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 | 28th August 2026 | In-House Public Affairs, Westminster Index
charlie hall

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.

“My career in public affairs began after a two-and-a-half-year stint in Parliament,” says Charlie Hall. Working “at the coalface of policymaking” gave him a grounding in how decisions are made, but also prompted a shift. “I wanted to move into a space where I could advocate for businesses that make a meaningful contribution to society.” That journey has taken him from hospitality into telecoms — with “connectivity as the common thread.”

That focus now places him in one of the UK’s most strategically important infrastructure sectors.

CityFibre is the UK’s largest independent full-fibre platform, building and operating digital infrastructure to support broadband connectivity across towns and cities nationwide. Its network underpins everything from residential internet access to business services and public sector connectivity. In a sector shaped by long-term investment, planning policy and regulatory frameworks, public affairs plays a central role in enabling rollout and unlocking capital.

For Hall, that system-wide perspective is key. One of the issues he returns to most often is not a single policy, but how they interact. “Individually, policies can be well-intentioned,” he says. The challenge comes when “regulatory, fiscal, planning and industrial decisions are developed in parallel rather than in concert.” The cumulative impact, particularly on investment, can be difficult …

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 Public Affairs: Grace Pritchard, Downing Street Director of News and the Prime Minister’s Political Spokesperson

Mace | August 3, 2026

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

Leader in Public Affairs: Zak Viney, Campaigns and Public Affairs Coordinator, Living Streets, “Politics starts locally on the doorstep”

Mace | August 3, 2026

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

Leader in Public Affairs: Zara Harrington, Head of Public Affairs, Diageo – “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”

Mace | August 3, 2026

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

The Advocate: Lucy Gilchrist, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, PepsiCo UKI – “Advocacy enables better policymaking”

Mace | August 2, 2026

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

The Strategist: Sonia Khan, senior partner H/Advisors – “Those of us who’ve spent a good amount of time in government understand how government operates”

William Cash | July 28, 2026

As one of Westminster's most effective public affairs strategists, Sonia Khan tells Mace how she bridges the gap between high-stakes politics and global corporate strategy.

Leader in Public UK Affairs: Beatrice Barleon, Head of Policy & Public Affairs, EngineeringUK, ‘Achieving change is team work, always’

Mace | July 28, 2026

With a career spanning sustainability, property and now EngineeringUK, Beatrice discusses her drive to work in policy areas that align with her principles.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Joe Chapman, Head of Public Affairs, Manchester Airports Group – “I love being an advocate”

Mace | July 23, 2026

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

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Stef Kenyon, Director of External Affairs, UK Chamber of Shipping, “I came to public affairs via a more unconventional route”

Mace | July 21, 2026

Stef Kenyon discusses the pressures, personalities, and politics that shape the maritime industry.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Anthony Vigor, Group Director, Persimmon Homes, “I was lucky to secure a role at National Express”

Mace | July 21, 2026

Anthony Vigor is Group Director of Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs at Persimmon Homes.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Edwin Morgan, Director of Policy & Communications, UK Warehousing Association – “I’ve always tried to assume that people are trying to do the right thing”

Mace | July 9, 2026

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