Hanover Communications

Hanover Offices, Square de Meeûs 35, Brussels

This article is part of the Lobbying Portal, a sunlight project from Spinwatch.

Hanover Communications is a UK-based PR and lobbying firm founded in 1998 by Charles Lewington. The firm was known as Media Strategy until 2007. It lobbies for a large number of pharmaceutical companies (see clients below).

Controversies, conflicts of interest and the revolving door

'Cash for access'

Hanover was criticised in September 2007 in what was dubbed a 'cash for access' story. A strategy document that Hanover had produced suggested it could organise a trip to Downing Street as part of a £181,000 bid to run the Medical Technology Group, a coalition of industry and patient groups linked to the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI).

According to a report in The Sunday Telegraph, the pitch suggested Hanover would try to secure a picture with Gordon Brown for £5,100. It also claimed that it would seek access to Dawn Primarolo, the Paymaster General. The package was offered for Medical Technology Week, in which a group of patients visits the Treasury, Department of Health and No 10. “We will work to secure photocalls with ministers. The key photocall will be with Gordon Brown,” it says. A document sent to the ABHI also mentions Nicola Murphy, a former adviser to Mr Brown.

Ms Murphy was to join Hanover as an associate director the following month. The pitch says: “As well as ... a five-year spell in the Treasury, Nicola has been working in the Prime Minister’s private parliamentary office for 12 months handling Gordon Brown’s leadership election.”^[1]

Revolving door

Many Hanover staffers have backgrounds in politics.

In April 2014 former Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) policy adviser Alison Woodhouse joined the firm as head of its energy and resources division. A month later Hanover snagged as a senior policy adviser Julia Goldsworthy, who was previously a longstanding Treasury SPaD to Danny Alexander and former shadow Lib Dem, chief secretary to the Treasury. Goldsworthy has been re-selected as Lib Dem candidate for Camborne and Redruth, a seat she lost by just 66 votes to the Tories in 2010. ^[2]

People

Directors

Charles Lewington, founder and MD.
Christian Hierholzer, managing director, Brussels. Former head of the public affairs and healthcare practices and a member of the management team at Weber Shandwick in Brussels and policy adviser Karl-Heinz Florenz, former chair of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee.
Andrew Harrison, director of global healthcare. Former media spokesperson to the Department of Health and deputy head of the civil service team taking the Health Act 1999 through Parliament.
Gavin Megaw, director. Former director of marketing and communications and primary spokesperson at The Football League, board director and head of corporate communications and issues management at Fleishman-Hillard and head of the Conservative party's rapid rebuttal operation.
Laura Swire. Senior Account Director. Chisholm joined in August 2008 from financial sector lobbying firm Cicero and is a former lobbyist at HBOS and environment desk officer in the shadow Conservative cabinet. She was hired to head up a new advisory service for financial clients. In October 2010 she was the lead for new Hanover client Goldman Sachs.
Rhoda Macdonald, director client relationships. Former special adviser to the Rt Hon Helen Lidell.
Sam Graham, director. Formerly an account director at College Hill, account manager at Citigate Public Affairs and researcher for members of the Conservative Party, including Iain Duncan Smith and Liam Fox.

Advisers 2014

Steve Richards, senior adviser. Writer for the Independent, Guardian, Times and Financial Times and presenter for GMTV's The Sunday Programme, channel 4 documentaries and BBC Radio 4's The Week in Westminster.
Julia Goldsworthy, senior policy adviser. Former special adviser from 2010-14 to Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander at the UK Treasury, Lib Dem Member of Parliament for Falmouth and Camborne May 2005-2010 and Lib Dem shadow secretary on Communities and Local Government in 2007. Currently a PPC for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle.
Josh Arnold-Forster, senior adviser. Former special adviser to John Reid MP, Defence Secretary 2005-2006.
Holger Krahmer, senior adviser EU policy. Former German MEP for the Free Democratic Party - The Liberals party between 2004 and 2014. Whilst an MEP, Krahmer was vice-chair of the Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula and a member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America and the Temporary Committee on Climate Change.^[3]
Gonzalo Viña, associate. Former correspondent at Bloomberg focussing on UK politics and economics and correspondent at Dow Jones focussing on foreign exchange, bonds and commodities.^[4]^[5]

