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
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.
A lawyer who traded M&A briefs for boardroom strategy, Andreas Bohrer has spent a decade quietly expanding his remit at one of pharma's most critical manufacturers. When the
Flint Global CEO James Purnell's expected appointment as Andy Burnham's chief of staff is just the latest Westminster merry-go-round job move from Public Affairs back into Downing Street.
Tristan Breijer is the new London head of Checkmate Government Relations. The move into London gives the US lobby firm its first European base, bringing its global power-broking
CIPR chief executive Alastair McCapra explains why lobbying needs stronger regulation, higher professional standards and the human judgement that technology cannot replace.
Despite the new 5% VAT tax break for holiday attractions, tourism trade body leaders are speaking out about how government policies may not help the sector.
The former deputy prime minister and foreign secretary will be advising Kreab global clients on defence and intelligence-related issues, as well as international geopolitics and Westminster issues.
After leaving Linklaters, Jessica joined the Conservative Party’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change team in 2008 just as energy security and climate policy were rising rapidly up the