Priti Patel

Priti Patel has been the Conservative MP for the newly created constituency of Witham in Essex since the 2010 general election.

Patel worked at PR firm Weber Shandwick from 2000 to 2003 and has also been deputy press secretary to ex-Tory leader William Hague. Patel rejoined Weber Shandwick in December 2007 from drinks company Diageo, (where she'd shaped a global strategy on responsible drinking).

Promoting the City's interests

In April 2009, Weber Shandwick UK was hired by International Financial Services London, now known as TheCityUK to promote the interests of the financial services sector in the City of London, for example on "key issues such as keeping markets open in the [then] current global crisis". IFSL's press release announced that the account would be supported by Priti Patel, then "Director, Weber Shandwick Public Affairs" who will "provide additional counsel". Patel is now a Conservative MP. The then CEO of IFSL said: "Bringing the team at Weber Shandwick on board will help us establish IFSL's voice in the public debate on how financial services companies can best navigate the currently troubled economic waters." (Note the link to the IFSL press release is broken; Weber Shandwick's press release was changed in the run up to the 2010 general election, with Priti Patel's name removed. Patel's election campaign focused on her support for small business. According to her campaign website: “Her career outside of politics means she has an innate understanding about the issues faced by small businesses”).