Sovereign Strategy Ltd

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Sovereign Strategy offices, 81A Rue de la Loi, Brussels

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Sovereign Strategy Ltd. is a UK policy and lobbying shop, with strong connections to the Labour Party. Alan J Donnelly, Sovereign's Executive Chairman, is a former Labour Party Leader in the European Parliament [1].

History

According to Donnelly:

The company has grown a lot over the previous five years, we started off with a £40,000 contract, operating from a converted bathroom in my house in South Shields, and now we've got offices in Brussels and Trafalgar Square, as well as one in the north east. We're expanding our office in Brussels and we have a new affiliate in the USA.[2]

More recently, Donnelly has been a frequent visitor to the Gulf, including Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.[3]

In the past, Sovereign has made much of its links with the Labour Party. In November 2004, every photograph on its website was either of a senior Labour Party figure, or taken at a Labour Party event.[4].


Employing Parliamentarians

In February 2008 it was reported that former cabinet minister, Lord Jack Cunningham and Sovereign Strategy, of which he was a director, had been paid to give political advice by the City of London Corporation. He was hired by the corporation in September 2006 and in the first year, the corporation paid £ 48,000 for this work to him and Sovereign Strategy.

According to documents obtained by the Guardian under the Freedom of Information Act, Cunningham gave the corporation confidential advice about two bills going through parliament which affected the authority. In one of the bills, the corporation opposed plans to give Ken Livingstone, the London mayor, greater powers in planning matters on the grounds that they would damage the City. He also faced questions over his apparent failure to declare his consultancy with the corporation in the House of Lords register of financial interests.[5]

The entry in the Register of Members's Interests for Tony Blair's election coordinator Alan Milburn also reveals that sometime in 2004, Sovereign Strategy paid him between £5,001 and £10,000 for a "speech and follow-up internal roundtable" [6].

Donations to the Tories

In 2011 Sovereign reportedly gave £11,000 to the Tories. The Daily Mail criticised the Conservative Party for risking scandal by accepting 'piddling bungs' lobbyists, in this case a firm that represents the Kuwait National Petroleum Company and a business run by one of Kuwait’s richest families. [7]

Pro-nuclear work

In February 2010 the lobbying firm was accused by The Times of involvement in a "cash-for-access" operation to serving Labour ministers. The North East Economic Forum, run by Sovereign Strategy, organised a networking event with three ministers on the margins of a regional Cabinet meeting. Businessmen were charged £5,000 to attend. [8]

The Sunday Times reported in 2006:

David Miliband, the new environment secretary, is embroiled in a sleaze row this weekend over his links to a nuclear industry lobbyist.
The lobbyist — Alan Donnelly — chairs the minister’s local constituency party. He also helped to pay for the refurbishment of Miliband’s constituency party headquarters in Newcastle. The cabinet minister has appeared at events organised by the lobbyist...
Sovereign Strategy, Donnelly’s lobbying firm, represents the US multinational Fluor, one of the world’s biggest nuclear companies, which is hoping to win a stake in the £70 billion British nuclear waste market.
Senior Fluor executives and government ministers, including Blair, have attended events organised by Sovereign Strategy. The lobbying firm’s marketing material boasts that it provides “guidance on legislation issues in the field of environmental performance”.
Donnelly also founded and helps to run the Transatlantic Nuclear Energy Forum (Tanef), an organisation that aims to foster “strong relationships” between nuclear power companies and governments.
Documents show that Sovereign Strategy paid £2,000 for building works at a terraced house in South Shields, Tyneside, which serves as headquarters of the local Labour party and contains Miliband’s constituency office.
The building was refurbished last year although Donnelly said yesterday that his company’s money was used only for improvements to kitchen facilities used by party workers. He had “no idea” whether Miliband used the facilities.
The payment has been declared to the Electoral Commission, which oversees donations and election expenses, but Miliband has not declared it in the Commons’ register of members’ interests as is normal practice for MPs receiving financial help in their constituencies.
The Commons rules state that any “donation received by a member’s constituency association which is linked either to candidacy at an election or to membership of the House” must be registered.[9]

Formula one racing controversy

In an interview with Euractiv in May 2005, Donnelly was asked:

What's your official involvement with Bernie Ecclestone (Chief Executive, Formula One Management Ltd), and Max Mosley (President, Federation Internationale De l'Automobile), and how's life at the centre of F1 politics?

