Connect Communications has announced that Andy Sawford has been appointed as the organisation’s new Chief Executive. He has replaced founder Gill Morris who has now taken on the role of Executive Chairman.
Sawford was Member of Parliament for Corby from a by-election in November 2012 until the general election and was Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government between 2013 and 2015. He served on the CLG Select Committee and was active in a range of All Party Groups, where he maintained his strong reputation for cross-party working.
The former Labour MP previously worked as Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) think tank and as Director at Connect from 2004 to 2008. Sawford is now back at Connect in a leading role to support the expansion of the agency and he will work closely with Morris. Sawford is part of the new executive team with Directors Sarah King and Laura Blake who will carry on leading the company's day-to-day operations.
Morris said Sawford had been one of her best hires in the past and she was keen to reform a winning partnership. She commented: "Andy brings to Connect a wealth of experience and a great track record. We are all very excited about working with him again. He will really strengthen our team and help me take Connect forward to bigger and better things. We have a top team at Connect with unrivalled experience and vision. Connect already has a proud and award winning reputation in delivering high level public affairs strategies and communications for clients. Andy's return to Connect makes us a force to be reckoned with as we expand beyond Westminster to the north of England where Connect already has clients and a strong reputation".
Andy Sawford said: "I have kept in close touch with Gill, Sarah, Laura and the team throughout my time in the thinktank world and more recently in Parliament and I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to return to work with them as CEO. Connect is a great company, in my view it is the best in the business and is primed for even greater success and growth in the years ahead".