Benjamin Wegg-Prosser

From Powerbase
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Twenty-pound-notes.jpg This article is part of the Lobbying Portal, a sunlight project from Spinwatch.
Revolving Door.jpg This article is part of the Revolving Door project of Spinwatch.



British political adviser and consultant


-
Benjamin Wegg-Prosser
Born 11 06 1974 (age 52 years old (as of 2026)

)

Occupation CEO and co-founder of Global Counsel
Known for Political adviser to Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson
Website

Benjamin Charles Wegg-Prosser (born 11 June 1974) is a British consultant and political adviser. He is the chief executive officer and co-founder of Global Counsel, a London-based strategic consultancy and lobbying organisation, which has Peter Mandelson as its president. Wegg-Prosser previously served as Tony Blair's Director of Strategic Communications at 10 Downing Street from 2005 to 2007 and has held various roles in media, government, and international business. His career has been marked by a close professional and personal relationship with Peter Mandelson, spanning over three decades, which has influenced his trajectory in politics and consultancy. As of 2026, Wegg-Prosser continues to lead Global Counsel amid expansions into new markets and partnerships, while navigating challenges related to Peter Mandelson's controversies.

Wegg-Prosser's early involvement in Labour politics positioned him as a key figure in the New Labour project. His loyalty to Peter Mandelson during scandals and his subsequent roles in media and government highlight his adaptability and strategic acumen. In recent years, Global Counsel has grown significantly, advising multinational corporations on policy and regulatory issues across Europe, Asia, and the US. However, the firm's association with Peter Mandelson has come under scrutiny due to revelations about Peter Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Russian oligarchs, prompting efforts to distance the business from these issues.

Background

Wegg-Prosser was born on 11 June 1974. He graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in Politics in 1995.[1] His entry into politics was swift, reflecting the dynamic environment of the Labour Party's modernisation under Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson.

Early career and association with Peter Mandelson (1995–1999)

Wegg-Prosser's political career began in 1995 as a research assistant to Peter Mandelson in the Labour Party, while the party was in opposition.[2] This marked the start of a longstanding relationship with Peter Mandelson, often described as one of mentorship and close collaboration. By 1997, following Labour's election victory, Wegg-Prosser became a special adviser to Peter Mandelson, who was appointed Minister without Portfolio and later Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.[3]

The relationship was tested in December 1998 when Peter Mandelson resigned amid revelations of an undeclared home loan from Geoffrey Robinson, then Paymaster General. Wegg-Prosser left his post alongside Peter Mandelson, demonstrating loyalty that would define their partnership.[4] In the aftermath, Wegg-Prosser worked without pay for a month to assist Peter Mandelson in managing the fallout, earning him the nickname "Oofy" in some circles, though he was noted for his sensibility and steadiness.[5] This period solidified their bond, with Wegg-Prosser often referred to as Peter Mandelson's "right-hand man".

Following the resignation, Wegg-Prosser briefly joined Pearson Plc as Deputy Director of Communications in 1999.[2]

Media roles (2000–2005)

In 2000, Wegg-Prosser transitioned to media, joining The Guardian where he launched Public magazine, targeted at public sector readers.[3] He progressed through roles including Publisher of Politics in Guardian Unlimited, General Manager of EducationGuardian.co.uk, and Publisher of Society Guardian.[2] This period allowed him to build expertise in digital media and public affairs, skills that would later inform his consultancy work.

During this time, his connection with Peter Mandelson remained strong. Peter Mandelson, exiled from frontline politics temporarily, continued to influence Labour's direction, and Wegg-Prosser provided informal support. In 2002, Wegg-Prosser wrote an article for The Guardian reflecting on government priorities, indicating his ongoing engagement with policy.[6]

Return to government (2005–2007)

In July 2005, Wegg-Prosser returned to government as Director of the Strategic Communications Unit at 10 Downing Street, succeeding Peter Hyman and Godric Smith.[3] This role under Prime Minister Tony Blair involved overseeing long-term communications strategy, including the launch of Downing Street's e-petitions service in 2006. The service attracted 1.5 million signatures against road tolls, leading to criticism from a government minister who branded Wegg-Prosser "a prat". He defended it as a "great success".[7]

Wegg-Prosser's tenure coincided with Tony Blair's final years, marked by internal Labour tensions. His proximity to Peter Mandelson, then European Trade Commissioner, was evident in 2008 when Wegg-Prosser publicly revealed details of Peter Mandelson's meetings with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in Moscow. He described heated debates on WTO entry and tariffs, emphasising Peter Mandelson's networking style.[8] This disclosure highlighted the intertwined professional lives of Wegg-Prosser and Peter Mandelson.


