Sarah Cotton

Sarah Cotton works with Helen Johnson Public Affairs, which states that she:

Having graduated from Bristol University with a degree in Politics and Social Policy in 1999, Sarah has subsequently developed a broad portfolio of practical and strategic experience in the public affairs and policy development arena.

Working in the House of Commons after leaving University, running the Parliamentary office of Ivan Lewis MP (then PPS to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry – now Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Care Services at the Department of Health) as well as a secondment during the 2001 re-election campaign for Oona King MP, gave Sarah experience of the mechanisms of Parliament, government and political campaigning.

Sarah joined the Public Affairs team of Consolidated Communications in 2000. In addition to Parliamentary analysis and research services, Sarah devised and implemented integrated media and political campaigns for a range of clients in the healthcare, financial services and telecommunications sectors.

Having built particular expertise in healthcare issues and stakeholder relations at Consolidated, Sarah was briefly seconded to the Audit Commission as Stakeholder Relations Manager. During a time of restructuring and change at the Commission, Sarah was responsible for maintaining stability and high quality political engagement with all key audiences.

Sarah joined global healthcare company Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited as Political and NICE Policy Manager in 2003. As MSD’s expert in the workings of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Sarah drew on her previous public affairs experience to positively shape MSD’s engagement with both the organisation and its processes. Whilst at MSD, Sarah worked with a wide range of UK and international influencing audiences, both internally and externally.

Sarah left MSD in November 2006 following the birth of her first baby, and is now working with HJCL, using her range of experience to help HJCL clients achieve their public affairs objectives whilst also allowing her to achieve a work-life balance.