

He has a track record of innovation and established the successful Government Vs The Robots podcast in 2018 to explore his interest in the relationship between politics and technology. This opportunity to quiz more than fifty leading global experts about the changing world of communication led him to publish Digital Information Ecosystems: The Progressive Playbook and many of these ideas inspired Rootcause. 

As a Research Associate at ODI Jonathan published ‘Ten things to know about misinformation and disinformation’ and has written more widely on politics, communication and international development for a range of newspapers. His consultancy clients include The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the Oak Foundation, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Foundation, Who Targets Me and Digital Action. 

Advisory Board

Hannah-Polly Williams

Hannah-Polly Williams is a Senior Director, ESG and Sustainability at FTI consulting, based in Paris and working globally. She advises clients on the design and deployment of their ESG and sustainability programs, guiding them in the implementation of tailored, sector-leading strategies that allow them to seize ESG-related opportunities. Hannah-Polly also advises clients on the implementation of appropriate corporate governance structures.

Before joining FTI Consulting, Hannah-Polly previously worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) where she was the Global Director of Board Strategy and Engagement, based in New York. Hannah-Polly started her career in London developing private sector partnerships at Oxfam, the Overseas Development Institute and the Allegra Foundation, where she led UK Coffee Week and ProjectWaterfall.

Hannah-Polly has a B.Sc. in Economics and Government from the London School of Economics, an M.Sc. in Global Governance and Ethics from University College London, and an MBA from Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.

Nick Scott

Nick is a specialist on digital strategy and innovation in the third sector. He brings over 15 years experience as a senior leader working with organisations in the UK, Spain and around the world to develop their digital strategies and teams. 

Originally from a communications background, his passion is helping these organisations respond to the challenges – and embrace the opportunities – of the digital economy. A core focus is on developing digital skills and fostering digital mindsets across the organisations. 

While at UNISON, Nick and his team were recognised in the UK Digital Leaders 100 list (Charity sector). In 2012, Nick’s digital strategy for the Overseas Development Institute won Digital Strategy of the Year at the European Digital Communications Awards. In 2021 Nick left a role as Head of Digital for Médicins Sans Frontières (MSF/Doctors Without Borders) in Spain to focus on a career in consultancy, alongside studying for an Executive MBA at ESADE. 

Anisha Chowdhury

Anisha is a communications professional currently working at the London Assembly. In her current role she has delivered creative content for campaigns which have been recognised by experienced  politicians as ‘their best ever’.

 A natural innovator, Anisha  started her career developing social media content for successful television shows such as Big Brother and the X Factor. She takes a keen interest in internet culture and has focused on developing multi-platform, multi-channel content, including leading the production of the UK’s first ever live-streamed political chatshow ‘The Crossbench’. 

More recently she  has worked in the charity sector developing her knowledge and contacts in the media whilst landing coverage across the BBC, Guardian and other national newspapers. Anisha’s blend of news-savvy creative thinking with a natural understanding of digital information ecosystems makes her a perfect fit for Root Cause.