Whitehouse Communications, an independent political communications agency based in London and Brussels, has appointed international food and sustainability expert Andrea Gutierrez-Solana, and food and financial affairs specialist Laura Contin as Directors.
Both Directors have been promoted from within, bringing a wealth of experience in EU and UK policy and campaigns.
Andrea Gutierrez-Solana advises clients, including brands, manufacturers, and trade associations, on the EU and UK policies and regulations that impact them, from food reformulation strategies to packaging, greenwashing, and ESG requirements. She has established herself as a regular commentator on food and sustainability policy, writing extensively for food sector press, including Food Manufacture and NutraIngredients, and speaking at global conferences such as Vitafoods Europe, Food Ingredients Europe and the Better Hospitality Conference.
Before joining Whitehouse Andrea worked for a Brussels law firm specialised in trade and agri-food regulatory matters and in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade, where she worked on market access files.
Laura Contin is a former Associate Director for European Affairs at Whitehouse, where she advises businesses on how to navigate EU and UK policy-making processes and influence policy to achieve meaningful change in a variety of sectors, including consumer, financial services and tech. Laura’s background includes providing Public Affairs trainings for a variety of organisations, including in technical sectors such as aerosols and chemical policies, and to UK companies who want to continue influencing the EU.
Prior to joining Whitehouse, Laura worked in Brussels at a public affairs agency and two trade associations. Her experience includes the management and running of trade bodies in specialist and highly regulated sectors and devising public affairs and communications strategies for SMEs and big corporate organisations.
Andrea will lead the food and public health practice, leaning on her policy and regulatory expertise to advise clients on food regulations, nutrition and sustainability. Whitehouse’s food practice is one of the most prolific in Europe, with clients including food and technology manufacturer Ajinomoto, and the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Association (ESSNA).
Laura will lead the European side of the business, strengthening Whitehouse’s presence and outreach in Brussels, keeping abreast of EU legislation for their priority sectors, including financial services and sustainability.
Whitehouse’s EU affairs client base continues to expand, with major accounts including digital bank Monzo, the European trade association representing sports nutrition, ESSNA, the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC) and the European trade body for slimming foods, TDMR Europe.
Chris Whitehouse, Chairman and founder said: ‘With the winds of change blowing across the European Union and beyond, I am delighted that we have appointed two exceptionally talented and experienced Directors to steer our clients through an ever-changing regulatory landscape.’