Mace
The combination of government, campaigns and consultancy gives Beth a broad view of Westminster
Funding Circle’s Abigail Whittaker explains how policy can unlock finance for small businesses, why timing matters in advocacy and why AI will make strong relationships more valuable, not less.
Fabri discusses his support for greater transparency and his belief that lobbying standards should apply beyond traditional public affairs agencies
Two senior partners who left communications agency Finn Partners’ Irish operation last month have revealed their next move.
Shifting perceptions, particularly in financial services, is “no easy task” — and often requires sustained engagement across multiple audiences
At the Women’s Budget Group, debates about fiscal rules, welfare reform and public spending land directly on the lives of women, carers and disabled people.
W Communications has recruited a former director from luxury PR firm CuraConn
Having moved into investor relations from a City banking and hedge fund background, his route into policy engagement has been indirect — but increasingly central.
“Education is why I came into politics, and it is hardly talked about”
Enterprise Nation’s Polly Dhaliwal explains how public affairs can bridge the gap between policymakers and entrepreneurs, turn small-business experience into practical policy and ensure ambition is matched by commercial reality.
In contrast to last year’s Tory conference, Kemi Badenoch is coming out guns blazing, not the least when it comes to defence, says Flora Watkins
Charlotte reflects on entrepreneurship, leadership and AI, and why understanding the businesses behind policy issues matter.
A former Lloyd’s of London and government communications specialist has joined MHP Group
Just under half of professionals say the risks of taking public stances outweigh the benefits
Leutert’s career has included moments close to politics, including time as a speechwriter, but he concluded that he can have more impact behind the scenes.
From leading communications at Downing Street to advising clients at Blakeney, Daniel Mulloy reflects on the value of hard work, strategic thinking and the enduring importance of human writing in an age of AI.
They have been hired to support the corporate and public affairs work of MHP Group
Fleetwood Strategy’s election-winning co-founder on building resilience, looking beyond AI and owning his mistake
Andy talks about how career progression isn’t just about salary but spending time doing work that you find meaningful
Claire captures the appeal of public affairs: influence without exposure, impact without political office.
One of Newcastle United’s longest serving players has been selected to head up corporate affairs for Newcastle United.
Oisin O’Malley Daly will oversee growth markets and public policy.
Alice Macandrew has spent four years in the leadership role
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 Westminster can learn from Britain’s space sector.
Sainsbury’s has brought in an PR star to lead consumer comms at its Argos and Habitat brands.
Communications agency PrettyGreen has appointed a managing partner for its social and influencer division.
Groundbreaking study reveals that delaying children’s smartphone ownership can reduce mental health problems among primary school pupils.
Public affairs firm PLMR has hired a veteran Labour adviser who worked with Prime Minister Andy Burnham during the last Labour government.
After two decades spent in advocacy on behalf of business, Ros reveals what parts of the industry she believes needs reform.
Tim reflects on the reality of operating in an environment where political pressure, public scrutiny and long-term infrastructure decisions all collide.
Dan discusses his time in the industry that “literally built Britain”, his leadership philosophies, and how AI will never replace empathy.
Founded in 2016, Hanbury Strategy employs more than 150 people globally.
John Bew has joined Brunswick as a senior adviser in its geopolitical practice.
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 voice in the room.
Sophie has been passionate about politics since her teenage years. Now, she works at the intersection of policy, delivery and public accountability.
Andriy Dovbenko is a Ukrainian-born, London-based entrepreneur who works extensively across the UK and Ukrainian defence.
“Working with the Westminster press pack has been an honour”
Lexington has yet again strengthened its corporate communications practice with two senior hires
From gaining his politics degree to standing in the 2019 General Election – Lewis reveals how these experiences informed his career in public affairs.
Miguel Head is returning to London to begin a master’s programme
The deal brings Rich Feuer Anderson’s advocacy expertise and regulatory access together with FGS Global’s focus on strategic communications, transaction advisory and crisis management.
