Mark Glover, Chief Executive of Bellenden, has been confirmed, unopposed, as the new Chairman of the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) in the evening of Monday 23rd May.
For the past two years, Glover served as Deputy Chair under outgoing Chairman Iain Anderson. As he outlined his priorities for the next year at the APPC's AGM, Glover cited the importance of ensuring the APPC has a strong voice in all discussions with the Cabinet Office over the operation of the Statutory Lobbying Register and the need to explore ways to include APPC and wider public affairs industry body membership as a requirement on relevant public sector and private sector tenders.
Mark Glover said: “First of all I‘d like to pay tribute to Iain Anderson, for all his work over the last two years. Iain has been a tireless champion of the industry during what has unquestionably been one of the most challenging periods our industry has ever faced. Throughout the implementation of the Statutory Lobbying Register the APPC has consistently made a strong, powerful case for our industry’s voice to be heard and that is in large part thanks to Iain’s commitment and drive – the industry owes him a huge debt of gratitude.
“As we now move into the second year of the Statutory Register there remain ongoing challenges for our sector. High among these is the threat of future annual registration cost increases. Instead of bringing forward yet another rise in the registration fee, it’s vital that the Registrar and Cabinet Office prioritise full coverage of the register – ensuring all those who qualify for registration, join the Register.
“Of course, the APPC will continue to manage our own register and code of conduct and it’s vital that this continues to be a beacon of transparency for the public affairs industry. In fact the APPC has just launched our new website which includes a new, searchable register. For all subsequent registration quarters people will be able to search our register and fully interrogate our data.
“As the leading kitemark for best-practice in public affairs, I also plan to explore the ways that membership of the APPC can be included in the qualifying criteria for pubic and private sector tenders. Organisations looking for public affairs, lobbying or regulatory support need to be sure that they recruit agencies who comply with best-practice and operate to the highest ethical standards – exactly what APPC membership guarantees.”
“Finally, it’s also important that we continue to be active across the UK. We’re expecting the introduction of a statutory register in Holyrood later this year and there have been renewed calls for a Welsh lobbying register. So, we’ll be working with our colleagues around the UK to ensure that the voice of our members is heard in all the devolved administrations.”