Senior team 2015

Aimee Bateas, account director. Formerly of Ketchum Public Relations.^[6]
Katie Blower, associate director. Previously worked for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a Democrat Congressman and an MP in Westminster.
Lucy Budgett(née Lucy Meade), head of retail.
Chris Calland, account director. Has worked on Barack Obama's 2008 Presedential election campaign and commentated on public affairs and PR for BBC World News, Sky News, Al Jazeera English, PRWeek and The Guardian Professional Networks.^[7]
David Cracknell, associate director. Former political editor at the Sunday Times newspaper, director at FD-LLM (a merge between LLM Communications and Financial Dynamics), freelance public affairs consultant specialising in Middle East affairs and founder of Big Tent Communications.^[8]^[9]
Jennifer Garratt, associate. Former head of healthcare at Burson-Marsteller and director and head of international operations at Reynolds-MacKenzie^[10]
Daniel Gilbert, head of technology. Former senior adviser and speechwriter on the Conservative Party’s Business, Innovation and Skills team.
Henry Groundes-Peace, head of financial services. Former research assistant to Lord Fowler, researcher for Anne McIntosh MP and senior parliamentary researcher for Dominic Grieve MP. Is the current chairman of the Conservative in Communications Young Professionals.
Viv Jemmett, deputy head of digital. Previously senior consultant at Bell Pottinger.^[11]
Enda Joyce, associate director. Former head of campaigns for the Conservative Party from 1999-2001 and communications officer at Westminster City Council.^[12]
Rosie Luff, account director. She has also worked for a Member of Parliament in Westminster and assisted the Conservative Party’s Target Seats campaign during the 2010 General Election. Was involved in her father, Peter Luff MP's expenses scandal.
Louise Nathanson, account director. Is also a Councillor for Clapham Common, and a former account executive at Hill & Knowlton and Nexus Communications.^[13]
John Slinger, associate director. Former consultant at Quiller Consultants, founder of Pragmatic Radicalism and has held many roles within the Labour Party, where he is the the press officer of Rugby Constituency Labour Party.^[14]^[15]
Richard Sloggett, associate director. Former parliamentary research assistant to Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP.
John Stanley, associate director. Previously worked as an assistant and speech writer in Parliament, lead researcher to the European Enterprise Institute in Brussels and a senior consultant at Keene Public Affairs.^[16]
Tristan Suffys, account director. Former senior consultant at Weber Shandwick and has worked in the French Embassy in Germany and the German Embassy in Poland.^[17]
Alison Woodhouse, head of energy and resources. Former strategic policy manager at the Department for Energy and Climate Change until April 2014 when she took over as Hanover's head of energy and resources (announced February 2014).
Chris Woods, head of digital. Former group social media manager at Regus.^[18]

Consultants

Revolving Door

Christian Hierholzer, managing director, Brussels. Former head of the public affairs and healthcare practices and a member of the management team at Weber Shandwick in Brussels and policy adviser Karl-Heinz Florenz, former chair of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee.
Andrew Harrison, director of global healthcare. Former media spokesperson to the Department of Health and deputy head of the civil service team taking the Health Act 1999 through Parliament.
Gavin Megaw, director. Former director of marketing and communications and primary spokesperson at The Football League, board director and head of corporate communications and issues management at Fleishman-Hillard and head of the Conservative party's rapid rebuttal operation.
Rhoda Macdonald, director client relationships. Former special adviser to the Rt Hon Helen Lidell.
Sam Graham, director. Formerly an account director at College Hill, account manager at Citigate Public Affairs and researcher for members of the Conservative Party, including Iain Duncan Smith and Liam Fox.
Julia Goldsworthy, senior policy adviser. Former special adviser from 2010-14 to Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander at the UK Treasury, Lib Dem Member of Parliament for Falmouth and Camborne May 2005-2010 and Lib Dem shadow secretary on Communities and Local Government in 2007. Currently a PPC for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle.
Josh Arnold-Forster, senior adviser. Former special adviser to John Reid MP, Defence Secretary 2005-2006.
Katie Blower, previously worked for Department for Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs, a Democrat Congressman and an MP in Westminster.
Daniel Gilbert, former senior adviser and speechwriter on the Conservative Party’s Business, Innovation and Skills team.
Rosie Luff, account director. She has also worked for a Member of Parliament in Westminster and assisted the Conservative Party’s Target Seats campaign during the 2010 General Election. Was involved in her father, Peter Luff MP's expenses scandal.
Henry Groundes-Peace, head of financial services. Former research assistant to Lord Fowler, researcher for Anne McIntosh MP and senior parliamentary researcher for Dominic Grieve MP. Is the current chairman of the Conservative in Communications Young Professionals.
Alison Woodhouse. Former strategic policy manager at the Department for Energy and Climate Change until April 2014 when she took over as Hanover's head of energy and resources (announced February 2014).
Richard Sloggett, associate director. Former parliamentary research assistant to Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP.
Holger Krahmer, senior adviser EU policy. Former German MEP for the Freie Demokratische Partei - Die Liberalen party between 2004 and 2014.