In July 2005, he left The Guardian after being appointed as Director of the Strategic Communications Unit at No. 10 (a role previously held by Peter Hyman and Godric Smith).[9] In this role, he oversaw the launch of Downing Street's e-petitions service. The website was used by 1.5 million people to protest against road tolls, prompting one Government minister to brand Wegg-Prosser "a prat". He defended the innovation, saying it had been a "great success".[10]

In 2008, Wegg-Prosser revealed that Peter Mandelson twice met Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in Moscow, while Mandelson was European Trade Commissioner. Wegg-Prosser said:

On one of his more recent trade trips to Moscow Peter spent a day at our dacha. We tried to go for a walk but it was -20C and we only got as far as the end of the path before turning back. We then went into Moscow and ended up having dinner with Deripaska. My main memory from the evening was the fierce disagreement, to the point of raised voices, that both men had on two issues. First, Russia's entry to the WTO. Peter wanted them to join, Deripaska didn't. Second, the tariffs which the Russians were imposing on Finnish timber imports. Peter said they were illegal, protectionist and wrong, Deripaska argued that they were a necessary defence mechanism to protect a key national industry in an emerging economy. Their friendship was founded on these sort of jousts and arguments.
Peter was a success in Brussels in part down to the network of contacts which he built up. And surprise surprise, that meant socializing with them.[11]

Move to Russia and new media (2007–2011)

In 2007, Wegg-Prosser joined Moscow-based new media company SUP as Director of Marketing, later becoming Director of Corporate Development in August 2008.[12][13] SUP, which he co-founded in 2006, merged with Russian search engine Rambler in 2013, owned by sanctioned Sberbank.[14] Wegg-Prosser has denied ongoing links, but his Valdai Club profile noted business development in Russia.[14]

This period deepened his ties with Peter Mandelson, who met Oleg Deripaska multiple times. Wegg-Prosser's Russian ventures overlapped with Peter Mandelson's EU role, raising questions about influence.

In 2010, while at SUP, Wegg-Prosser joined The Ledbury Group as a New Media & Political Relations Consultant, focusing on campaigning and reputation management.[13] He praised the firm as a "challenger brand".

Founding Global Counsel and consultancy career (2011–present)

In November 2010, Wegg-Prosser co-founded Global Counsel with Peter Mandelson, backed by WPP.[15] As CEO, he has overseen expansion to offices in Brussels, Singapore, and Washington DC.[16] The firm advises on policy, regulation, and market access, with clients in technology, energy, and finance. Recent examples include advising a major software company on European policymaker engagement, supporting an international hospitality business through Covid-19 policy challenges in Europe, and helping a global investor navigate UK life sciences political risks.[17]

By 2013, Global Counsel had established itself as a key player in strategic advisory, with Wegg-Prosser as managing partner.[18] That year, he became a director of LabourList, a Labour-supporting blog, enhancing his influence within party circles.[19] In September 2013, Wegg-Prosser released internal Downing Street emails detailing the 2006 internal Labour fight to prevent Tony Blair's replacement by Gordon Brown, providing historical insight into New Labour dynamics.[6]

Throughout the 2010s, Global Counsel focused on international market access, particularly in Europe and Asia. Wegg-Prosser's expertise from his Russian tenure informed advice on business development in emerging markets, including Russia and the CIS.[20] By 2017, he was listed as an expert at the Valdai Discussion Club, though he later denied ongoing affiliations.[14]

The firm experienced significant growth post-2010, with Wegg-Prosser leading teams on cross-border policy issues. In 2022, Global Counsel expanded its footprint, including the formation of Global Counsel Ventures Ltd, where Wegg-Prosser was appointed director in January 2022.[21] This venture aimed at supporting innovative policy solutions.

In 2023, Global Counsel strengthened its leadership with promotions: Rebecca Park leading financial services and Belma Ambrose overseeing global programming became Managing Directors. Daniel Capparelli was appointed Senior Practice Director for Trade, focusing on supply chains.[22] Wegg-Prosser commented that these moves reinforced the firm's position as a dynamic consultancy.

The firm faced scrutiny in 2023 over undisclosed lobbying for Qatar Free Zones, leading to a regulator probe cleared in 2025.[23] Public filings showed a surge in lobbying deals from late 2023, with up to 20 clients in Q3 2024, reflecting perceived connections to the incoming Labour government.[24]

In 2024, Wegg-Prosser was approached for the role of UK Investment Minister but declined due to business conflicts.[25][26][27] That year, Peter Mandelson resigned as director of Global Counsel amid Epstein revelations.

