AHRC Council member
Emma Kane is the Senior Independent member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Council.
Emma is Head of EMEA and Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer of SEC Newgate, the world’s 20th largest communications and advocacy group, as well as Chief Executive Officer of its UK operations. She leads teams delivering integrated corporate affairs campaigns locally, nationally, and internationally, driving change while protecting and enhancing reputations across diverse sectors.
Emma serves as Deputy Chair of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which works to end the global AIDS epidemic. The Foundation funds innovative programmes, advocates for policies to eliminate stigma, and ensures access to prevention, treatment and care for vulnerable populations. She is also Deputy Chair of the Green Finance Institute.
Previously, Emma served as:
- Chair of Target Ovarian Cancer
- Chair of the Barbican Centre Trust and a Member of the Corporation of London’s Barbican Board
- Trustee of the Wiener Holocaust Library
- Trustee of COSMIC (Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care)
With over three decades of leadership in communications, Emma has earned numerous industry accolades, reflecting her pioneering contributions to public affairs and corporate communications. Beyond her professional achievements, Emma is a keen sculptor, a former professional tenor saxophonist, and holds a Diploma in Jazz & Popular Music. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Last updated: 1 April 2025