Ishara Bhasi Callan

Ishara Bhasi Callan is MD at Mantra Communications UK Ltd. She is an experienced media relations and communications consultant. An emerging markets expert, she specialises in international trade, international development, charity, NGOS and corporate communications. She has a proven track record of running successful media campaigns for outfits including the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa, British Asian Trust, IC Publications, Sipromad Group, Apollo Strategic Communications, the UK India Business Council and the Commonwealth Business Council. As the head of communications at the UKIBC she worked closely with the UKTI and FCO and with executives from big and small companies, including HSBC, Standard Chartered, PwC, UB Group, PwC, Vodafone, BT, Tata for media campaigns and stakeholder relations. She is also used to working with government ministers and policy makers. Before joining the corporate sector, she worked on national and international news desks across television and print including The Times of India, TV Today and The Sunday Telegraph. Ishara possesses valuable inside knowledge and understanding of what makes a good story. She uses multi-channel communications to deliver a strong buy-in from media and stakeholders. She designs bespoke PR and marketing campaigns which meet client’s requirements, getting the right people talking about your business. Her experience in newsrooms combined with her expertise in heading corporate communications departments, reflect in her sharp messaging and clever campaigns. She is in daily contact with and has close links to UK, European, Asian and African media. She has got outstanding coverage in leading international media including the FT, The Times, Guardian, Independent, CNN, Le Monde, RFI, BBC, SKY, and CNBC. She also published reports at the CBC and was editor for UKIBC’s corporate magazine.