our services

Labour Public Affairs Directorate

STRATEGIC SUPPORT TO NAVIGATE AND ENGAGE WITH THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT’S PEOPLE, POLICIES, AND PRIORITIES

Arden is one of only two UK agencies led by a former Labour Cabinet Minister. 

Our Labour Directorate brings together a unique wealth of experience of former Labour politicians, advisors and senior parliamentary staffers with real-life knowledge and understanding of the Labour government.

Labour Directorate Services

A dedicated Labour focused public affairs function, the Directorate helps clients navigate the Labour Party’s evolving priorities, to anticipate political developments, and build meaningful relationships across the Labour Party’s ecosystem.

Working at the intersection of policy, message, and mobilisation, we offer tailored support to organisations that want to shape the conversation and drive impact within Labour spaces. Whether you’re shaping policy, refining your message, or preparing for Labour Party Conference, our team offers strategic guidance rooted in decades of frontline experience.

We offer a full suite of Labour public affairs services designed to support UK and global corporate and charitable clients to navigate and engage with Labour’s policies and politics:

  • Unique political insight into the Labour government’s people, policies, and priorities.
  • Government relations and public affairs strategies that have real impact when it matters most.
  • Expertise on how to successfully navigate the complexities of decision making across Whitehall.
  • Labour Party engagement strategies that connect you to the Labour influencers, trade unions, think-tanks and networks who helped shape Labour’s Five Missions and other political priorities.
  • Advice on how best to shape compelling narratives in a way that will appeal to Labour decision-makers and resonate with progressive audiences.
  • AI enabled parliamentary, media and reputation monitoring as well as advice on appearances at parliamentary Select Committees.
  • Labour Party conference planning, with bespoke support for companies wishing to maximise their engagement at Labour’s annual conference, regional conferences and other high-profile events, with our dedicated events team.

Labour Party Conference & Events Support

Arden’s Labour Directorate offers end-to-end support for organisations looking to make an impact at Labour’s Annual Conference and other political events.

The Labour Party Conference is a pivotal moment in the political calendar – and a powerful opportunity to engage directly with Labour’s leadership, policymakers, and influencers.

We offer a range of tailored packages to help you connect with key audiences, shape the policy conversation, and maximise your visibility – without the logistical burden.

Our Conference Services

  • Roundtables: Host private, high-level discussions with ministers, trade union leaders, and sector experts.
  • Panel Sessions: Position your organisation as a thought leader on priority policy issues.
  • Drinks Receptions: Invite-only or open networking events with stakeholders and business leaders.
  • Private Dinners: Intimate dining experiences for 10 to 30 guests.
  • Strategic Branding: High-visibility placements throughout Arden’s Business Lounge.
  • Tailored Conference Agendas: Strategic guidance to help you navigate and maximise your presence.
  • Meeting Space Hire: Private, professional spaces for one-to-one or group meetings.
  • Bespoke Packages: Have a unique idea? We’ll work with you to design a custom sponsorship or engagement plan.

 

Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning to deepen your engagement, our labour public affairs team ensures your presence is strategic, seamless, and impactful.

FIND OUT MORE

Why Choose Arden’s Labour Directorate

Our team brings unparalleled insight into UK government relations, with a particular depth of expertise in the Labour Party. As one of the UK’s only consultancies led by a former Labour Cabinet Minister, we have deep expertise in Labour-focused public affairs strategy. We offer clients access to one of the most connected and informed advisory teams in London, supported by senior staff across the UK.

Our advisors include former senior civil servants, politicians and political advisers to current Cabinet ministers and frontbenchers – people who’ve been on the other side of the table and understand how the Labour Party works from within.

As a dynamic and fast-growing agency, we tailor every engagement to the unique needs of our clients. Our bespoke approach ensures that each strategy is grounded in your objectives – not a generic template.

At Arden, we are relentlessly focused on outcomes. We combine data-driven strategy with political intelligence to help clients achieve their policy and commercial goals. We go beyond the ‘what’ to deliver the ‘now what’ – keeping you informed, agile, and ahead of the curve. Whether it’s restoring reputations, influencing stakeholders, navigating political risk or conference support, we deliver with discretion and impact.

