Twenty-five years.
One consistent offer: judgement.
Seventeen years as a Labour Regional Director — first in the South West, then as Director for Yorkshire and the Humber — gave me an unusually deep understanding of how political decisions are actually made. I worked across government at every level: Westminster, the devolved institutions, combined authorities and Metro Mayors. That operational experience is rare in the advisory market and forms the foundation of everything I do.
After my time as Regional Director I served in senior roles at Labour's General Secretary's Office, working across national strategy, party governance and operations. I subsequently joined Hawthorn, one of the UK's leading strategic advisory firms, before co-founding Red Rose Associates.
My advisory work spans the UK and internationally. I have advised clients across North America, Europe and Asia on UK political risk and regulatory strategy, and work with a number of international businesses whose UK interests require sustained, senior engagement with government.
I am a partner at Red Rose Associates and a senior adviser at Atticus Partners, working across energy, transport, financial services, digital assets, gaming, defence, space and AI.
Senior advisory services
All engagements are senior-led, confidential and built around the client's specific challenge.
Strategic Political Counsel
Direct, senior advice to boards and leadership teams on political risk, government relations and strategic positioning — in the UK and for international organisations operating in British markets. Confidential and candid: distinguishing what matters from what does not.
UK Political Risk & Intelligence
A trusted source of political intelligence for international businesses, investors and funds who need to understand what is happening in British politics, what it means for their interests and how to respond. I work regularly with clients in North America, Europe and Asia for whom UK political risk is a material consideration.
Westminster & Government Engagement
Purposeful engagement with ministers, shadow ministers, officials and parliamentarians. Engagement is always part of a wider strategy. I help clients build the right access and use it effectively — not simply accumulate meetings. Particularly valuable for international organisations entering or expanding in the UK market.
Regional & Devolved Strategy
Deep expertise in navigating the UK's devolved institutions and Metro Mayoral combined authorities. Seventeen years as a Regional Director gives me a practical understanding of how decisions are actually made outside Westminster — essential for any organisation with significant UK regional interests.
Reputation & Crisis Communications
Strategic communications advice in politically sensitive environments — including regulatory scrutiny, litigation, parliamentary inquiry and reputational crisis. I have particular experience advising international clients on how to navigate British media, political and regulatory pressure simultaneously.
Regulatory Strategy & Market Entry
Helping international organisations understand and navigate the UK regulatory environment as they enter or expand in British markets. From financial services authorisation to sector-specific licensing, I help clients anticipate regulatory risk, build credibility with decision-makers and develop a strategy that works.
Where I work
I advise organisations for which politics and public policy directly affect commercial or operational outcomes.
Energy & Utilities
Infrastructure & Transport
Financial Services & Payments
Digital Assets & Fintech
Technology & AI
Defence & Space
Gaming & Media
Legal & Group Litigation
Housing & Built Environment
Health & Life Sciences
Education & Skills
Sport & Sports Regulation
How I work
Every engagement is senior-led and confidential. I work in three formats depending on the nature of the challenge.
Retained counsel
Ongoing senior advice to boards and leadership teams navigating political or regulatory change. I provide regular intelligence, strategic input and direct access to my network — available when you need it, at the level your challenge demands.
Strategic projects
Defined assignments covering market entry, political positioning, stakeholder strategy or regulatory reform. A clear scope, a senior lead and a deliverable — whether that is an engagement strategy, a policy position or an intelligence assessment.
Critical situations
Discreet advice during reputational, parliamentary, regulatory or political pressure. When the stakes are high and time is short, I provide immediate senior counsel — helping organisations understand what is happening, what it means and what to do about it.
Delivering outcomes
A selection of recent mandates. All work is confidential, and the examples are illustrative.
Ministerial access secured for global payments firm
A global payments organisation needed to influence UK regulatory reform but lacked credible government access. Working with the leadership team, I developed a targeted ministerial engagement strategy, identified the key decision-makers and built a programme of direct engagement at the highest levels of government.
Outcome: sustained access at Secretary of State level established; client's position reflected in senior policy discussions.
Regulatory credibility built during critical legislative window
A major international digital assets firm needed to establish credibility with UK policymakers during a defining period of legislative development. I developed a credible policy position, facilitated substantive dialogue with ministers and officials, and positioned the client as a responsible actor in the regulatory debate.
Outcome: client recognised as a constructive voice in the UK regulatory process; direct ministerial relationships established.
Parliamentary risk managed and momentum protected
A major infrastructure client faced organised parliamentary scrutiny and stakeholder opposition that threatened to derail political momentum. I developed a coordinated engagement strategy spanning Westminster, regional authorities and media — building cross-party support and managing opposition proactively before it escalated.
Outcome: parliamentary position protected; cross-party support secured; project momentum maintained through a sustained period of pressure.
Political pressure sustained for high-profile group litigation
A high-profile group litigation required sustained political and public pressure to support accountability. I developed a parliamentary engagement and strategic communications programme, briefing MPs and peers across party lines and securing cross-party interest in the issue at the highest levels of Parliament.
Outcome: cross-party parliamentary scrutiny established; public and political pressure maintained throughout the legal process.
Constructive government relationship established during reform
A leading gaming organisation faced major regulatory reform and needed to be seen as a constructive partner rather than an obstacle. I developed an evidence-based policy position and facilitated high-level engagement with ministers and officials, shifting the dynamic from reactive to proactive.
Outcome: client repositioned as a credible and engaged stakeholder; substantive dialogue with ministers established ahead of legislation.
Cross-party parliamentary support built for Space4Labour initiative
A significant initiative at the intersection of space policy, regional economic development and national defence required a political strategy to build credibility at Westminster. I led parliamentary engagement across party lines, building direct relationships with ministers, shadow ministers and key backbenchers.
Outcome: cross-party parliamentary support secured; direct ministerial engagement established; initiative gained significant political momentum.
Facing a political, regulatory or reputational challenge?
I provide confidential, senior advice to organisations navigating complex political and regulatory environments. Contact me to arrange an initial conversation.