2025 saw further expansions: Partnership with Bien Commun Advisory in France in February to enhance French market coverage.[28] US team grew with Justin Memmott as Director in April.[29] David Henig joined in August to bolster European leadership.[30] The firm signed a $3m contract with WuXi AppTec, linked to Chinese military, drawing attention.[31] Wegg-Prosser participated in high-profile events like Davos and Munich Security Conference, discussing geopolitics and AI.[32]

Amid Epstein disclosures, Global Counsel divested Peter Mandelson's stake in September 2025, revoking voting rights and ending dividends.[33][34][35][36][37]

Wegg-Prosser serves on the Economic Advisory Council of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and is a board member of The News Movement.[16] He became a director of LabourList in April 2013.[18]

Relationship with Peter Mandelson

Wegg-Prosser's career is inextricably linked to Peter Mandelson, beginning in 1995. Their collaboration spans government roles, scandals, and business ventures. Peter Mandelson has described Wegg-Prosser as instrumental in his networks.[38]

In 2010, they co-founded Global Counsel, with Peter Mandelson as chairman until 2024.[15] Revelations about Peter Mandelson's Epstein ties in 2025 led to his stake divestment, with Wegg-Prosser leading the separation.[33][34][35][36][37]

Documents from 2010 show Wegg-Prosser assisting Peter Mandelson in securing a Russian visa for Jeffrey Epstein via Oleg Deripaska.[39][40] They met Jeffrey Epstein together in 2010.[35] Peter Mandelson's Epstein emails referenced "Ben" for visas.[41]

Despite controversies, their partnership has driven Global Counsel's success, though it has strained the firm's reputation.

Affiliations

Organisation Role Dates References
Labour Party Research Assistant to Peter Mandelson 1995–1997 [2]
Department of Trade and Industry Special Adviser to Peter Mandelson 1997–1998 [3]
Pearson Plc Deputy Director of Communications 1999–2000 [2]
The Guardian Various roles (Publisher of Public, Politics in Guardian Unlimited, General Manager of EducationGuardian.co.uk, Publisher of Society Guardian) 2000–2005 [2]
Prime Minister's Office Director of Strategic Communications Unit 2005–2007 [3]
SUP (Moscow-based new media company) Director of Marketing, later Director of Corporate Development 2007–2011 [12][13]
The Ledbury Group New Media & Political Relations Consultant (Leadership Panel) 2010–present (advisory) [13]
Global Counsel CEO and Co-Founder 2010–present [16][15]
LabourList Director 2013–present [19][21]
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Member, Economic Advisory Council 2020s–present [16]
The News Movement Board Member 2020s–present [16]
Valdai Discussion Club (Russia) Expert (denied ongoing links) 2017–2022 (archived) [20][14]
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Affiliated (profiled) Ongoing [17]

See also

Peter Mandelson Global Counsel Tony Blair

External links

Official biography at Global Counsel Twitter profile

Contact, Resources, Notes

Contact

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wpbenjamin
Blog: http://wpbenjamin.livejournal.com

