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

Mace | 17th September 2026 | In-House Public Affairs, Westminster Index
claire lovegrove

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

“I grew up in media relations roles and have always been drawn to issues management and campaigning,” says Claire Lovegrove. Her route into public affairs was not a clean break, but an evolution — shaped by a moment when her organisation’s work shifted significantly towards the public sector. “It became clear we needed a more structured approach… that created an opportunity for me to build it properly from the ground up.” That foundation still defines how she approaches the role today: public affairs as something integrated, intentional and embedded within the business, rather than an occasional add-on. Mitie operates across facilities management, engineering and professional services, delivering everything from security and cleaning to decarbonisation and infrastructure support. With a large proportion of its work tied to public sector clients, the company sits close to government priorities — whether in healthcare, defence, transport or energy. In that context, understanding policy i...

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, Jayne Almond, Public Affairs Director UKI, L’Oréal, “Look after your network and treat people well”

Mace | October 30, 2026

Jayne Almond’s career has taken her from Brussels and local government to some of the UK’s best-known consumer brands. L’Oréal’s UK and Ireland public affairs director tells The

Leader in Public Affairs: Luke Law, Director of Government & External Affairs, Serco Group Plc — “You don’t influence from your desk”

Mace | October 19, 2026

Serco’s Luke Law speaks to The Mace about public affairs at the sharp end of government delivery, the importance of relationships in a volatile policy environment and why

Leader in UK Public Affairs, Madeleine Hale, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy (UK&I), Dell Technologies, “Ask for forgiveness, not permission”

Mace Magazine | October 15, 2026

From a music degree and Parliament to five years inside the civil service, Madeleine Hale has built a career around taking opportunities and understanding government from within. Dell

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Abigail Whittaker, Chief of Staff, Funding Circle “Public affairs is built on the strength and nuance of personal relationships (or a well-timed coffee)”

Mace | October 9, 2026

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

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Jonathan Pallant, Head of External Affairs, Financial Services Compensation Scheme, “Lead by example and be clear on your standards”

Mace | October 9, 2026

Shifting perceptions, particularly in financial services, is “no easy task” — and often requires sustained engagement across multiple audiences

Leader in Public Affairs: Erin Mansell, Deputy Director and Head of External Affairs, Women’s Budget Group, “Feminists generally get a bad rap for being serious”

Mace | October 8, 2026

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.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Ross Hawley, Head of Investor Relations, ZIGUP, “You understand the detail and live with the consequences”

Mace | October 7, 2026

Having moved into investor relations from a City banking and hedge fund background, his route into policy engagement has been indirect — but increasingly central.

Leader in Public Affairs – Polly Dhaliwal, Chief Operating Officer, Enterprise Nation “Public affairs, at its best, is about bridging worlds”

Mace | October 7, 2026

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

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Charlotte Thomason, Head of Public Affairs, Commercial & Institutional, NatWest, “In failure is growth”

Mace | October 2, 2026

Charlotte reflects on entrepreneurship, leadership and AI, and why understanding the businesses behind policy issues matter.

Markus Leutert, Corporate Affairs, PerkinElmer – “Focus on outcomes, rather than outputs”

Mace | September 29, 2026

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.