UK Budget 2026: How does Healey plan to help young people?
Healey’s 2026 Budget offers some support for young people through apprenticeships, entrepreneurship and home ownership, but with more policies yet to be revealed, much remains uncertain.
Leader in UK Public Affairs: Dr Michelle Howard, Senior Advisor for Defence and Space, Lexington Communications: “The future of public affairs is full of promise for the creative”
Mace | 16th September 2026 | Uncategorised, Westminster Index
Lexington’s Michelle Howard explains how an unconventional career spanning opera, journalism, hydropower and defence led her into public affairs, why political instability rewards creativity and listening, and what Westminster can learn from Britain’s space sector.
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”
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”
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”
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)”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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
We need to talk about Kemi
In contrast to last year's Tory conference, Kemi Badenoch is coming out guns blazing, not the least when it comes to defence, says Flora Watkins
