Thomas
Billinghurst

Thomas Billinghurst is the head of APCO’s MENA Content practice, based in the Dubai office. At APCO, Mr. Billinghurst leads the strategic content for government, public affairs, corporate and consumer accounts, which includes the entire spectrum of content – from editorial to keynote speechwriting, social media strategy to creative copywriting.

Mr. Billinghurst began his media career with Dubai-based Gulf News as a features writer. He wrote across the newspaper’s various desks including new, business, sports, contract publishing and supplements and tabloid. After more than three years at Gulf News, Mr. Billinghurst returned to his roots of academia and education and taught English language and literature at a Sixth Form College for three years. The experience of teaching the art and skill of communication to young adults has become an invaluable attribute to his industry expertise, presentation and public speaking skills.

Mr. Billinghurst returned to Dubai to take on the position of deputy editor for Debonair, a men’s luxury lifestyle print and online magazine. From there, he became the digital editor of Debonair and EDGAR to manage the writing, editing, commissioning, designing and laying out of monthly magazines, as well as managing the digital strategies to increase the brands online presence.

Mr. Billinghurst holds a first-class bachelor’s degree in English literature and sports and exercise science from the University of Gloucestershire and Cheltenham, and distinction master’s degree in English literature from Warwick University