Paul McGarry has been appointed media and public affairs manager at Crisis Scotland, having just started in his new role.
From political editor of The Sunday Times to bringing down two BBC chiefs, Michael Prescott reflects on his distinguished career as a journalist and now leading UK corporate strategist (and Beatles fan).
Turner’s work sits within the BioIndustry Association, the trade body representing the UK’s biotechnology and life sciences sector.
Andy Burnham is shaking up government with more changes than by any incoming prime minister in memory. But, asks Sir Bernard Jenkin MP, does he understand why the political machinery has failed for previous PMs?
Konrad Shek discusses his proudest achievement of building the Advertising Association’s credibility and influence in media literacy policy.
FGS Global has acquired Washington, DC-based government affairs firm Rich Feuer Anderson.
Robert Forrester reflects on his achievement in helping to found a company 20 years ago that now generates £5bn in revenue and employs more than 7,500 people.
David Sheen pushes back against common perceptions about public affairs, but argues instead that it is about hard work, marshalling arguments, and building coalitions.
Zack Polanski has drafted in a new advisor from a former party co-leader.
Signe Norberg reflects on her leadership philosophies, encouraging people to ‘lead with humanity’
Industry leaders say the UK chemical supply chain has “enormous potential” but is suffering due to business costs, trade conditions and uncertainty.
For 10 months, ex-army officer James Jeffrey trekked 3500 km across Europe by foot. The scale of migration he witnessed may not have been as dramatic as the storming of Ceuta. But this exclusive account of his solo odyssey is a wake-up call to how the Europe he knew growing up in Germany has vanished as a result of open borders and illegal crossings.
After heading the Makerfield by-election comms team, Grace Pritchard was singled out by Andy Burnham as being a key part of his northern campaign team. The self-styled ‘Yorkshire lass’ is now the Prime Minister’s Political Spokesperson and Director of News at Downing Street.
Living Streets’ Zak Viney speaks to The Mace about moving from engineering into advocacy, making the case for walkable streets across political divides and securing practical progress on pavement parking.
From navigating regulation and trade policy to aligning advocacy with commercial strategy, Diageo’s Zara Harington’s career in public affairs has been about understanding how political decisions translate into real-world business outcomes.
PepsiCo UKI’s Lucy Gilchrist does some of her best policy thinking on the running machine. She tells The Mace why public affairs must turn intelligence into action, how campaigning shaped her approach to political pressure, and why AI should augment rather than replace hard-won experience.
The Civil Service is ready to support Dame Antonia Romeo’s flagship changes to government machinery – notably relating to AI and devolution – under new prime minister Andy Burnham, writes Jonathan Freeman, CEO of the Charity for Civil Servants.
UK aviation can decarbonise while meeting growth ambitions, but urgent government action is needed to prevent costs increasing for passengers and the sector losing its competitive edge.
The leading association for not-for-profit care has called the Prime Minister’s announcement ‘a seminal moment’
After two decades at Weber Shandwick, Natalie Buxton has left to lead Fenton Fitzwilliam.
Lexington Communications is a leading independent strategic communications consultancy based in the UK that specializes in public affairs, government relations, and reputation management.
Fenton Fitzwilliam is an Irish-headquartered public affairs and strategic communications consultancy.
Led by Sarah Brown, former head of comms for Sadiq Khan, Andy Burnham’s new Downing Street media operation will be “agile, media-savvy, and unflinchingly clear on its narrative” according to insiders.
With a career spanning sustainability, property and now EngineeringUK, Beatrice discusses her drive to work in policy areas that align with her principles.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has an opportunity to make Britain the best place to start and scale a business, argues CEO Liam Houghton.
Joe Chapman, head of public affairs at the Manchester Airport Group, reveals his support for reform in the public affairs industry and why he loves being a leading in-house advocate in the aviation sector.
Dan Mulloy, a government communications specialist, has moved into his first ever agency role.
Richard Casofsky has experience at L’Oréal, Heineken, Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s now joins the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.
Stef Kenyon discusses the pressures, personalities, and politics that shape the maritime industry.
