Career Summary:
Internships in Parliament and gaining valuable experience of how the day to day running of Westminster works. Briefly worked for the Third Sector and then used my Westminster knowledge to become a lobbyist for the CLA. At the CLA, I worked primarily in Westminster but some of my job involved supporting our Welsh office and being based in Cardiff a few days per month. At JBP I will work a wide range of clients providing political and communication analysis and advice.
Academic/Professional Qualifications:
Went to University but ended up spending my University days in Westminster, therefore not completing my degree.
How did you get into Public Affairs? (And what was your first job?)
Internship and assistant to Alan Keen MP, this was done after campaigning for his election as MP.
What did your role at the CLA entail on a day to day basis?
Political monitoring, preparing evidence for committees, meeting key stakeholders, engaging with membership and briefing MPs.
What skills and characteristics are most important in your job?
Marinating good relations with a huge variety of stakeholders, whether it is organizations that you work with or MP offices. A strong understanding of the Parliamentary process is vital.
Which campaign/issue are you most proud to have worked on?
CLA lobbying success on Village Green registration.
What do you enjoy about working in public affairs?
Engaging with stakeholders and putting a strong policy message across to the relevant stakeholders.
How does lobbying the National Assembly of Wales differ from Westminster?
Lobbying at the National Assembly of Wales is fertile lobbying ground and access is a lot easier. The Assembly isn’t polluted with lobbyists and it is easier to get your message across.
How important is political party involvement to a public affairs career?
I think political party involvement is useful but when working in the Public Affairs sector it is vital that you are subjective and can see policy angles from all sides of the spectrum.
What's your prediction for the next General Election result?
David Cameron will still be Prime minister.
| Quick-Fire Round | |
|---|---|
| Favourite restaurant for a business lunch | Blue Boar |
| LinkedIN or Twitter? | |
| What’s your Media diet? | Telegraph, Times, Guardian and Spectator |
| Favourite Film | Rushmore |
| Guilty pleasure | Country Music and… the Mail online |