Boards and CEOs increasingly ask a version of the same question. Do we need a Head of Government Relations, a Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, or both, and who should that person report to if not the board? The question sounds like a matter of titles. It isn’t. It’s a question about what kind of value…
Notes from a Policy Recruiter There is no shortage of professionals with “policy” or “government relations” on their CV. The challenge most organisations face when making a senior appointment in this space isn’t finding candidates. It’s distinguishing between someone who has worked in policy and someone who can lead it. That distinction matters more than…
Notes from a Policy Recruiter For a long time, policy and government affairs was often understood as a distinct function with a relatively clear remit: monitor the external environment, engage with stakeholders, respond to regulatory developments and help the organisation navigate political change. That view no longer fully reflects the reality of the market. As…
For many years, policy leadership sat just outside the main commercial engine of a business. Important, certainly. Respected, in many cases. But often viewed as a supporting function rather than a strategic one. That is changing fast. Today, global policy leadership is becoming one of the most important disciplines inside companies and organisations operating across…
In reality I suspect the answer isn’t binary. Evidence-based policy influence tends to carry the most weight when the issue is technically complex (I’m thinking energy markets, AI regulation, life sciences). Policymakers are still forming positions and need credible, detailed input. The risk of getting it wrong is high, so substance matters more than noise….
Particularly where grid capacity, data centres and industrial strategy intersect. For policy and government affairs leaders, this could be less about a “sector shift” and more about a change in how roles are defined and assessed. What’s changing in 2026 hiring: 1. Policy roles are becoming more operational The strongest policy hires are no longer…
The most impactful policy professionals I engage with tend to have experience that spans more than one environment — public, non-profit, and private. That doesn’t mean it’s the only path to success, but it’s a perspective worth exploring. Policy and public affairs work sits at the intersection of ideas, institutions, and influence. Each sector offers…