The Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) has elected Paul Bristow as its new Chair at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on Monday 19th June.
Bristow, founder and Managing Director of PB Consulting, takes over from Newington Chief Executive Mark Glover. Commenting on his new position, Bristow said: "I'm humbled to take on this role. One of the first things I did after I set up my agency was to join APPC because I recognised the vital role the organisation plays in driving up transparency and high ethical standards across the industry. It's an honour to take on this position and I'm fortunate to be supported by an exceptionally talented and experienced Management Committee."
Mark Glover added: "Paul will continue to protect and promote the Code of Conduct of the APPC, which is the industry gold standard, and I believe the organisation is in good hands for the next twelve months. The management team remains strong and the membership vibrant and focused on protecting the image and practice of public affairs in the UK."
The new Chair set out a number of priorities for the next 12 months: “We need to maintain our effective relationship with ORCL to ensure the Statutory Register does not extend its brief beyond the legislative parameters and to ensure that everyone who acts as a professional third party lobbyist signs up to the Statutory Register, be they lawyers, management consultancies or think tanks.
“The APPC must challenge itself to ensure we do not rest on our laurels, and that we evolve over the next 12 months, responding the changing regulatory environment that we face. At the same time we must protect those elements of APPC that make us distinctive, which our members value and which enhance the reputation of our industry including our code of conduct.”