Anthony Vigor is Group Director of Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs at Persimmon Homes.
Since March 2022, the UK has granted more than 286,000 visas to Ukrainians making London the destination of choice for young global talent. Anya Bryzhko explains why the UK is such a cultural magnet.
Specialist digital agency hired a senior figure from political communications, campaigning and strategy in Australia as its first chief executive.
Rachael Sansom, CEO for Europe and the UK, has announced her departure after seven years at Havas Red.
Former director of corporate communications at Three UK, Juliet Callaghan, has rejoined FTI Consulting’s UK Strategic Communications segment.
Former Cow managing director Matt Wilcock has been brought in by Consumer PR agency, The Academy.
James Lyons, the former director of strategic communications at No. 10, has joined Penta Group.
Industry leaders say that ‘trust hangs by a thread’ and the time has come take action.
At the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), Edwin Morgan champions a diverse network of businesses, from family-run depots to major logistics operators, making sure logistics industry challenges are heard in Westminster.
After cutting her teeth in agencies such as FTI and FGS Global, Whitley moved in-house to British Land in 2015, a role that has defined her career as a leading advocate in the UK property world.
Welsh Water said the creation of the head of public affairs role “signifies the importance of, and our commitment to, ensuring appropriate and timely engagement with elected representatives.”
Strategic communications agency Apella Advisors has hired the former Global Counsel as a partner.
Portland has appointed Tom Rayner as the new Managing Partner of its public affairs and policy team.
Political communications agency Atticus Partners hired a former Conservative Party political director Adam Wildman.
Alice Parker has nearly a decade of experience in government communications.
A lawyer who traded M&A briefs for boardroom strategy, Andreas Bohrer has spent a decade quietly expanding his remit at one of pharma’s most critical manufacturers. When the pandemic demanded a global response at speed, the fencing fan and doctor in law was at hand to lead by example.
Introducing the inaugural Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on British soil, a landmark expansion of the world’s premier conservative networking brand.
Across his career, a consistent theme emerges: the importance of experience, perspective and trust.
Creating a Defence Industrial base with no new money is going to be a challenge for any Defence Secretary. But, argues defence expert William Wallace, there are several free things that Dan Jarvis can starting thinking about before the NATO summit in Turkey, on 7-8th July.
The dismal results of reducing the police force in Scotland should act as a cautionary deterrent for English police reform, writes Sharon Dowey, a former member of the Scottish Parliament’s criminal justice committee.
Latest Dept of Education figures reveal over 40,000 independent school pupils dropping out since Labour’s VAT raid. But, The Mace argues, surging fees, an arms race for facilities and a marketing drive for “overseas” pupils, has long made the traditional private school model unsustainable.
As politicians call for more external appointments in Whitehall, Professor Nada Kakabadse argues that the real challenge lies not in recruitment, but governance.
Andy Burnham may struggle to win the Makerfield by-election if ‘Wigan Man’ emerges as the new median voter whom parties must attract to win the next election, says Simon Caldwell.
CIPR chief executive Alastair McCapra explains why lobbying needs stronger regulation, higher professional standards and the human judgement that technology cannot replace.
“2025 felt like a milestone moment”
Graeme Donnelly, CEO and founder of 1st Formations, explains why the King’s Speech’s proposed crackdown on late payments will help the SME economy.
Despite the new 5% VAT tax break for holiday attractions, tourism trade body leaders are speaking out about how government policies may not help the sector.
The former deputy prime minister and foreign secretary will be advising Kreab global clients on defence and intelligence-related issues, as well as international geopolitics and Westminster issues.
After leaving Linklaters, Jessica joined the Conservative Party’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change team in 2008 just as energy security and climate policy were rising rapidly up the agenda. Her career reflects how the energy market has re-structured over the last decade.
Is money a factor behind Prince Harry’s move back to the UK?
Is there a connection between Prince Harry’s share of a £34 million legal bill and his sudden move back to the UK? The Mace follows the money.
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