The UK Chamber of Shipping has appointed a new public affairs manager as it expands its external affairs team, hiring a former SEC Newgate accounts manager to lead engagement with policymakers, media and industry stakeholders. The appointment by the leading trade association for the UK shipping sector was confirmed in trade press reporting earlier this month. The new appointee is Harry Brown, who previously held account management responsibilities at corporate communications firm SEC Newgate, where he worked across political engagement and corporate counsel briefs. Brown’s recruitment forms part of the UK Chamber of Shipping’s effort to strengthen its presence in Westminster and Whitehall as policy pressures on the maritime sector intensify. Brown joins the Chamber’s external affairs function, which has been growing following the earlier appointment of a director of external affairs. The team covers digital communications, media relations, public affairs and campaigning on behalf of the shipping industry, reflecting a broader push to professionalise engagement with government and stakeholders. The UK Chamber of Shipping represents shipping companies operating in the UK across a range of activities, from international freight and ferry services to offshore energy and maritime services. The organisation acts as the collective voice of the sector, engaging with government on regulation, skills, safety and environmental policy. Public affairs is a central part of that remit, involving direct engagement with ministers, MPs, civil servants and regulators. The public affairs manager role is designed to coordinate parliamentary outreach, respond to policy developments and support the Chamber’s wider advocacy strategy on behalf of its members. Before moving into the trade association world, Brown built his career in consultancy, advising clients on political and stakeholder engagement from within SEC Newgate. His work there involved managing accounts and supporting campaigns for organisations navigating regulatory and reputational challenges, providing experience transferable to an in house advocacy role. SEC Newgate is a global corporate affairs consultancy with operations in the UK and overseas, offering services spanning public affairs, strategic communications and reputation management. It has been active in recruiting and developing staff with experience across politics, media and industry. Brown’s move from consultancy to trade association mirrors a broader trend within public affairs, with practitioners increasingly shifting from agency roles to in house positions where they can focus on a single sector and build long term policy relationships. The UK Chamber of Shipping has been active in recent months on a range of policy issues, including maritime decarbonisation, workforce shortages and the regulatory framework governing ports and shipping services. These areas continue to attract attention from ministers as the government seeks to balance economic growth with environmental and safety objectives. Shipping remains a critical component of the UK economy, responsible for moving the vast majority of the country’s imports and exports. The Chamber frequently highlights the sector’s contribution to jobs, investment and supply chain resilience in its engagement with policymakers. The expansion of the external affairs team to include a dedicated public affairs manager reflects the Chamber’s assessment that sustained engagement with government is essential as legislative and regulatory demands increase. It also signals a desire to ensure the shipping industry’s perspective is heard clearly in debates affecting trade and infrastructure. Brown will work closely with the Chamber’s leadership and existing communications staff to deliver that agenda, coordinating responses to consultations and representing the organisation in discussions with parliamentarians and officials. The appointment comes at a time when trade associations across the economy are investing more heavily in public affairs capability, responding to an increasingly complex policy environment and the growing importance of government relations in shaping outcomes for their sectors....