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...

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