Donnelly:

I'm the official representative for Max to Formula One. I go to a lot of the grands prix, and basically my job is to brief Max on the politics in the paddock, and, as I say, that's probably more political than most national parliaments. I also advise him on the politics in the host country and how that affects the races. The FIA President meets the top ministers from the countries where F1 lands. We also give the FIA a full government and European affairs service.[10]
Richard Caborn, the sports minister, has been fantastically supportive of the project. He spent a lot of time brokering agreements between different people. The East Midlands Development Agency has also been wonderful in terms of viewing Silverstone as a potential centre of excellence. We're pretty hopeful that the message we've tried to put across, that Silverstone needs development, has been understood.

In response to a FoI request on meeting between the DCMS and Sovereign Strategy in the previous year (issued 19 September 2005) the DCMS stated:

'there were two meetings between Richard Caborn and Alan Donnelly during the past 12 months: 23 November 2004 and 11 July 2005. Discussions at these meetings covered the following issues: a) an update on Silverstone and the potential development of the site b) the future of Formula 1 in the UK; and c) safety in motorsport.[11]

People

Key Members:

  • Alan J Donnelly, executive chairman and founder of Sovereign. Was Labour Party Leader in the European Parliament, and served as President of the Parliamentary Committee for Relations with the US Congress.
  • Arlene McCarthy, deputy chair of European Strategy. Elected to the European Parliament in 1994, became the first woman Labour MEP to Chair the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee.
  • Iain Malcolm, deputy chair. Previously chief of staff to the Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party.
  • Michael Quigley, chief executive. Has worked in Brussels on EU affairs and has worked in both the European Commission and European Parliament.
  • Rob Burlison, managing director, London
  • Richard Woods, special advisor to the executive chairman. Founder and director of ARW Communications.
  • Charlotte Milligan Associate Director. Previously Political Editor and Head of Current Affairs at ITV Yorkshire and has also been Head of News output. Set up Maypole Media.
  • Jonothon Donnelly, Associate Director. Previously worked in the European Parliament as a Parliamentary Assistant and has also worked at constituency level.
  • Horatio Mortimer, strategic consultant. Has worked in the Global Dimensions programme at LSE and at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
  • Dominic Hallas, account manager. Worked for the Liberal Democrats as a campaigns strategist
  • Vincent Carroll, account executive. An active Labour Party member and a local councillor in the London Borough of Haringey
  • Christopher Morris, account executive. Worked for a Conservative minister within the coalition government and in Brussels in the European Parliament, focusing on employment and financial regulation
  • Andrew Kelly, company secretary. Was an adviser to Donnelly during his time as a MEP
  • Neva Brahmbhatt, London office manager. Prior to joining Sovereign was the PA to the Secretary General of the European Parliamentary Labour Party from 1996 to 1999.

