5654 hires ex-Labour spad to tackle Burnham government

Mace | 21st October 2026 | Moves

Political communications consultancy 5654 & Company has hired a director who joins its pool of former Labour advisers.

Owain Mumford has joined 5654 as a director, where he will help clients navigate the new Burnham administration, the agency said. Mumford brings experience from his time as a special adviser to Bridget Phillipson MP, the then-Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities. In the role, he led communications campaigns supporting the Starmer government’s reforms to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities policies. During Labour’s time in opposition, he served as communications adviser to both Phillipson and Steve Reed MP. He has also worked on several local election campaigns and a general election campaign for the party. Mumford has previously held communications roles at the Post Office, Arthritis Research UK and Hanover Communications. 5654 chief executive and founder Ben Thornton said: “As Andy Burnham sets out his vision for the country, and at a time when political volatility remains, Owain further strengthens our ability to advise clients and deliver campaigns t...

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.