This story was first listed in PR Week.
James Marshall has become MHP Group’s new head of public affairs and joined the firm’s leadership team.
As the former director of the Number 10 policy unit, Marshall was a special adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May from 2017 to 2019. During his time at Downing Street, he oversaw policy work across all UK government domestic departments, including legislation for sustainability and decarbonisation.
Since leaving government, Marshall has advised global consultancies at Weber Shandwick and Macro Advisory Partners, providing counsel on geopolitical risks, opportunities and trends in UK policy and politics. He has also worked as a freelance strategy consultant.
Alex Bigg, chief executive at the MHP Group, said: “I’m delighted to welcome James to MHP Group. He brings a rare and invaluable understanding of how government works and how change can be delivered, both domestically and internationally. He’s a highly respected adviser and leader, and is a great addition to our team.”
Marshall added: “MHP provides the market with the very best in innovative, impactful public policy campaigns, and I am thrilled to lead a new chapter of growth in its public affairs work. I look forward to supporting clients in PA – and right across the business – in finding new opportunities to drive commercial value, whilst strengthening resilience to political and regulatory shock.”
Marshall takes over from Tim Snowball, who is set to join the British Chambers of Commerce as its new director of communications and public affairs.
MHP Group is a full-service communications group that includes agencies MHP, Mischief and Studio La Plage. MHP Group is the country’s 12th-largest agency, with UK revenue of £40m in 2024, according to PRWeek’s latest UK Top 150 Consultancies ranking.
Other recent appointments to MHP’s public affairs division include former editor-in-chief of Mirror Group Alison Phillips and ex-Burson adviser Georgie Callé. Divisional clients include Müller, Innocent Drinks, and Serco.
