The Public Affairs in Practice Podcast

How recruiters assess talent in UK public affairs – insights from leading recruiters In this special episode of Public Affairs in Practice, I speak to five leading recruiters in UK public affairs about what employers really look for when hiring. When delivering public affairs training, I’m often asked how to build a career in public affairs, how to stand out to employers, and what skills matter most at different stages. To answer those questions, I asked experienced recruiters to share their perspectives from the front line of hiring. We discuss: What public affairs employers value most Common mistakes candidates make How career paths in public affairs are changing Advice for those entering or progressing in the profession A huge thank you to everyone who contributed their insight: Adam Pritchard, Door 10 Alec Zetter, Vox Partners Janie Emmerson, Hanson Search Rohan Shah, Reuben Sinclair Ross Picton, Taylor Birchwood You can learn more about my public affairs training, consultancy and mentoring work at @CWE Communications Thanks, as ever, to my editor, Callums World. If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, please follow the show or leave a review — it really helps others working in public affairs discover the podcast.

In an interview episode, I talk to Marg Joiner, an independent government relations consultant from New Zealand. We talked about Marg's route into public affairs and her wide ranging experience including her experience in mediation and conflict resolution. More details about the book that Marg contributed to, and her chapter on public affairs in New Zealand, can be found here. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Daniel Rice, Director at 5654, and Sam Cooper, Managing Director at MessageSpace. As well as learning more about Daniel and Sam and their paths into public affairs and political communication, we focused on the findings of their recent joint report, "Influence and Information: Media Habits of Westminster." You can access the report by clicking here. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Richard Gard, Director and Head of External and Government Affairs Africa, Middle East, Europe, India, Oceania at Nissan Motor Corporation. We talk about his background and how he got into public affairs, how he leads a small team covering such a huge region, his use of agency support, how the work of agencies has evolved over the past 10-15 years and how he manages to keep track of so many markets and balance the pressures on his time. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Robert Magyar, Head of Healthcare, APAC at Weber Shandwick. We talk about his background and how he got into public affairs, his experience of public affairs and lobbying across Asia and, in particular, China, and how his experience of running a consultancy. More details about the book that Robert contributed to, and his chapter on public affairs in China, can be found here. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Matt Day, Head of Government Relations, UK & Ireland. We talk about his background and how he got into public affairs, his experience of working for in consultancy and in-house roles, and how he sees the profession developing in the future. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to John Johnston, author of the weekly London Influence email for Politico which covers campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the U.K. We talk about his background and how he got into journalism, how he has found navigating the industry, and trends for 2025. There is also mention of the current consultation on the PRCA's Public Affairs Code. You can read details here. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Doug Pinkham, President of the Public Affairs Council. We talk about the importance of public affairs, its role in reputation management, how the industry has changed and what we can expect from the future. We also couldn't avoid talking about the forthcoming US Presidential election! This episode was recorded before the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and the withdrawal of President Biden from the Democratic nomination. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Zoe Cohen, a highly experienced board-level director and Master Coach. We talk about the importance of taking action to save the planet, climate communications, her activism and work with Extinction Rebellion, Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil. This episode was recorded before the recent UK General Election and *WARNING* it does contain some swearing. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World. Zoe has kindly provided some links and reading materials for us as well. Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA) and support – it’s really important for those of who feel this deeply to not be on our own with it, and to seek support, see https://www.climatepsychologyalliance.org/index.php/find-support   Planetary Boundaries – I described how 6 of the 9 ‘planetary boundaries’ have been identified as broken/passed – here is the framework behind that, developed by Professor Johan Rockstrom and colleagues -https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.html (there’s a Netflix movie on it too, with David Attenborough if people prefer, but of course it’s less blunt than it needs to be)   The ‘Humanity Project’ - https://humanityproject.uk/ - I talked about the project here in the UK to upgrade democracy, through local community assemblies, and a new grass roots national people’s assembly – by the people for the people    And just to add – deliberative democracy and citizens assemblies can be global as well as local and national. A Global Assembly was run in 2021  https://globalassembly.org/ with 100 ordinary people from all over the world. Now a coalition of organizations, individuals and governments are working to establish a permanent Global Citizens’ Assembly, to address humanity’s greatest challenges, and try to place citizens at the heart of global governance. See  https://www.gcacoalition.org/   ‘Breaking Together’ – I recommend this book by Professor Jem Bendell. It is a critical and multidisciplinary in-depth view of our current predicament, and some of the potential responses to it. Jem’s blog is here and includes a page on the book with a free e-read version - https://jembendell.com/2023/04/08/breaking-together-a-freedom-loving-response-to-collapse/   The ’Great Simplification’ -  If people aren't already familiar with it, this as Nate Hagen’s podcast and YouTube series -https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/ - also a good source of multidisciplinary, big picture perspectives on our human predicament, whilst I don’t necessarily agree with all the perspectives represented, it’s still a good source.   ‘Defend Our Juries’ - https://defendourjuries.org/ this is an important campaign which began last year to defend all UK citizens rights to a fair jury trial. Jurors have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience – but this is under attack in multiple ways and must be defended.   ‘This is Rigged’ - https://www.thisisrigged.org/ - This is a great youth-led, campaign in Scotland, which is taking nonviolent action to pressure the government on food justice to ensure everyone can eat and no one goes hungry