September 2014-November 2014

Neva Brahmbhatt | Robert Burlison | Vincent Carroll | Alan Donnelly | Jonothan Donnelly | Dominic Hallas | Andrew Kelly | Iain Malcolm | Charlotte Milligan | Christopher Morris | Horatio Mortimer | Michael Quigley | Michael Thomas[12]

June 2014-August 2014

Andrea Boffi | Neva Brahmbhatt | Robert Burlison | Vincent Carroll | Alan Donnelly | Jonothan Donnelly | Dominic Hallas | Andrew Kelly | Iain Malcolm | Charlotte Milligan | Christopher Morris | Horatio Mortimer | Michael Quigley | Michael Thomas[13]

March 2014-May 2014

Andrea Boffi | Neva Brahmbhatt | Robert Burlison | Vincent Carroll | Alan Donnelly | Jonothan Donnelly | Dominic Hallas | Andrew Kelly | Iain Malcolm | Charlotte Milligan | Christopher Morris | Horatio Mortimer | Michael Quigley | Shayan Saeidi | Michael Thomas[14]

2008

Alan J Donnelly | Andrew Kelly | Iain Malcolm | Neva Brahmbhatt | Hugh Morgan-Williams | Carole Tongue | Leslie Butterfield | Walter Brinkmann | Michael Lloyd | Professor Tom Donnelly | Rudolf Beger | Cesar Scigliano | Jane Nottage | John Midgley | Alex Johnson | Charlotte Milligan | Peter Liddell-Grainger | Jolyon Kimble | Jonothon Donnelly | Paul Forrest | Rory O'Neill[15]

Former people

  • Arlene McCarthy Socialist MEP on the board until 2005, has worked for the front group Innovation and Creativity Group
  • Lady Olga Maitland Former consultant, Former Member of Parliament for Sutton and Cheam (1992-1997) Lady Olga Maitland is respected in the areas of both Politics and Journalism. Lady Olga is a specialist on the Middle East and International affairs in general. Founder and chair of Families for Defence and President of the Defence Security Forum.
  • Rt Hon The Lord Jack Cunningham of Felling, Former Non Executive Director As a senior Member of Parliament Jack Cunningham has held many prominent positions within both Opposition and Government. He joins the Board to advise the Executive Management Team on international, commercial affairs.
  • Freddie Fletcher Deputy Chairman, Chief Executive of Newcastle United Football Club until May 2000. Consultant, Mercer Street Marketing Consulting, Non-Executive Director of Home Housing and Non-Executive Director of Metnor Plc.
  • Mark Nellist Head of North East Operations Former Head of Communications to the Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party. Has considerable experience in local and national government affairs.
  • Baroness Billingham Non-Executive Director Prominent member of The House of Lords and former MEP for Northampton and Blaby. Informal spokesperson for the Labour party on culture, media and sport. Was a member of the European Select Committee until 2005.
  • Alan Davidson Associate Director After working in the Labour Party's Corporate Relations and Fundraising unit, Alan was asked to set up the London public affairs operation of a US law firm. As well as establishing the UK company and office, he oversaw the press monitoring for clients' European matters and advised senior executives on political and media issues.
  • Carole Tongue Associate Director Former Member of the European Parliament and a former Parliamentary spokesperson on Media, Broadcasting, Education and Sport. Honorary Doctorate, University of Lincoln. Member of the UNESCO National Committee on Communication and Information Visiting Professor, University of the Arts
  • Hugh Morgan-Williams Associate Director A committed European with wide media, manufacturing and service sector business interests. A national figure in a diverse range of business-led organisations.
  • Leslie Butterfield Associate Director Founder of Butterfield8, the strategic brand consultancy. Leslie is one of the UK advertising industry's most respected strategists.
  • Walter Brinkmann Non-Executive Director Over the last ten years created, built and managed for the Coca-Cola Company their European Affairs Office in Brussels and a European governmental affairs network within the EU and the candidate countries.
  • Michael Lloyd MA (Cantab) Associate Director Previously an Economic Advisor to the European Parliament on economic and monetary union. Deputy Director with responsibility for public policy and for the Alliance of Maritime Regional Interests in Europe (AMRIE).
  • Professor Tom Donnelly Associate Director Special Advisor on Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Public Safety.
  • Rudolf Beger Associate Director Senior consultant with vast experience in a number of key strategic fields including oil, chemical, automotive and financial services.
  • Cesar Scigliano Associate Director After graduating in marketing, Cesar Scigliano developed a diverse career in business management, foreign trade partnerships, industrial and commercial promotion. He has worked with the European Commission and many of the top companies, trade associations and trades unions in Brazil.
  • Jane Nottage Associate Director Jane Nottage is an international PR and media consultant specializing in Formula One and the car industry and advising several Formula One sponsors on their strategic communications programs.
  • John Midgley
  • Alex Johnson
  • Peter Liddell-Grainger
  • Paul Forrest
  • Rory O'Neill

