Mace Magazine

Funding Circle’s Abigail Whittaker explains how policy can unlock finance for small businesses, why timing matters in advocacy and why AI will make strong relationships more valuable, not less. “When you're in-house, you're living the mission every day,” says Abigail Whittaker. As Chief of Staff at Funding Circle, that mission is clear: ensuring that policy decisions in Westminster translate into real access to finance for small businesses across the UK.

The combination of government, campaigns and consultancy gives Beth a broad view of Westminster Beth Armstrong has spent much of her career in rooms where decisions get made. The Charlesbye Partner has 14 years’ experience at the heart of government, advising senior Cabinet Ministers across Whitehall. She was Chief of Staff to the Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister and a Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, and also worked for the Brexit, Education and Justice Secretaries.

Fabri discusses his support for greater transparency and his belief that lobbying standards should apply beyond traditional public affairs agencies Vincent Fabri’s route into public affairs was not entirely straightforward. “I grew up in a very political family,” he says, surrounded by political magazines and political debates at dinners hosted by his parents.

On 25 September, the UK government announced closed-door Whitehall briefings for representatives of defence companies and Critical National Infrastructure providers. The Cabinet Office and Ministry of Defence said the sessions would address Russian threats including cyber attacks, sabotage and disinformation. “Russia is actively seeking to disrupt the organisations that form the bedrock of our national security,” Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones said.

Voters in the West London constituency will be selecting a new MP to replace former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after his surprise resignation last month. There will be 15 candidates in the by-election, including the infamous Count Binface, competing for a seat in Parliament. As it stands, Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali is the bookies’ favourite to win.

Two senior partners who left communications agency Finn Partners’ Irish operation last month have revealed their next move. Nuala Ryan and Paddy O’Dea have been appointed directors at Paritee-owned public affairs agency Fenton Fitzwilliam. The pair announced their departure from Finn Partners’ Dublin office last month.

Shifting perceptions, particularly in financial services, is “no easy task” — and often requires sustained engagement across multiple audiences “Representing the interests of the City was certainly a challenge at that time,” says Jonathan Pallant. He joined the City of London Corporation’s Remembrancer’s Office in the aftermath of the financial crisis — a baptism of fire that shaped his understanding of politics, policy and reputation from the outset.

At the Women’s Budget Group, debates about fiscal rules, welfare reform and public spending land directly on the lives of women, carers and disabled people. “I loved working in parliament and understanding better the link between policy making and scrutiny,” says Erin Mansell. That spell, on secondment from the National Audit Office to work to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, set the direction for the next phase of her career.

W Communications has recruited a former director from luxury PR firm CuraConn Ally Weller joins W Communications as a director, where she will lead the agency’s hospitality practice. PRWeek understands that this marks the first time the agency has appointed a lead dedicated solely to its hospitality work. Weller will report to board director Philippa Barker, who previously worked with the agency’s hospitality clients but will now focus her attention on business development and PR.

Having moved into investor relations from a City banking and hedge fund background, his route into policy engagement has been indirect — but increasingly central. “My primary role is Investor Relations,” says Ross Hawley — “but it has a broader remit where relevant.” It is a framing that captures a career shaped less by traditional public affairs pathways and more by exposure to markets, capital and corporate narrative.