Christine McKenna
Head of Communications at Etihad Rail
The move
MoveTechnology Innovation Institute → Etihad Rail
TitleSecondment: Communications Lead → Head of Communications
LocationAbu Dhabi → Abu Dhabi
Career arcRecent arrival
First time at this levelYes ★
Cross-border moveNo — same country
Years in UAE2.5
Total experience6.0 years
Etihad Rail headcount201-500 employees
Etihad Rail industryRail Transportation
Etihad Rail HQAbu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
Etihad Rail founded2009
Etihad Rail typeGovernment Agency
Career arc
- Head of CommunicationsApr 2026 — Present
Etihad Rail· Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates - Secondment: Communications LeadJun 2025 — Apr 2026
Technology Innovation Institute· Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates· Contract - Communications ConsultantOct 2023 — May 2025
Burson· Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Senior Account DirectorAug 2021 — Jun 2022
Grayling· London
- Account DirectorJan 2020 — Aug 2021
- Vice ChairJun 2019 — Jun 2020
NextGen Public Affairs
- Senior Account ManagerDec 2018 — Jan 2020
Education
- Forest SchoolHigh School2004 — 2011
- Loughborough UniversityBachelor’s Degree · History and International Relations2012 — 2015
Top skills
Political CampaignsBudget ManagementRelationship BuildingCrisis CommunicationsExecutive ProfilingRisk Analysis
About
A Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) award-winning senior communications professional with a track record in navigating the complex communications and political landscapes of the Middle East, UK, and Europe. Currently based in UAEAreas of Expertise: Strategic Planning & Execution | Counsel & Analysis | Internal & External Stakeholder Engagement | Thought Leadership | Messaging Development | Campaign Management | Budgeting & Forecasting | Reputation & Crisis Management | Multi-Channel Activations | Trends Analysis | PR & Social Content | Executive Presentations | Line Management