Collapse of Global Counsel must lead to lobbying reform say leading industry figures

Mace | 22nd February 2026 | Comment, Politics

As the dust settles on the sudden collapse of Global Counsel, the lobbying industry faces a defining moment says The Mace.

With Global Counsel plunged into administration just two weeks after new CEO Rebecca Park was appointed on February 6th, public affairs sector leaders have described the company's folding and fallout as a 'watershed' moment for public affairs. Many are saying that genuine reform of the industry must be a priority if trust is to be re-established. CIPR’s CEO Alistair McCapra told PRWeek that Global Counsel’s implosion - after many multinational clients terminated relationships and retainers - shows that the industry must reform its rules and practises, which remain shadowy and mercurial. With lobbyists already on notice due to recent Labour related lobby scandals, including the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer's Number 10 comms chief and also his head of staff Morgan McSweeney, McCapra noted that the industry image was not helped by 'growing questions over how Global Counsel’s client Palantir has been able to secure so many public contracts in the UK”. “In the light of these ques...

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