Green Party leader recruits new comms advisor
Zack Polanski has drafted in a new advisor from a former party co-leader.
Category Archives: Moves
Leader in Public Affairs: Grace Pritchard, Downing Street Director of News and the Prime Minister’s Political Spokesperson
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.
Natalie Buxton departs Weber Scotland to lead agency with ex-colleague
After two decades at Weber Shandwick, Natalie Buxton has left to lead Fenton Fitzwilliam.
Lexington appoints new senior advisor
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 strengthens UK leadership with two senior appointments
Fenton Fitzwilliam is an Irish-headquartered public affairs and strategic communications consultancy.
New No 10 comms unit revealed, led by former Sadiq Khan’s media director Sarah Brown
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.
No. 10 chief press officer leaves to join PR agency
Dan Mulloy, a government communications specialist, has moved into his first ever agency role.
Ex-L’Oréal and Heineken public affairs leader joins IPA
Richard Casofsky has experience at L’Oréal, Heineken, Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s now joins the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.
Topham Guerin names Andrew Hirst as first CEO
Specialist digital agency hired a senior figure from political communications, campaigning and strategy in Australia as its first chief executive.
Havas Red chief Rachael Sansom departs
Rachael Sansom, CEO for Europe and the UK, has announced her departure after seven years at Havas Red.
FTI Consulting hires ex-Three UK communications chief
Former director of corporate communications at Three UK, Juliet Callaghan, has rejoined FTI Consulting’s UK Strategic Communications segment.
Ex-Cow Managing Director joins The Academy
Former Cow managing director Matt Wilcock has been brought in by Consumer PR agency, The Academy.
Ex-Downing Street comms chief joins agency
James Lyons, the former director of strategic communications at No. 10, has joined Penta Group.
Welsh Water appoints head of public affairs
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.”
Ex-Global Counsel director joins Apella Advisors
Strategic communications agency Apella Advisors has hired the former Global Counsel as a partner.
Portland names new public affairs Managing Partner
Portland has appointed Tom Rayner as the new Managing Partner of its public affairs and policy team.
Ex-Conservative Party director joins Atticus Partners
Political communications agency Atticus Partners hired a former Conservative Party political director Adam Wildman.
Home Office comms deputy rejoins the Cabinet Office
Alice Parker has nearly a decade of experience in government communications.
Checkmate DC’s bold London move
Tristan Breijer is the new London head of Checkmate Government Relations. The move into London gives the US lobby firm its first European base, bringing its global power-broking network, with close links to the Trump administration, to the “heart of European policymaking”.
Ex-Citypress public affairs lead joins law firm
Tom Anelay, who most recently led the public affairs practice at Citypress, has moved to an in-house role at one of the UK’s fastest-growing law firms.
H/Advisors Cicero hired to drive financial inclusion in parliament
H/Advisors Cicero has been briefed to increase support for financial inclusion, provide monitoring and intelligence.
Westminster Street Fight for the Labour crown
With Wes Streeting resigning and Angela Rayner now cleared by HMRC, all eyes are on Westminster’s Game of Thrones-style battle for the Labour crown
Pagefield and WPI’s merger throws into question the boutique PA firm model
As the two firms face a merger, the question over the longevity of the boutique firm is put under the spotlight.
Reform UK adviser joins PLMR
Kirsty Walmsley’s move to PLMR signals that Reform are being treated as a real political force, rather than an outside threat.
Ex-Global Counsel employees find a new home
Following Global Counsel’s demise a few weeks ago, talent from the firm has already been picked up by a number of big name PA and communications agencies.
Green Party leader gets new communications advisor
Polanski’s new communications advisor shows that the Green Party leader is serious about his public image.
Blakeney bolsters its team with new additions
Blakeney has welcomed former drinks company Oatly managing
director Tim Knight and pro-Brexit MEP Lucy Harris, in an effort to strengthen their position, the public affairs and strategic
consultancy announced on Thursday.
What’s next for Global Counsel?
With both founders resigning and Rebecca Park as the new CEO, William Cash looks at how the leading global lobbying firm might turn a crisis into opportunity
Portland Communications founder leaves Downing Street
Tim Allan becomes latest senior figure to leave government
McSweeney’s resignation raises questions over lobbying links
Whilst the headlines focus on McSweeney’s exit from Downing Street, his work at Labour Together has gone unnoticed
Robert Jenrick sacked from shadow cabinet and stripped of Conservative whip
Robert Jenrick is removed from the shadow cabinet and loses the Conservative whip amid claims he was planning a defection
M&S corporate affairs chief exits for senior FMCG role
Marks & Spencer corporate affairs chief Victoria McKenzie-Gould departs to join The Magnum Ice Cream Company in a senior FMCG leadership role.
Nadhim Zahawi defects to Reform UK in blow to Conservatives
Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi leaves the Conservatives for Reform UK, highlighting mounting pressure and fragmentation on Britain’s centre right.
The Crown Estate Opens £7.2 Million Communications Framework Tender
The Crown Estate launches a £7.2 million communications framework tender, seeking multiple agencies to deliver corporate and public affairs services.
Telegraph Communications Chief Isabel Bruce Joins Trafalgar Strategy
Former Telegraph communications chief Isabel Bruce moves into consultancy, joining Trafalgar Strategy as senior media and communications expertise shifts sectors.
FleishmanHillard Global Practices Chief Mark Mortell Departs After 23 Years
FleishmanHillard’s global head of practices and sectors Mark Mortell exits after 23 years amid leadership change across Omnicom’s communications business
BP names new boss as CEO departs after brief tenure
BP appoints new chief executive as Murray Auchincloss exits early, signalling reset amid investor pressure and shifting energy market priorities
Ex-deputy chair among Tory defections to Reform
Three former Conservative MPs, including ex-deputy chair Jonathan Gullis, defect to Reform UK as the party capitalises on Tory unrest and declining support.
Yermak’s Resignation Sends Shockwaves Through Kyiv and Europe
The resignation of Andriy Yermak after anti-corruption raids disrupts Ukraine’s leadership and triggers uncertainty across Europe during a critical phase of the war.
Badenoch moves to revive Conservative donors’ advisory board
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, is preparing to relaunch an exclusive advisory board for high-value donors. The board previously provided donors access to senior ministers and was disbanded. The party says it is a new format. The move comes amid fundraising challenges and pressure from rival parties.
Starmer Axes Mandelson After Fresh Epstein Revelations
Peter Mandelson was sacked as UK Ambassador to the US after new emails revealed deeper ties to Jeffrey Epstein, including support for legal challenges to his conviction and a private birthday note calling Epstein “best pal.” Global Counsel is selling Mandelson’s 21 per cent stake. The move intensifies scrutiny of government vetting.
Angela Rayner’s Boyfriend Sam Tarry Joins Universal Music as Adviser
Sam Tarry has taken on an advisory role at Universal Music to manage political relations. The appointment preceded Angela Rayner’s resignation as deputy prime minister. His work occurs amid the company’s campaign against AI copyright breaches and follows scrutiny over his previous lobbying and political connections.
Nadine Dorries Joins Reform UK on Eve of Conference
Nadine Dorries, former Conservative culture secretary, has defected to Reform UK just ahead of its Birmingham conference. Seen as the most high-profile Tory defection yet, her join strengthens Nigel Farage’s rising populist party amid growing donor support and public momentum.