Government Relations Executive Search is essential for organisations operating in complex regulatory, political, and policy-driven environments. With over 20 years of experience in headhunting, executive search, and strategic talent advisory, Hanson Search partners with businesses and institutions worldwide — including London, Paris, the UAE, and the US — to identify and secure top-tier government relations talent. We connect clients with professionals who bring the insight, networks, and strategic perspective needed to influence decision-making, manage stakeholder relationships, and protect both reputational and commercial interests.

Why Government Relations Talent Is Business Critical

In today’s fast-changing global landscape, government relations is no longer just about access — it’s about strategy, influence, and risk management. Whether you’re navigating new regulation, engaging policymakers, or building long-term trust with public stakeholders, the right leadership can drive measurable value.

We specialise in government relations recruitment that delivers results across industries and geographies.

Government Relations Roles We Recruit

Our Government Relations Executive Search team places mid-to-senior leadership roles including:

  • Head of Government Relations

  • Director of External Affairs

  • Vice President of Public Policy

  • Regulatory Affairs Director

  • Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager

  • Public Sector and Political Risk Advisor

We also support the structuring of in-house policy and advocacy teams to align with corporate strategy, ESG priorities, and geopolitical context.

Government Relations Executive Search by Sector

Our clients span a wide range of regulated and strategically sensitive sectors. We place GR professionals in:

  • Energy and Sustainability – from net-zero policy to ESG regulation

  • Healthcare and Life Sciences – managing access, innovation, and compliance

  • Financial Services and Fintech – influencing policy across markets

  • Technology and Telecoms – navigating data, privacy, and AI regulation

  • Infrastructure, Transport, and Mobility – building future-facing policy teams

  • Aerospace and Defence – working in high-stakes, secure-policy environments

Our recruiters understand the nuances of each sector and how government relations fits within broader business, legal, and reputational frameworks.

Our Global Government Relations Network

With teams working in  London, Europe, the UAE, and the US, we operate across key political centres — from Westminster and Washington to Brussels and Abu Dhabi. Our government relations executive search work extends to multinational corporations, sovereign entities, trade associations, consultancies, and NGOs.

Our candidate network is global, diverse, and actively engaged in policy, politics, and public affairs.

Why Choose Us for Government Relations Executive Search?

  • 20+ years of experience in senior-level GR, policy, and corporate affairs recruitment

  • In-depth knowledge of political structures and institutional dynamics across global markets

  • Strategic talent advisory including succession planning, team design, and market benchmarking

  • Proven success in hiring GR leaders for high-growth, high-risk, and heavily regulated environments

  • B Corp certified — committed to ethical, inclusive, and insight-led hiring processes

We’re not just recruiters — we’re partners in building your public positioning and influence infrastructure.

Ready to Start Your Government Relations Search?

If you’re hiring in government relations — whether for a new regional lead, a regulatory strategist, or a full stakeholder engagement team — we can help. Our government relations executive search service is designed to deliver leadership that aligns with your policy goals, stakeholder priorities, and organisational values.

Meet our team of specialist consultants to learn how we work, or explore our latest insights to stay informed on hiring trends, market shifts, and the evolving role of government affairs in business strategy.

Get in touch








    Introducing
    Our Experts

    With a network spanning the UK, Europe, USA, and the Middle East, our team of recruitment consultants are experts in sourcing the best talent globally. Contact us to find your next hire, from PR pros to digital marketing experts and beyond.

    • Global CEO, Regional Head of MENA

      Alice Weightman

      Alice Weightman: CEO, Global Executive Search Leader, and UAE Market Expert: Alice Weightman is the Founder and CEO of Hanson...
    • UK & Europe Managing Partner, Global Head of Public Affairs

      Janie Emmerson

      Janie Emmerson: Janie leads Hanson Search’s UK & European based teams. From the London office, she guides and supports their...
    • Principal consultant, Sales & Marketing

      Nils Gerardin

      Nils Gerardin: Nils Geradin is a seasoned executive search and recruitment consultant with nearly ten years of experience placing senior-level...
    • Managing Partner, MENA

      Felice Hurst

      Felice Hurst: With nearly twenty years of experience in search and recruitment, and a decade of experience working in MENA,...
    • Managing Partner, Global Head of Corporate Affairs

      Katie Simpson

      Katie Simpson: Having previously spent 10 years in communications, Katie brings real industry insights into the hiring process. Taking her...
    • Partner, Global Head of Healthcare & Communications

