With over fifteen years experience in public affairs and politics, John has advised a number of leading companies and organisations on their public affairs and communications strategies. John launched Insight in 2006, having gained extensive experience running UK and international strategic communications programmes.
His clients include Circle Anglia, Lloydspharmacy, sanofi-aventis and Skills for Care and he continues to provide pro bono support to several charities. John has established many campaigning coalitions and has a track record of developing public policy initiatives that have informed and shaped Government policy.
A former parliamentary candidate, following the 1997 election John spent two years working in Parliament before moving into consultancy. John is a regular commentator on issues relating to politics and public policy, and was recognised by Total Politics magazine as one of the UK's leading lobbyists.
+44 (0) 20 7824 1865
john@insightpa.com
James has nearly a decade of experience in consultancy and in-house roles, and has advised some of the UK's largest companies and organisations. He co-founded Insight in early 2006, and has spearheaded a series of client programmes and campaigns for sanofi-aventis, Amgen and the social enterprise Apnee Sehat. James advised the National Literacy Trust throughout the National Year of Reading, and most recently directed a high profile Cross-Party campaign to reduce deaths in hospital from thrombosis, now a major policy priority in the NHS.
As Public Affairs Manager at the British Retail Consortium, he secured numerous public policy changes in both the UK and Europe. He has a particular knowledge of London Governance having run the London Retail Consortium.
James was recognised for his achievements in the communications industry at the 2009 PRCA Awards as finalist for Consultant of the Year.
+44 (0) 20 7824 1861
james@insightpa.com
Chris has over eight years experience of public affairs consultancy experience. He has advised clients in a number of policy areas, including retail, food and technology, with a specialism in health. He has worked with leading companies across these sectors, as well as trade bodies, regulators, professional groups, and charities, whilst his healthcare work has required extensive engagement with patient associations, healthcare professionals and NHS audiences.
Chris has designed and executed public affairs campaigns that successfully engaged policy makers and influencers in Westminster, Whitehall and beyond, and he has worked on several pan-European and international public affairs programmes.
+44 (0) 20 7824 1864
chris@insightpa.com
Olly was Deputy Press Secretary to Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP from 2004 to 2006, a role in which he briefed the parliamentary lobby, managed relationships with national broadcast journalists and handled the regional political media. He was involved in the organisation of Charles Kennedy's set-piece addresses during the 2005 election.
Prior to joining Insight, Olly worked as a freelance journalist, with articles published in the Times and Evening Standard. He writes regularly for the Guardian Unlimited, appears as a political commentator on ITV and Radio Four and is an approved parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats. In 2008, Olly was celebrated as one of PR Week's 29 under 29 rising stars.
+44 (0) 20 7824 1866
olly@insightpa.com
Jim started in public affairs in early 1997 joining a trade association in the food sector as a policy adviser. His role focused on trade policy and employment affairs both on a domestic and European level. In 1999 he took the opportunity to pursue postgraduate study before joining the Advertising Association in January 2001.
His nine years at the industry body involved leading on policy development across automotive, gambling, financial services, pharmaceuticals, intellectual property (particularly around major sporting events), consumer protection and the Better Regulation Agenda for a client base covering advertisers, their agencies and media owners, and representing their interests to Westminster, Whitehall, Brussels and the devolved administrations. He was involved in the establishment of PubAffairs and is Vice-Chair of the Debating Group - the Parliamentary forum for marketing debate - a position to which he was elected in 2004. +44 (0) 20 7824 1853
jim@insightpa.com
Prior to joining Insight, Dave was Director of Communications at BEUC, the European Consumers' Organisation, where he was responsible for media relations, stakeholder management, corporate communications and strategies for the European Commission and European Parliament. Dave was also BEUC's media spokesperson and was often seen and heard defending consumers' interests on many of Europe's top broadcast media outlets such as the BBC, France 2, Radio France Internationale, ARD and ZDF, Euronews and Bloomberg.
Dave also served as Head of Media for the UK Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, media officer for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), and research assistant to Paul Burstow MP. He was a political adviser to the national Liberal Democrat party, where he worked on the 2005 General Election campaign and several by-elections. +44 (0) 20 7824 1850
dave@insightpa.com
Louise has six years experience working in the public sector, Parliament and public affairs. She began her career at the Healthcare Commission with the private and voluntary health team during the organisation's formative years in 2003. After graduating from her Masters degree in European Politics, Louise worked in Parliament for David Amess MP during his time on the Health Select Committee. She also coordinated the work of All Party Groups that David Chairs and ran local campaigns in the constituency.
