On Thursday 15 May, Hanson Search and Hawthorn Advisors sponsored a Women in Public Affairs senior leaders’ lunch with Vidhya Alakeson, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister. The event discussed the evolving political landscape across the UK, and was expertly chaired by Ella Fallows, Co-Founder of Women in Public Affairs and Chair of its Senior Advisory Board. The event brought together senior women from across the public affairs and strategic communications sectors to discuss the evolving UK political landscape and how business and government can collaborate effectively to deliver long-term growth. Our Global Public Affairs lead Janie Emmerson attended the lunch, and key topics and key political developments and priorities ahead were discussed.
Public affairs professionals play a vital role in bridging the gap between business and government. Their ability to translate commercial goals into language that resonates with government priorities is essential. As businesses adapt to political shifts, these professionals and the soft skills they bring need to be prioritised in the workplace.
Government-business engagement is changing and there is a growing need to re-establish more collaborative engagement. Incentives like the Government’s Mission Champions offer a framework for more informed engagement between policymakers and industry leaders. These opportunities should be actively used to build collaborative partnerships on policy issues which impact UK businesses.
Our political institutions and public affairs industries must better reflect the diversity of our country. There is a clear need to increase representation from ethnic minority backgrounds across all levels of the political system. Everyone can play a role in driving this change whether by championing inclusive hiring practices, mentoring diverse talent, or challenging barriers to entry within organisations and networks.
Senior women in public affairs often face additional pressures to take on informal, ‘caring’ responsibilities within the workplace. Setting boundaries, challenging bias and actively calling out inequalities are crucial steps toward supporting the next generation of female leaders in public affairs and communications.
With elections due in Scotland, Wales and local councils, 2026 will be a pivotal year in UK politics. Both businesses and public affairs professionals must begin preparing now to engage effectively with policymakers and adapt to a changing political agenda.
At Hanson Search, we are proud to support initiatives that promote diversity, leadership and meaningful engagement across the public affairs sector. As a trusted partner in public affairs recruitment, we specialise in building high-performing teams that drive impact and influence across government and business.
Whether you’re hiring top Public Affairs talent or considering your next career move, our team would be delighted to support you.
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