“I tend to consider regulatory issues when I’m on the running machine,” says Lucy Gilchrist — and often, she adds, it’s where the solutions come too. As Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs at PepsiCo UKI, she works in a sector where regulation, public scrutiny and commercial priorities are constantly in motion.

Her approach to policy challenges is both pragmatic and energetic. She demonstrates a mindset that treats public affairs not as an abstract discipline but as a series of problems to be worked through and solved.

That focus on action is also what drew her to in-house public affairs. “Empowerment to cast decisions and take action rather than just advise,” she says, is the key appeal. In a global consumer business like PepsiCo, that means being closely involved in how the organisation responds to policy developments — not just analysing them from a distance.

Her career has included time at the centre of political life, and she points to one experience in particular as formative. “Working at the heart of a general election campaign” was, she says, a critical moment. It provided a front-row view of how political decisions are shaped under pressure — and how quickly the policy environment can change.

“Only pursue a political career if it’s the most important thing in your life”

That experience informs her view of public affairs today, particularly the importance of clear, strategic thinking. She is direct about what she expects from external partners. “Don’t just reiterate what’s already freely available,” she says. “Tell me what developments mean for my business and our goals — and what our strategic approach should be on the back of it.”

Like many in the profession, she is also thinking carefully about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the industry. “Learning through doing is critical in the early stages of your career,” she says, expressing concern that over-reliance on AI could affect how future talent develops. At the same time, she recognises its potential benefits. “You could also argue that it aids critical thinking.”

Her broader view of public affairs is grounded in a belief that the profession plays an important and often misunderstood role. “Advocacy is a totally legitimate practice and typically enables better policymaking with fewer unintended consequences,” she says, pushing back against the idea that public affairs is purely about influence rather than contribution.

“I tend to consider regulatory issues when I’m on the running machine”

Her early inspirations also reflect a strong sense of leadership and public service. “When I was growing up there were two strong female leaders in the UK,” she says. “That inspired me.” Those influences are still visible in her approach today, combining decisiveness with a clear sense of purpose.

Outside the day-to-day demands of policy and government engagement, she looks for ways to switch off and reset — whether that’s running, thinking through policy challenges in motion, or simply taking time away from the pace of Westminster and corporate life.

She has also considered politics herself. “Yes and I was on the candidates list,” she says, although she ultimately chose not to pursue it. Her advice to others is clear: “Only pursue a political career if it’s the most important thing in your life.”

Her career reflects the evolving nature of public affairs: faster-paced, more embedded within organisations and increasingly expected to deliver not just insight, but action. At PepsiCo, that means helping the business navigate a complex policy landscape while ensuring that decisions made in government are understood — and responded to — in real time.

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Quick-fire Q&A

What’s the appeal of in-house advocacy?
“Empowerment to cast decisions and take action rather than just advise.”

Where do you do your best thinking?
“I tend to consider regulatory/policy issues when I’m on the running machine.”

Best career experience?
“Working at the heart of a general election campaign.”

View on AI in public affairs?
“I’ve found AI to be helpful in fleshing out positions when reviewing policy measures so it does aid critical thinking.  That said, I do think learning through doing is critical in the early stages of one’s career, so I hope the advent of AI doesn’t detract from that”

Advice for agencies?
“Don’t just reiterate what’s already freely available… tell me what developments mean for my business and our goals.”

What do people get wrong about public affairs?
“Advocacy is a totally legitimate practice and typically enables better policymaking with fewer unintended consequences.”

Ever considered politics?
“Yes… but only pursue a political career if it’s the most important thing in your life.”

Favourite TV show?
“The Diplomat.”