      Amy Hayer

      Amy Hayer: Amy brings over 15 years of experience in executive search, with a focus on healthcare communications and international...
    • Partner, European Head of Public Affairs and Communications

      Barbara Ozanon

      Barbara Ozanon: With over a decade of experience in recruitment, executive search, and headhunting, Barbara Ozanon leads Hanson Search’s European...
    • Managing Consultant, Public Affairs & Policy, UK & USA

      Peter Ferguson

      Peter Ferguson: As a Managing Consultant in the Public Affairs Practice, Peter advises and supports some of the world’s most...
    • PA to CEO & Business Support

      Sam White

      Sam White: Sam joined Hanson Search in 2016 as an internal recruiter, bringing prior experience as an independent headhunter. Today,...
    • Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion

      Robyn Field

      Robyn Field: As Associate Director of Operations & Inclusion, Robyn is responsible for all business and administrative operations at Hanson...
    • Senior Consultant, Head of Digital

      Daisy Hughes

      Daisy Hughes: Daisy brings nearly a decade of recruitment experience to her role at Hanson Search, where she leads the...
    • Consultant, MENA

      Lexi Smith-Muller

      Lexi Smith-Muller: Lexi has over 10 years’ experience of recruitment & talent acquisition, and over 6 years’ experience working in...
    • Principal Consultant, Communications & Marketing

      Helena Ranger

      Helena Ranger: Helena is the Principal Consultant leading the Consumer division across PR and Marketing. She plays a pivotal role...
    • Advisor

      Nicholas Watkins

      Nicholas Watkins: Nicholas has over 30 years of business leadership experience that combines successful careers in the media, leisure and...
    • Senior Consultant, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability

      Allyson Kurian

      Allyson Kurian: Allyson is a specialist in corporate affairs and sustainability communications, working at the mid-to-senior end of the market,...
    • Senior Consultant, Communications, Europe

      Camille Chevallier

      Camille Chevallier: Having started her career as a comms professional, Camille spent 20 years in senior roles within leading agencies...
    • Business Support

      Mirjana R.Dejanovska

      Mirjana Dejanovska: Mirjana is Talent Strategist & Customer Success Manager at our sister company, The Work Crowd. Mirjana joined Hanson...
    • Internal Recruitment & Operations Lead

      Katie Cubbon

      Katie Cubbon: Katie manages internal recruitment at Hanson Search, while also overseeing office management and business operations. With experience across...
    • Researcher

      Arlena Butt

      Arlena Butt: Arlena is a valued researcher at Hanson Search, supporting the team across Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, Health and...
    • Researcher

      Kristina Ugrin

      Kristina Ugrin: With more than 10 years’ experience in the UAE and Europe, in recruitment consultancy, event management and in-house...
    • Partner, Global Head of Sustainability

      Johnny Goldsmith

      Johnny Goldsmith: Johnny leads the global Sustainability & ESG practice at Hanson Search. He has over 8 years’ experience in...
    • Senior Consultant, Corporate & Financial Communications, UK & USA

      Rachel L’Estrange

      Rachel L’Estrange: After spending six years in Corporate PR and Marketing, Rachel made the move into recruiting for the industry...
    • Business Support

      Ivana Stevanovska

      Ivana Stevanovska: Ivana is Community and Marketing Executive at our sister company, The Work Crowd. As well as being highly...
    • Head of Interim Communications

      Ben Mitchell

      Ben Mitchell: Head of Interim Communications Ben is Head of Interim Communications and works across both Hanson Search and our...
    • Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment Services

      Madeleine Weightman

      Madeleine Weightman: Madeleine is Head of Interim Marketing and Management Recruitment and co-Founder of The Work Crowd, the sister company...

    Industry Interviews

    • Career

      Public Affairs

      Leadership Lessons with Stéphane Harrouch, Public Affairs Senior Partner at Portland Paris

      By Camille Chevallier
    • Career

      Public Affairs

      Leadership Lessons with Daniel Gilbert, Partner at Shearwater Global

      By Peter Ferguson
    • Career

      Public Affairs

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

      By Peter Ferguson
    • Career

      Digital

      Leadership Lessons with Adam Bewley, Head of Social at Eulogy

      By Daisy Hughes
    • Career

      Public Affairs

      Leadership Lessons with Jo Tanner, Senior Director at APCO Worldwide

      By Janie Emmerson
    • C-suite & Advisory

      Career

      Public Affairs

      Leadership Lessons with Joe Chapman, Group Head of Public Affairs at MAG (Manchester Airports Group)

      By Peter Ferguson