Arden Strategies, the London-based, internationally renowned political and communications advisory firm has announced the hiring of a former senior Labour politician.
Holly Lynch, the former MP for Halifax, Labour’s Deputy Chief Whip and Shadow Security Minister has today joined Arden Strategies’ growing team. As a Senior Strategist, Holly will provide strategic insight to Arden’s corporate clients into the new government as well as focusing on defence, security, and technology policy.
Commenting on Holly’s appointment, Arden’s CEO the Rt Hon. Jim Murphy said: “I’m thrilled that Holly has joined Arden. She is a clear and strategic thinker who is highly respected by everyone in the Labour leadership. No one outside of Parliament knows more about Labour’s MPs than Holly and she will provide brilliant counsel to our clients.”
Holly Lynch added: “I always admired Arden’s work when I was in politics. Arden is renowned as a firm with momentum and creativity. I’m excited about getting started in helping to build new relationships between business and political leaders.”
Holly served as the MP for Halifax between 2015 and 2024 before deciding to stand down ahead of last week’s election. In the first year, she was elected she was appointed as an Opposition Whip in the Commons and was a member of the Environmental Audit and Procedure Committees.
She was the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fairtrade and a Co-Chair of the British Museum group and of the Population, Development and Reproductive Health group. Lynch has also been a member of All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Migration, Art and Health, Kashmir, Policing and Rugby Union.
In 2018, Lynch led the Protect the Protectors campaign to secure harsher sentences for people convicted of assaulting emergency service workers. In the House of Commons chamber, she spoke about the experience of her parents, both of whom were emergency service workers who had faced violence whilst on the job The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill became law in September 2018.
Holly had backed Keir Starmer in the leadership election in 2020 and was made the Shadow Minister for Immigration following his win, going on to serve as Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction and Courts.
In 2017 she was appointed to the role of Shadow Flooding & Coastal Communities Minister within the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs team.
In November 2021 Holly was made Shadow Minister for Security where she led the Labour Party's scrutiny of the National Security Bill before becoming Opposition Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Commons, with responsibility for legislation.