Policy Connect

According to their own account:

Policy Connect is a not for profit organisation which bridges Parliament and industry to promote effective policy in five key areas: Skills, Environment, Health, Design & Sustainability. Established in 1995, Policy Connect has developed a niche position within the policy-making process, working across the political spectrum with parliamentarians and decision-makers.

This and their activities suggest that Policy Connect is a lobbying outfit which helps clients to get close to decision makers.

Policy Connect deals with All-Party Parliamentary Groups by bringing their cause to the attention of MP's and lobbying to have the groups concerns raised in Parliament. All Party Groups are an amalgamation of MPs from across the political spectrum uniting over a particular subject. These groups in theory have no official political power over legislation, but are extremely influential in their given topic.

One of the All Party Groups that Policy Connect deals with is the Associate Parliamentary Health Group. This group is comprised of both private institutions, MPs, professors and other individuals with connections to the health sector. The group aims to inform poilcy makers with up to date information about the health sector through publications and various events.

History

Policy Connect was co-founded by Barry Sheerman MP, a Labour politician for Huddersfield. Since it's establishment, Policy Connect has worked with parliamentarians and decision makers to ensure that positive relationships between key sectors and parliament are maintained and that the economy remains competitive yet sustainable. Policy Connect has done this through the production of research and policy reports, sharing latest policy with all stakeholders and by running events which allow greater communication between different sectors, experts and stakeholders.

People

Policy Connect is formed by a 9 member board, as well as 15 other team members, all with a range of knowledge and experience in the private and public sector.

Board Members

• John Cox
• Duncan Eaton
• Jacqui Henderson CBE
• Peter Jones OBE
• Phil Kirby
• Clare Morley
• Les Pyle
• Lynva Russell (Chief Executive)
• Barry Sheerman MP (Co-founder and Chairman)

Team Members

As at February 2010:

• Lynva Russell - Chief Executive, Policy Connect
• Nicki Williams - Office Manager, Policy Connect
• Daniel Golding - Communications Manager
• Natasha Adade - Events and Admin, Co-ordinator Policy Connect
• James Epps - Skills Manager
• Christopher Hall - Researcher & Project Co-ordinator in May 2009
• Liane Cresswell - Researcher & Project Co-ordinator
• Philip Armstrong - Project Co-ordinator, Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group
• Hayley Thomas - Project Co-ordinator, Skills team
• Sally Percy - Manager, Associate Parliamentary Health Group
• Jocelyn Bailey - Manager, Design & Innovation
• Vihelm Oberg - Head of Sustainability
• Leo Trinick - Project Manager, Westminster Sustainable Business Forum
• Kate Munro - Project Manager, Carbon Connect & Strategic Waste Forum
• Sarah Griffin - Manager, Chronic Pain Policy Coalition & All-Party Parliamentary Group on Chronic Pain

Lobbying groups

Policy Connect runs a number of Parliamentary lobby and policy discussion groups:

• Associate Parliamentary Group for Design and Innovation
• Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group
• Chronic Pain Policy Coalition.
• Associate Parliamentary Health Group (APHG)
• The Skills Commission, a select group of key individuals in the skills sector which acts as a steering body to the National Skills Forum and the Associate Parliamentary Skills Group
• Strategic Waste Forum
• Westminster Sustainable Business Forum

Contact Details

POLICY CONNECT LIMITED

CAN Mezzanine

32-36 Loman Street

Southwark

London

SE1 0EH

Company No. 03117836