The Diary: Andrew Griffith MP

Mace | Issue 6 | Magazine, Westminster Index

From the Archive

Andrew Griffith, shadow chancellor
Andrew Griffith, shadow chancellor

The director of Number 10's Policy Unit tells us about his return to Downing Street

Prints of Policy Welcoming Baroness Kate Rock to my Downing Street office for a recent meeting, she had a déjà vu moment on seeing the art on the walls. The half-dozen or so prints have reportedly hung unchanged from when Camilla Cavendish was David Cameron’s director of the Policy Unit back in 2015. Kate recalls helping to choose the prints with Camilla, knowing artist Elisabeth Frink as her neighbour in Dorset. I observe there have been no fewer than four directors rotating through the office since then. If only pictures could talk!  Slindon – the home of cricket? To Slindon in my Arundel and South Downs constituency to join parish councillors and residents for the latest planting as part of the wonderful Queen’s Green Canopy project celebrating Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year.  Today’s takes place on the 70th day of 2022 to replicate the 70th anniversary of Her accession. Two English oak saplings from Arundel Arboretum are swiftly planted with a commemorative plaque installed, a...

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 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 8, 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.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Andy Brown, Marketing, Communications and Business Development Director, Arup, “Be open”

Mace | September 17, 2026

Andy talks about how career progression isn't just about salary but spending time doing work that you find meaningful

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

Mace | September 17, 2026

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

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 | September 16, 2026

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