In an interview episode, I talk to John Harrington, Editor, PR Week UK.  We talk about his work at PR Week, stories that he is particularly proud of, the main challenges facing the public affairs, and how it may evolve in the coming years. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

All organisations need to manage risk. Some do it better than others. Some make basic mistakes; others try to drive out all aspects of risk. But the reality is that some risk needs to be maintained, not least in communications, otherwise innovation can die. Thanks to my editor Callums World.

Originally written for LabourList, and with Scott Goodstein, this episode outlines five crucial challenges for which every candidate should be prepared in creating their own winning election scenario. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In a different type of episode, we hear from five of the leading monitoring companies. Delivering public affairs training, I am often asked about who can monitoring services. So, I asked leading monitoring companies to tell us more about what they do. A huge thank you to all those who took part. To learn more about the companies took part (in alphabetical order): DeHavilland Dods PolicyMogul - with a special offer of 10% off your first year's subscription PoliMonitor - use the code STUARTSENTME for 13 months for the price of 12 if you trial and sign up Vuelio - or email sam.webber@vuelio.com Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Craig Jones MBE, Executive Director of Fighting With Pride  that supports the health and wellbeing of LGBT+Veterans, service personnel and their families. We talk about his background in the Royal Navy; the lifting of the ‘gay ban’ in the armed forces and the challenges he, and many others, faced; his varied career when he left the Royal Navy; how Fighting With Pride started, its achievements in influencing government and the challenges that remain. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Paul Gerrard, Campaigns, Public Affairs & Board Secretariat Director at the Co-op Group. We talk about his background in the civil service, the skills he learned and how he has applied them to public affairs and the fantastic campaign he has led tackling violence against shop workers. It is a case study that everyone should learn from. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Kirsty McHugh, CEO of Carers Trust. We talk about her impressive career, how it all started, and the benefits of serving of a local councillor. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Vallath Kavitha Krishnan, a Team Leader in the Scottish Government's Justice Transformation Policy Team. We talk about her background in public affairs and its benefits in her latest policy-focused role. All views expressed in the podcast are Vallath's own. Learn more about me and my services @CWE Communications Thanks to my editor Callums World.

In an interview episode, I talk to Philip Salter, Founder of The Entrepreneurs Network, a think tank for Britain’s most ambitious entrepreneurs. We talk about how he established TEN, its role and the challenges of running a think tank. I am one of TEN's advisers.

Engaging with political audiences can often feel like an uphill challenge for those seeking to make an impact. Even when an event seems directly relevant, politicians may not always want to take part. Why can it seem like they have left the room? Thanks to my editor Callums World.

There can be a lot to consider when writing a public affairs strategy. It needs to think about the policy context, stakeholders, their timetables and much else. But sometimes thinking at a more granular, micro level can help focus and drive action. Always ask what needs to change to get the outcome you want. Thanks to my editor Callums World.