Resources

Notes

  1. ↑ Benjamin Wegg-Prosser - The Org, "Benjamin Wegg-Prosser - CEO at Global Counsel", theorg.com/org/global-counsel/org-chart/benjamin-wegg-prosser, accessed 5 February 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Benjamin Wegg-Prosser - The Org, "Benjamin Wegg-Prosser - CEO at Global Counsel", theorg.com/org/global-counsel/org-chart/benjamin-wegg-prosser, accessed 5 February 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Staff reporter, "Mandelson's ex-adviser takes No 10 PR role", The Guardian, 28 July 2005, accessed 5 February 2026.
  4. ↑ Info-Dynamics Research, "Where are they now? The 1997/1998 Special Advisers to the Labour Government", GMB: April 2006 Briefing, p13, accessed 5 February 2026.
  5. ↑ Staff reporter, "Blair's new man in the Sun", The Guardian, 21 January 1999, accessed 5 February 2026.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, The Guardian profile, theguardian.com/profile/benjaminweggprosser, accessed 5 February 2026.
  7. ↑ Simon Walters, "No 10 adviser behind road toll poll says: 'I'm proud'", The Daily Mail, 17 February 2007, accessed 5 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Nick Allen and Gordon Rayner, "Peter Mandelson met Russian oligarch twice for dinner", The Telegraph, 16 October 2008, accessed 5 February 2026.
  9. ↑ Staff reporter, "Mandelson's ex-adviser takes No 10 PR role", The Guardian, 28.07.05, accessed 25.09.10
  10. ↑ Simon Walters, "No 10 adviser behind road toll poll says: ' I'm proud'", The Daily Mail, 17.02.07, accessed 25.09.10
  11. ↑ Nick Allen and Gordon Rayner, "Peter Mandelson met Russian oligarch twice for dinner", The Telegraph, 16.10.08, accessed 25.09.10
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Management, SUP, web.archive.org/web/20071012123759rn_1/www.sup.com/en/management.html, accessed 5 February 2026.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Media and Campaigning Specialists Join Advisory Board, The Ledbury Group, 2010, accessed 5 February 2026.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Staff reporter, "Mandelson's right-hand man merged firm with business owned by sanctioned Russian bank", Skwawkbox, 15 March 2022, accessed 5 February 2026.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Peter Mandelson, Powerbase.info, powerbase.info/index.php/Peter_Mandelson, accessed 5 February 2026.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, Global Counsel, global-counsel.com/about/our-people/benjamin-wegg-prosser, accessed 5 February 2026.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Benjamin Wegg Prosser, IPPR, ippr.org/profile/benjamin-wegg-prosser, accessed 5 February 2026.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Wegg-Prosser, accessed 5 February 2026.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Benjamin Wegg Prosser, Alchetron, alchetron.com/Benjamin-Wegg-Prosser, accessed 5 February 2026.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, Valdai Club, valdaiclub.com/about/experts/5595, accessed 5 February 2026.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Benjamin Charles WEGG-PROSSER personal appointments, find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/dlszKABwGUeEeCeVWJRXyNQucEw/appointments, accessed 5 February 2026.
  22. ↑ Global Counsel strengthens leadership team, global-counsel.com/node/794, 1 August 2023, accessed 5 February 2026.
  23. ↑ Ruling on Peter Mandelson's firm shows Britain's lobbying laws are a farce, democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ruling-on-peter-mandelsons-firm-global-counsel-lobbying-qatar-tulip-siddiq, accessed 5 February 2026.
  24. ↑ Spotlight turns to FTSE 100 clients of Peter Mandelson's advisory firm after government sacking, City A.M., 12 September 2025, accessed 5 February 2026.
  25. ↑ Labour Seeks Investment Minister After Party Favorite Pulls Out, Bloomberg, 3 September 2024, accessed 5 February 2026.
  26. ↑ Reeves loses pick for investment minister before he even starts, The Telegraph, 3 September 2024, accessed 5 February 2026.
  27. ↑ UK government struggles to appoint new investment minister, Financial Times, 3 September 2024, accessed 5 February 2026.
  28. ↑ Global Counsel and Bien Commun Advisory partner to strengthen French market coverage, global-counsel.com/about/media/news-releases/global-counsel-and-bien-commun-advisory-partner-strengthen-french-market, 6 February 2025, accessed 5 February 2026.
  29. ↑ Global Counsel expands US team with senior appointments, global-counsel.com/about/media/news-releases/global-counsel-expands-us-team-senior-appointments, 28 April 2025, accessed 5 February 2026.
  30. ↑ Global Counsel strengthens European leadership, global-counsel.com/about/media/news-releases/global-counsel-strengthens-european-leadership, 27 August 2025, accessed 5 February 2026.
  31. ↑ Peter Mandelson's lobbying firm hired by company linked to Chinese military, The Guardian, 27 November 2025, accessed 5 February 2026.
  32. ↑ Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, LinkedIn, uk.linkedin.com/in/bweggprosser, accessed 5 February 2026.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Peter Mandelson's advisory firm cuts ties amid Jeffrey Epstein revelations, The Guardian, 13 September 2025, accessed 5 February 2026.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Global Counsel cutting ties to Peter Mandelson, PR Week UK, 16 September 2025, accessed 5 February 2026.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 Mandelson forced out of his own lobbying firm – leaving his future in doubt, The Telegraph, 12 September 2025, accessed 5 February 2026.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Peter Mandelson's lobbying firm tells clients his stake is nearly divested, Financial Times, accessed 5 February 2026.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 'Look out for rich individuals': The deep ties between Mandelson lobbying firm and Epstein, City A.M., accessed 5 February 2026.
  38. ↑ Peter Mandelson's many scandals: A steam bath with a billionaire, an undeclared loan and 'pure poison', The Irish Times, 11 September 2025, accessed 5 February 2026.
  39. ↑ Papers Show Mandelson Sought Visa for Epstein via Deripaska, Bloomberg, 4 February 2026, accessed 5 February 2026.
  40. ↑ Files Show Mandelson Sought Visa for Epstein via Deripaska (1), Bloomberg Law News, accessed 5 February 2026.
  41. ↑ Keir Starmer under pressure from own MPs over Peter Mandelson scandal, The Independent, accessed 5 February 2026.
Retrieved from "https://powerbase.info/index.php?title=Benjamin_Wegg-Prosser&oldid=269057"