As a public affairs consultant, Louise has devised and executed targeted communications strategies for a range of high-profile clients. Louise's particular areas of expertise are in healthcare and local government policy. She has considerable experience of building disease awareness campaigns, advising on the NICE Health Technology Appraisal process and managing health education events in a number of clinical areas.
+44 (0) 20 7824 1868
louise@insightpa.com
Caroline spent two years working for John Maples MP, Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party. During her time in Westminster, Caroline produced briefing material on numerous policy areas and managed media relations.
Before joining Insight, Caroline worked in a policy team at the Department for Children, Schools and Families. During this time Caroline was a member of the Joint Social Work Unit, supporting the Social Work Task Force which was set up by the Secretaries of State for Health and Children, Schools and Families to conduct a 'nuts and bolts' review of the social work profession following the 'Baby P' scandal. In this position, Caroline researched and developed policy proposals and advised on the shape and content of a comprehensive reform programme for social work. +44 (0) 20 7824 1860
caroline@insightpa.com
Daniel spent two years as a Policy and Public Affairs Executive at global pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme. He supported the Government Relations team by producing briefing materials and speeches for senior management and developed his expertise in health policy and Health Technology Appraisal processes.
He completed his undergraduate studies in Russian and Politics at Edinburgh University before teaching for the British Council in Russia. He also has an MA in Russian Studies from UCL.
+44 (0) 20 7824 1857
daniel@insightpa.com
Stephanie has spent three years working in Parliament as a researcher to several Conservative Shadow Ministers. In 2007, she supported Rt Hon Bernard Jenkin MP during the Trident debate and in his role on the Defence Select Committee. Also during her time in Westminster, she worked for Rob Wilson MP as a member of the Education and Skills Select Committee and as Shadow Higher Education Minister. Prior to joining Insight, Stephanie was the Parliamentary Assistant to Stewart Jackson MP. She aided in his duties as Opposition Whip and later as Shadow Minister for Regeneration, Fire and Flooding. This included in-depth research and analysis that helped formulate the Conservative Regeneration Green Paper. She also served as Secretary to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pakistan.
Stephanie completed her undergraduate studies in History at Royal Holloway, University of London and also has an Msc in Government, Policy and Politics from Birkbeck College.
+44 (0) 20 7824 1856
Stephanie@insightpa.com
Sarah's cross-party career in politics began in Texas, as an aid to Governor Rick Perry (R) and a member of the Texas House of Representatives (D). In 2007, she supported Cathy Jamieson MSP (then Justice Minister) in Holyrood and contributed to her successful re-election campaign. Sarah has also produced influential public policy seminars in Westminster in areas ranging from health to the food and the drinks industry.
Before joining Insight, she was an influential member of the public affairs team for the professional and representative optical bodies, including the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, the Association of Optometrists, and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians. Sarah completed her BA in Political Science from St. Edwards University in Texas and also holds an MSc from Edinburgh University in European and Comparative Public Policy. +44 (0) 20 7824 1862
Sarah@insightpa.com
Poonam spent two years as a researcher to Baroness Verma, Conservative spokesperson for children, schools and families. She supported the party's education and skills policy research and development, produced briefing material and composed speeches. She developed an interest in health issues working on Baroness Verma's earlier portfolio as opposition spokesperson for health, and spent three months at the Social Enterprise Coalition working on health sector reforms.
She holds a MSc degree in public policy from UCL and a BA in law from the University of Oxford, and has published research into the role of the UK's judiciary in the policy process. +44 (0) 20 7824 1867
poonam@insightpa.com
Katie holds an MSc in Politics and Communication from the London School of Economics, a First Class BA in International History and Politics from the University of Leeds, and academic prizes for contribution to the field of international relations and political research. Katie has specialised in international broadcast media, campaign strategy and social media. Whilst studying at LSE Katie worked as a Research Assistant for the journalism think-tank POLIS working on third sector engagement with indigenous media. Before joining Insight Katie worked for the Hansard Society and was responsible for facilitating their Westminster events agenda. She developed a keen interest in event management ranging from large scale receptions to bespoke political briefings. She also worked on the charity's online engagement and communication strategy.
+44 (0) 20 7824 1859
katie@insightpa.com