Profiles
NEIL O'BRIEN: The think-tank boss with the 'best job in the world'
As he approaches two years at Policy Exchange, the think-tank’s director Neil O’Brien tells Ian Hall about his career and the ‘very transparent’ Con-Lib government
ELIZABETH FRANCE: UKPAC’s first chair aims to ‘let the sunlight in’
Elizabeth France CBE tells Ian Hall how her appointment as the first chairman of the new UK Public Affairs Council (UKPAC) came about – and her plans for the nascent body
HELEN JOHNSON: Meet the pharma lobbyist taking charge of the APPC
The Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) has just named pharmaceutical-sector specialist Helen Johnson as its new chairman. Adam Hill meets her the morning after her unopposed election to the role
MAROS SEFCOVIC: Slovakia’s Sefcovic takes responsibility for lobbyists
As the new European Commissioner for inter-institutional relations and administration, Maros Sefcovic’s brief includes lobbying transparency. Ian Hall races to Brussels to grab an early interview
SIR PHILIP MAWER: Mawer the mandarin: here to steer the birth of UKPAC
In a rare interview Sir Philip Mawer tells Ian Hall that lobbyists are “fooling themelves” if they expect a respite in politicians’ scrutiny of the industry
WILL LAMBE: Lambe gees up strategy for horseracing’s future
British horseracing hopes to banish factionalism as a new lobbying group seeks to speak with one voice. Adam Hill meets Will Lambe, the man who must make it work
PAUL MOORE: First's Moore rams home public transport message
Paul Moore spent almost nine years working for Sir Richard Branson at Virgin Atlantic. Nowadays running public affairs and comms for FirstGroup, he tells Adam Hill what is on the Aberdeen-based bus and train giant’s public affairs agenda
TIM COLLINS: Cameron's old pal bounces back with Bingle and BPPA
Four-and-a-half years after losing his parliamentary seat, Tim Collins has made a surprise return to the political scene at Bell Pottinger Public Affairs. Ian Hall meets him
ALASDAIR McGOWAN: The eBay evangelist takes brands battle to Brussels
Alasdair McGowan, eBay UK’s head of public affairs, tells Sam Macrory what he learned in his years at Number 10 – and why his company has sent a petition with 750,000 signatures to European policymakers
ROBERT SIDDALL: The airports man who wants the Tories to think again
Airport Operators’ Association chief executive Robert Siddall tells Adam Hill why Heathrow needs to expand, what is wrong with Air Passenger Duty, and why he wants the Conservatives to “look again” at their aviation policies
