Leadership Lessons with Fraser Raleigh, Managing Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations at SEC Newgate

Peter Ferguson, Managing Consultant at Hanson Search, sat down with Fraser Raleigh, Managing Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations at SEC Newgate, to discuss what it means to lead in public affairs today. With a career spanning Parliament, ministerial advisory roles and consultancy leadership, Fraser shares his views on navigating uncertainty, building influence at board level and how the industry is evolving in response to shifting political expectations and technological change.

How did you get into public affairs and politics?

It was a case of timing and a bit of persistence. I hadn’t been particularly politically active at university, but I’d always followed politics. Just after the 2010 general election I joined Parliament as a researcher for a Conservative MP. This was the first change in government in 13 years and the first coalition in decades. At that time there was a real sense of momentum and change in Westminster, and I knew I wanted to be part of it even though it took a lot of job applications to eventually get there.

I went on to serve as a special adviser when Theresa May became Prime Minister, working across the Leader of the House of Commons, the Ministry of Justice and the Cabinet Office, where I could see how decisions are made at the highest levels and how they are influenced in a pressured environment where politics and media are acting together. Public affairs felt like the natural next step from that, where I could help clients understand how politics works, while also supporting political stakeholders to really understand business priorities and economic pressures.

What qualities do you think are essential for public affairs leaders today?

The ability to embrace uncertainty is critical. The speed and scale of change whether political, regulatory or societal, means that the idea of things “returning to normal” doesn’t really apply anymore. Leaders need to be comfortable working in uncertain environments and thinking well ahead of the curve. One of the most important qualities is the ability to challenge assumptions. Change isn’t always straightforward, and leadership means helping both teams and clients anticipate what might come next. That requires a flexible mindset and an ability to align with senior decision-makers as they plan for risk and opportunity.

What are the key challenges you’re facing in your role right now?

Striking the right balance between the urgent and the important is a constant challenge. In an environment that’s always evolving it can be easy to get caught in a reactive mode. But the real value comes from making time to plan for emerging issues. Another key focus is team leadership. Supporting individuals to do their best work and enjoy what they do is hugely important. That means hiring well, investing in development and recognising that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone has different ways of working and part of my role is to make sure those differences are respected and nurtured.

How important is public affairs representation at board level?

It’s becoming more important than ever. Businesses are recognising that regulatory and political risk can shift business outcomes dramatically, or present opportunities if approached strategically. Public affairs needs to be treated as mission critical and built into corporate planning, not just as a reactive or compliance function. At the same time, building genuine relationships with decision-makers can’t be done overnight. Gaining trust and insight takes time and starting from scratch in a crisis makes things harder. I’ve seen how proactive investment in political engagement pays off when circumstances shift. In today’s climate, waiting until the issue arises is a risky strategy.

How do you see the public affairs market evolving over the next five years?

I think we’ll see continued integration across disciplines with public affairs professionals being expected to understand the client’s entire risk and opportunity landscape, not just the political angle. That will mean anticipating and really engaging with the triggers and trends that affect them and how we can advise them. We’ll work even more closely with colleagues in communications, digital, research, and crisis to act as corporate affairs advisers as much as public affairs.

We’re also in a more complex political environment and public expectations of government have shifted dramatically. With the speed of political response during the pandemic, people now expect government to act quickly and decisively on the big issues, energy and climate, cost of living, housing and health. That changes the demands placed on policymakers and those engaging with them. Public affairs teams will need to reflect that complexity in how they operate and be more integrated, more data-informed and more attuned to shifting voter sentiment.

What advice would you give someone starting out in public affairs?

Build relationships and stay curious. The word ‘networking’ can feel transactional, especially early in your career, but it’s about building genuine connections over time. Being open to conversations, saying yes to opportunities and learning from people across the industry pays dividends, often in unexpected ways. It’s tempting to try to set out a structured career path, but careers in this space often evolve in unpredictable ways that are outside your control. Focus on being open to new experiences, deepening your understanding of the political and business environment and working well with people. If you do that, the rest tends to follow.

Whether you’re hiring top Public Affairs talent or considering your next career move, our team would be delighted to support you.

Peter Ferguson is Managing Consultant in the public affairs Practice, supporting some of the world’s most renowned communications consultancies, boutique public affairs agencies and global in-house clients.

Hanson Search is a globally recognised, award-winning talent advisory and headhunting consultancy. Our expertise lies in building successful ventures worldwide through our recruitment, interim and executive search in communications, sustainability, public affairs and policy, digital marketing and sales.