Welsh Water appoints head of public affairs

Mace | 7th July 2026 | Moves

Welsh Water said the creation of the head of public affairs role “signifies the importance of, and our commitment to, ensuring appropriate and timely engagement with elected representatives.”

Craig Lawton has joined Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water as head of public affairs, a newly created role, following three years as an associate director at Grasshopper Communications. He started last week and is part of the corporate affairs team led by Heulyn Gwyn Davies. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water said Lawton joins at a pivotal moment for the sector, with the recent Senedd election creating what it described as "a once-in-a-generation opportunity" to reshape water regulation and legislation in Wales. Before joining the company, Lawton spent three years as an associate director at Grasshopper Communications. Earlier, he was senior public affairs officer for Wales at the British Medical Association and served as a senior policy and communications adviser to the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd. He began his career as a legal adviser and insurance claims handler. Lawton will now be responsible for leading the water firm’s public affairs and political engagement activity. According to Welsh Water, he i...

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.



Home Office comms deputy rejoins the Cabinet Office

Mace | July 7, 2026

Alice Parker has nearly a decade of experience in government communications.

Checkmate DC’s bold London move

William Cash | June 5, 2026

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

Ex-Citypress public affairs lead joins law firm

Mace | May 19, 2026

Tom Anelay, who most recently led the public affairs practice at Citypress, has moved to an in-house role at one of the UK’s fastest-growing law firms.

H/Advisors Cicero hired to drive financial inclusion in parliament

Mace | May 19, 2026

H/Advisors Cicero has been briefed to increase support for financial inclusion, provide monitoring and intelligence.

Westminster Street Fight for the Labour crown

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | May 13, 2026

With Wes Streeting resigning and Angela Rayner now cleared by HMRC, all eyes are on Westminster's Game of Thrones-style battle for the Labour crown

Pagefield and WPI’s merger throws into question the boutique PA firm model

Mace | March 26, 2026

As the two firms face a merger, the question over the longevity of the boutique firm is put under the spotlight.

Reform UK adviser joins PLMR

Mace | March 6, 2026

Kirsty Walmsley's move to PLMR signals that Reform are being treated as a real political force, rather than an outside threat.

Ex-Global Counsel employees find a new home

Oliver Dean | March 6, 2026

Following Global Counsel's demise a few weeks ago, talent from the firm has already been picked up by a number of big name PA and communications agencies.

Green Party leader gets new communications advisor

Oliver Dean | February 17, 2026

Polanski's new communications advisor shows that the Green Party leader is serious about his public image.

Blakeney bolsters its team with new additions

Madeline Dabbah | February 13, 2026

Blakeney has welcomed former drinks company Oatly managing director Tim Knight and pro-Brexit MEP Lucy Harris, in an effort to strengthen their position, the public affairs and strategic