Judges

Carl Thomson is Public Policy Manager at Airbnb and a board member of the Short Term Accommodation Association.

Previously, he was a director at Whitehouse Communications and Interel, and an Associate Partner at Dentons Global Advisors. He also worked for several Conservative Members of Parliament, was a local councillor and a former candidate for parliament. He was a member of the Association of Professional Political Consultants management committee, and won Best Crisis and Issues Management at the 2021 PRCA National Awards.

As Senior Manager for Public Affairs at the John Lewis Partnership, Damien leads the Partnership’s political and policy strategy and engagement across Westminster and the Devolved Nations. In this role he is responsible for delivery of advocacy campaigns that support the Partnership’s Purpose – Working in Partnership for a Happier World – including the Partnership’s Building Happier Futures programme to support Care Experienced People, and Waitrose’s leadership on agri-food standards.  His role also covers influencing pan-partnership policy issues impacting their two brands – John Lewis and Waitrose – and wider retail industry, from retail crime and business taxation, to skills and the future of work.

Prior to joining the Partnership in March 2018, Damien was Interim Head of Public Affairs at Sainsbury’s, having initially joined Sainsbury’s on secondment from Defra where he held a number of policy advisory roles.  Now living in St Albans, Damien is originally from Northern Ireland, has an agricultural background and is a partner in the family farm.

Ella is Head of Public Affairs UK at Weber Shandwick and previously led political and government outreach for Northern Europe at Meta.

She is Co-Founder of the Women in Public Affairs Network, launched in 2012 to provide women in the PA industry with a space to network, learn and develop their careers. She lives in Bedford with her husband and two young sons.

Jessica is Head of Public Affairs and Associate Director at Hanover Communications where she provides senior counsel and advice on political communications and campaigns.

Jessica has over 5 years of consultancy experience and began her career working in Westminster. She is also a member of the Public Affairs Board Executive Committee

Leon has more than 20 years international experience as a government relations and corporate communications specialist, having worked for three of the biggest global agencies, been seconded to two national oil companies, and worked inhouse for the likes of SONY and Anglo American.

Leon has led multi-functional cross-border teams in the UK and across Europe and Middle East to develop bespoke reputation, government affairs and communications strategies for pressure groups, foreign governments and large multinationals across multiple sectors. Leon is responsible for overall strategy and client campaign development across Atticus’ client base.

A former Director of a City communications agency, and political strategist, Martha is a founding partner of Lodestone and its Managing Director.

She advises global clients on strategic communications, campaigns, public affairs and strategy. She has advised FTSE250 companies, brands and charities on critical political issues, regulatory challenges and reputational management. She had led high profile campaigns for the Musician’s Union and the Bourbon Alliance. Listed in PR Week’s 30 under 30 2016, in PRWeek’s Powerbook 2023 as an environmental champion, she is a Trustee of the Institute of the Future of Work and co-founded the grassroots organisation RegistHERtoVote. She has advised a number of political campaigns and headed up communications for Labour Party leadership candidates in 2015 (Tom Watson MP) and 2020 (Lisa Nandy MP).

Paul is a Director at Tendo Consulting, where he leads on aviation, road transport, housing and infrastructure. He began his career in Parliament working for a senior frontbencher and has also worked for The FA and led the strategy and public affairs team at a major housing provider.

Ruby is Public Affairs and PR Executive at the Railway Industry Association, where she is responsible for RIA’s outfacing communications, representing members’ interests to government officials and liaising with politicians. During her time there she has increased RIA’s social media presence, led on several Rail Fellowship Programme visits and leads on the Railway Industry Magazine culminating in the magazine being shortlisted for an Association of Excellence Award. Ruby also wrote RIA’s briefing: Transport Decarbonisation Plan which resulted in positive feedback from RIA Members and a response from the Department for Transport.

Ruby is a local councillor in the London Borough of Enfield, where she sits on the Education and Children’s Social Care committee and the Equalities committees.

Sarah Clothier is a former journalist and experienced public affairs consultant, specialising in political communication and public health campaigning. For the last 12 years, she has worked as Public Affairs Consultant for Slimming World, the largest group-based weight loss organisation in the UK and Ireland.

In 2019, Sarah completed an MA in International Public and Political Communication (distinction) at The University of Sheffield. She has co-authored and led a number of award-winning national public health campaigns working with strategic partners and government agencies.

Sarah works as an Associate Lecturer on the MA Public Relations at Sheffield Hallam University.

Stuart has over 25 years’ experience of advising clients on public affairs and reputation management.  He is the author of books including ‘Public Affairs in Practice’ and ‘Reputation in Business’, regularly blogs and was named Current Affairs Online Influencer of The Year by Vuelio in 2020.

Stuart leads the PRCA’s Diploma in Public Affairs Management.