Our Labour Directorate

Rt Hon. Jim Murphy
CEO & Founder
Jim is one of the UK’s most experienced government Ministers. He was a Labour MP for almost two decades and has held multiple ministerial portfolios including as a cabinet minister. He was leader of the Scottish Labour Party and Secretary of State for Scotland. Jim was a senior member of Labour’s election winning teams. Jim is also a member of His Majesty’s Privy Council.
Kieran Simpson
Associate Director
Kieran worked for Labour’s economic team under Gordon Brown, and has served as a Special Adviser in three government departments. He has extensive knowledge of Whitehall’s interactions with business and trade bodies. Kieran has built a career as a leading communications and strategic adviser helping clients build their corporate reputations. His knowledge extends across a range of sectors including the food & drink, agriculture, energy and health.
George McGregor
Associate Director
George was a Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Scotland in the last Labour Government and is a former member of the Labour Party National Policy Forum. He worked for almost two decades in public affairs providing senior counsel to many of the country's leading companies, delivering government relations strategies and campaigns to help them achieve their objectives. George's work has won him an array of awards including Best Public Affairs Campaign of the Year.
Ellie Miller
Managing Director External Affairs
Ellie has more than 15 years’ experience working in senior roles with Labour. Since Keir Starmer became Leader, she, more than any other senior staffer, has led the party’s engagement with corporate Britain. As Head of Labour’s Business Relations team, Ellie has helped Keir Starmer rebuild connections with business. She has also worked as an advisor to a Labour Minister as well as the Deputy Speaker of the Commons. Ellie joined Arden from Make UK (one of the ‘Big 5’ business groups) where she was Head of Stakeholder Engagement.
Toni Sword
Director of Digital
Toni has a wealth of experience in digital campaigning and communications. She previously led the Labour Party’s digital and social media activity in Scotland, and has brought her knowledge and understanding to successful political campaigns around the world. Toni has worked with senior political figures, including former PM Gordon Brown, and many high-profile companies, delivering innovative and creative campaigns to help them achieve their objectives.
Katarina Stawska-Hughes
Head of External Relations
Kat has over ten years of expertise in political and business engagement, executing a number of high profile advocacy projects and providing counsel to clients in the financial services and tech sectors. Prior to this, Katarina worked at the Labour Party, building the Party’s network of business supporters and pioneering engagement with BAME business leaders and endorsers. Before starting her career in politics, Katarina was a small business owner. She graduated in Law with Business at the University of Portsmouth.
Adam Scott
Director
During his eight years in Westminster, Adam briefed and advised more than 20 Labour Shadow Secretaries of State across a range of policy roles. For six years, he played a pivotal role in the Labour policy unit, overseeing a diverse portfolio of domestic policies including transport, housing, culture, and energy. His contributions directly influenced the development of the last two Labour general election manifestos. Adam will serve Arden’s growing corporate client base, as well as contribute to finding and winning new contracts.
Alec James
Director of Operations
Alec has worked with and for some of the most senior figures in the Labour Party including the then Deputy Leader, Tom Watson. He also worked at the heart of Labour’s HQ in the General Secretary’s office giving him a ring-side seat on all major developments in Labour politics in recent years.
Alec has policy expertise in energy, finance and technology policy.
Marie Birchall
Director
Marie has over a decade of experience in senior advisory roles at the Labour Party, including working as a political advisor to Secretaries of State and Shadow Secretaries of State, where she steered legislation across a range of areas in Westminster and Holyrood. Marie managed Scottish Labour’s policy-making process, holding the pen on three Labour election manifestos. She retains close connections to many of Labour’s senior leaders. leads Arden’s infrastructure practice. Marie leads Arden’s infrastructure practice.
Davide Sands
Head of Political Affairs
Davide has experience advising senior Labour politicians at Shadow Cabinet and Select Committee level. He has unique insight into Labour’s political processes and since Keir Starmer became Labour leader, he has advised a Shadow Cabinet Member across two portfolios which placed him at the heart of current Labour policy development, campaigns, and media management. His policy expertise and interests include transport, food security, foreign affairs, and environment.

Contact ARDEN

For press enquiries please contact [email protected]. For all other enquiries please fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.

By providing your information, you are agreeing that we can use it to contact you. For more information please see our privacy policy.

book an event

All of the events listed below will take place in our lounge on Level 2 of the ECL (next to the entrance to the link bridge) unless stated otherwise in the event description. 

Please note that as our lounge is inside the secure zone and you need a conference pass to attend these events. 

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By providing your information, you are agreeing that we can use it to contact you. For more information please see our privacy policy.

book a table

We have a limited number of two and four person tables available to reserve in our lounge. Our conference lounge is the most prestigious lounge at Labour Party Conference venue, and is the ideal space for your informal meetings.

If you would like to reserve a table in our lounge, please use the booking form below.

Please note that due to high demand for this space, bookings are limited to one table per person per day. If you would like to make additional reservations please contact your account manager or email [email protected]

[ameliastepbooking trigger=amelia-table-id]

By providing your information, you are agreeing that we can use it to contact you. For more information please see our privacy policy.

book a table

We have a limited number of two and four person tables available to reserve in our lounge. Our conference lounge is the most prestigious lounge at Labour Party Conference venue, and is the ideal space for your informal meetings.

Please note that due to high demand for this space, bookings are limited to one table per person per day. If you would like to make additional reservations please contact your account manager or email [email protected]

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By providing your information, you are agreeing that we can use it to contact you. For more information please see our privacy policy.