The Mace Questionnaire: Marshall Manson, CEO, FleishmanHillard UK – “Politics is seeping into business through every crack” 

Mace Magazine | 12th August 2026 | Lobbying, Political Consultants, Westminster Index
Marshall Manson, CEO of FleishmannHillard UK
Marshall Manson, CEO of FleishmannHillard UK

The innovative digital comms veteran Marshall Manson, now CEO of FleishmanHillard UK, reveals how he misses The West Wing, was introduced to Westminster by Gyles Brandeth's political diaries and loves a serious lunch.

Marshall Manson oversees the global agency’s strategic direction, client growth and “talent development” across its UK operations. The American born corporate and govt affairs advisor, who began his career on the campaign trail in the US house elections of 1994, has been a pioneering innovator in digital comms and campaigning strategy for more than 25 years. He has also held senior roles at Brunswick, Ogilvy and Edelman. In 2015, he was included on Provoke Media’s Innovator 25 list. 

“Politics is seeping into business through every crack and crevice, reshaping the corporate landscape in unexpected ways” observed Marshall Manson when he wrote a prescient 2025 report on industry trends in his former role as Chair of Corporate Affairs, Digital & Insight for FleishmanHillard in the UK. 

“Companies can become political targets — sometimes intentionally singled out by politicians, at other times simply caught in the crossfire as collateral damage” he says. There is a “new pressure” on FTSE and corporate leaders to “speak up or speak out”. 

But taking a political stance in today’s ultra non-Mad Men workforce culture also has its risks. “No one will thank you for disagreeing, and in today’s polarised society, doing so can result in boycotts, reputational attacks, or sustained scrutiny. And once you’re under the spotlight, it can be difficult to find a way out.” Below, he faces The Mace

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: Michael Prescott, Managing Director, Hanover – “Listen, weigh, act” 

Mace | August 11, 2026

From political editor of The Sunday Times to bringing down two BBC chiefs, Michael Prescott reflects on his distinguished career as a journalist and now leading UK corporate

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Martin Turner, Director of Policy and External Affairs, BioIndustry Association, “Pensions reform is a major issue for us”

Mace | August 8, 2026

Turner’s work sits within the BioIndustry Association, the trade body representing the UK’s biotechnology and life sciences sector.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Konrad Shek, Public Policy & Regulation Director, Advertising Association, “I prefer strategy to performance, substance to theatre”

Mace | August 7, 2026

Konrad Shek discusses his proudest achievement of building the Advertising Association’s credibility and influence in media literacy policy.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Robert Forrester, Chief Executive, Vertu Motors plc, “Leaders need to cast a vision and hold people accountable”

Mace | August 6, 2026

Robert Forrester reflects on his achievement in helping to found a company 20 years ago that now generates £5bn in revenue and employs more than 7,500 people.

Leader in Public Affairs: David Sheen, Public Affairs Director, UKHospitality, “Take a risk, offer innovative solutions”

Mace | August 5, 2026

David Sheen pushes back against common perceptions about public affairs, but argues instead that it is about hard work, marshalling arguments, and building coalitions.

Leader in Public Affairs: Zak Viney, Campaigns and Public Affairs Coordinator, Living Streets, “Politics starts locally on the doorstep”

Mace | August 3, 2026

Living Streets’ Zak Viney speaks to The Mace about moving from engineering into advocacy, making the case for walkable streets across political divides and securing practical progress on

Leader in Public Affairs: Zara Harrington, Head of Public Affairs, Diageo – “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”

Mace | August 3, 2026

From navigating regulation and trade policy to aligning advocacy with commercial strategy, Diageo’s Zara Harington's career in public affairs has been about understanding how political decisions translate into

The Advocate: Lucy Gilchrist, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, PepsiCo UKI – “Advocacy enables better policymaking”

Mace | August 2, 2026

PepsiCo UKI’s Lucy Gilchrist does some of her best policy thinking on the running machine. She tells The Mace why public affairs must turn intelligence into action, how

The Strategist: Sonia Khan, senior partner H/Advisors – “Those of us who’ve spent a good amount of time in government understand how government operates”

William Cash | July 28, 2026

As one of Westminster's most effective public affairs strategists, Sonia Khan tells Mace how she bridges the gap between high-stakes politics and global corporate strategy.

Leader in Public UK Affairs: Beatrice Barleon, Head of Policy & Public Affairs, EngineeringUK, ‘Achieving change is team work, always’

Mace | July 28, 2026

With a career spanning sustainability, property and now EngineeringUK, Beatrice discusses her drive to work in policy areas that align with her principles.