Leader in UK Public Affairs: Andy Brown, Marketing, Communications and Business Development Director, Arup, “Be open”

Mace | 17th September 2026 | In-House Public Affairs, Westminster Index
andy brown

Andy talks about how career progression isn't just about salary but spending time doing work that you find meaningful

“Everyone at work knows I’m a huge advocate of AI,” says Andy Brown, a Director at Arup, an international engineering consultancy where he leads more than 100 experts, supporting designers and consultants as they deliver complex projects around the world. “It’s a genuine game-changer,” he reflects on AI, which can write and process complex information and save time, “but what AI cannot replace is human interaction—and that’s precisely where so much of the value in public affairs is created.” Brown’s interest in complex systems began as an engineer on the London Underground. A secondment to Transport for London’s political office revealed a new path. “Something clicked immediately,” he recalls. “The combination of complex stakeholder relationships, policy influence and the sheer scale of what TfL was trying to navigate… was completely compelling.” For Brown, “career progression isn't just about seniority or salary—it’s about spending more of your time doing work that you find genuinely ...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Leader in UK Public Affairs: Claire Lovegrove, Director of Corporate Affairs, Mitie, “AI is an enabler, not a replacement”

Mace | September 17, 2026

Claire captures the appeal of public affairs: influence without exposure, impact without political office.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Dr Michelle Howard, Senior Advisor for Defence and Space, Lexington Communications: “The future of public affairs is full of promise for the creative”

Mace | September 16, 2026

Lexington’s Michelle Howard explains how an unconventional career spanning opera, journalism, hydropower and defence led her into public affairs, why political instability rewards creativity and listening, and what

Leader in Public Affairs: Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance, “Build a strong, proud and open culture where everyone has a voice”

Mace | September 8, 2026

After two decades spent in advocacy on behalf of business, Ros reveals what parts of the industry she believes needs reform.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Tim Hewish, Public Affairs Lead, National Grid, “Go and make a difference”

Mace | September 8, 2026

Tim reflects on the reality of operating in an environment where political pressure, public scrutiny and long-term infrastructure decisions all collide.

Leader In UK Public Affairs: Dan Mann, Corporate Affairs Manager, Cemex, “Side before self every time”

Mace | September 8, 2026

Dan discusses his time in the industry that "literally built Britain", his leadership philosophies, and how AI will never replace empathy.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Charlie Hall, Public Affairs Manager, CityFibre “I want to advocate for businesses that make a meaningful contribution to society”

Mace | August 28, 2026

CityFibre’s Charlie Hall explains why joined-up policymaking is vital to infrastructure investment, how in-house advocacy connects politics with commercial reality and why the best decisions draw on every

Leader in Public Affairs: Sophie Timms, Corporate Affairs Director, Kier Group, “Nothing is more important than keeping people safe”

Mace | August 27, 2026

Sophie has been passionate about politics since her teenage years. Now, she works at the intersection of policy, delivery and public accountability.

Leader In Public Affairs: Lewis North, Head of Public Affairs, Porterbrook, “Take care of your people and they will take care of you”

Mace | August 26, 2026

From gaining his politics degree to standing in the 2019 General Election - Lewis reveals how these experiences informed his career in public affairs.

Industry Watch: John Gill, Deputy Director of External Affairs, Reform UK – “There’s no limit to where a man can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit”

Mace Magazine | August 20, 2026

John Gill's promotion at Reform UK, just before the party launches its inaugural Business Day at its September NEC conference, is indicative of how the party is ramping

The Mace Questionnaire: Marshall Manson, CEO, FleishmanHillard UK – “Politics is seeping into business through every crack” 

Mace Magazine | August 12, 2026

The innovative digital comms veteran Marshall Manson, now CEO of FleishmanHillard UK, reveals how he misses The West Wing, was introduced to Westminster by Gyles Brandeth's political diaries