Clients

September 2014-November 2014

Bloomberg LP | Cantor Fitzgerald | EUSLBC | Intuit | MAXIMUS | Meridiam | North East Economic Forum | Teesside University | TMT | Tyne Tunnels 2 | Wavetricity[16]

June 2014-August 2014

Bloomberg LP | Cantor Fitzgerald | EUSLBC | InnoTech Summit | Intuit | MAXIMUS | Meridiam | North East Economic Forum | Teesside University | TMT | Tyne Tunnels 2[13]

March 2014-May 2014

Bloomberg LP | Cantor Fitzgerald | EUSLBC | InnoTech Summit | Intuit | MAXIMUS | Meridiam | North East Economic Forum | Teesside University | TMT | Tyne Tunnels 2[14]

2010-2011

December 2008

Bloomberg LP | Federation Internationale de L’Automobile | MWH | Nexus | The NorthEast Economic Forum | Westinghouse Electric | NStar | Proctor & Gamble | The City of London | Marine Current Turbines | Northumbria University | Intuit | CES Government 2009 | ARM Ltd | Transatlantic Nuclear Energy Forum | A & P Ports and Properties | The Bukhamseen Group | Premier Waste Management | Formula One Management[18]

Older client lists / Previous clients

From Sovereign's website as of 18 November, 2004 [1]:

Other clients

Contact information

London office: [20]

60 Trafalgar Square,
London,
WC2N 5DS.
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7930 6353
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7839 4564
Email: alan.donnelly AT sovereignstrategy.com
Website: http://www.sovereignstrategy.com/

Notes

  1. ↑ Sovereign Strategy website, accessed 2004
  2. ↑ Interview with Alan Donnelly, Executive Chairman of Sovereign Strategy Euractiv, Published: Tuesday 10 May 2005
  3. ↑ Sovereign Strategy In The Gulf
  4. ↑ Sovereign Strategy website, November 2004
  5. ↑ David Hencke and Rob EvansEx-minister is paid to secure meetings with government Guardian, Feb 2008
  6. ↑ They Work for You
  7. ↑ Ephraim Hardcastle column, Daily Mail online, November 2011
  8. ↑ Andrew Gilligan, How Labour's 'favourite lobbyist' is pushing hacking campaign, The Telegraphy, 24 Jul 2011, accessed 20 May 2012
  9. ↑ Robert Winnett, Whitehall Correspondent Revealed: minister's links to nuclear lobby, Sunday Times, May 14, 2006
  10. ↑ Interview with Alan Donnelly, Executive Chairman of Sovereign Strategy Euractiv, Published: Tuesday 10 May 2005
  11. ↑ DCMS Freedom of Information Requests Meetings Between Ministers and Sovereign Strategy 19/09/2005
  12. ↑ Register 1st September 2014 - 30th November 2014 APPC, accessed 26 January 2015
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Register 1st June 2014 - 31st August 2014 APPC, accessed 17 October 2014
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 APPC Register for 1st March 2014 - 31st May 2014, accessed September 2014
  15. ↑ APPC register, accessed Dec 2008
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named sept14"
  17. ↑ APPC Register Entry for 30 November 2010 to 28 February 2011
  18. ↑ APPC register to August 2008
  19. ↑ Clients of Sovereign looked after by Carole Tongue. Information from Carole Tongue 8 December 2007
  20. ↑ Sovereign Strategy website

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