December 2014-February 2015

September 2014-November 2014

June 2014-August 2014

March 2014-May 2014

December 2013-February 2014

September 2013-November 2013

June 2013-August 2013

March 2013-May 2013

December 2012-February 2013

Former staff

Nick King was appointed as special adviser to Culture Minister Maria Miller in October 2012 after working just four months as a senior account director at Hanover Communications.
Rebecca Simon^[28]^[29]
Lucy Gilchrist was appointed a Senior Account director in November 2010 ^[30] and handled clients such as fracking firm Cuadrilla until she left in February 2014 to become head of external affairs at PepsiCo
Sarah Richards
James Gurling
Robert Sullivan
Alessandra McKenna
Louise Fish
Alexa Knight
Sarah Pearson
Jim Baxter, former director. Now global franchise external communications director at GlaxoSmithKline. Has previously held roles at Cohn & Wolfe, Schering-Plough, MSD UK and Tonic Life Communications.^[31]
Andrew Bryne, former head of technology. Is now head of public policy UK & I at transportation firm Uber.^[32]
Kieran O’Connell, former senior consultant. Is now public affairs manager (UK) at Tata Steel.^[33]
Caterina Serenelli, former researcher. Now a consultant at Sermelo.^[34]

Clients

Lobbying for the booze industry

In Sept 2007 drinks giant Diageo hired lobbying firm Hanover Communications as its retained UK public affairs agency, to help it in what Diageo described as "challenging policy environment" - The Government was stepping up its efforts to curb binge-drinking. Diageo is thought to be paying Hanover at least £100,000 a year. Hanover MD Charles Lewington said: ‘We will be helping Diageo to raise awareness of its responsible-drinking activities in government. We will also be advising on ongoing discussions with officials about the best way of promoting responsible consumption.’^[35]

Lobbying for bankers

In October 2010 Goldman Sachs appointed Hanover as 'fresh agency backing in the UK to help it to keep abreast of the coalition government’s plans for the banking sector" according to Public Affair News. Hanover is working alongside Lexington Communications providing UK political consultancy, and Cicero Consulting, which provides Goldman with EU monitoring. Leading the account for Hanover is senior account director Laura Chisholm.^[36]

In April 2011 the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) secured Hanover to raise its profile across Europe. Formed in late 2009, the AFME lobbies national and international governmental institutions on behalf of the financial industry against what it deems to be unnecessary regulation. The account is thought to be worth in excess of six figures annually, and was to be led by director Laura Chisholm. ^[37]

Lobbying for frackers

Hanover handles two high-profile accounts for controversial firm Cuadrilla and Irish shale explorer Tamboran. Both companies also use other lobbying firms. It also lobbies for other members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Unconventional Gas such as Tata Steel.

Client Registers

December 2014-February 2015

September 2014-November 2014

June 2014-August 2014

March 2014-May 2014

3UK, Accenture, Airbus Group, Alliance Medical, American Pharmaceutical Group, Abbot, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen-Cilag Ltd, Lilly, Merk, Pfizer, Amgen, Association of Financial Markets in Europe, Blackberry, Bounty, British Insurance Brokers' Association British Poultry Council, BSkyB, Cuadrilla, Deltex Medical, DHL, EuropaBio, Financial Services Compensation Scheme, Goldman Sachs, H.E.A.R.T. UK, HCA, John Lewis Partnership, Lancaster Investment Management, Lilly UK, Lloyds Banking Group, McKesson, MetLife, Microsoft, MSD, Napp, National Football League, Open Government Partnership, Shire, Tamboran, Tata Consultancy Services, The Crown Estate, UCB, United Health UK/Optum, Valero.^[22]

December 2013-February 2014

September 2013-November 2013

June 2013-August 2013

March 2013-May 2013

December 2012-February 2013

1 June - 31 August 2011

Feb 2009

September 2008

Affiliations

Polis – co-sponsor events^[41]

Contact, References and Resources

Contact

100 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8AL

Website: www.hanovercomms.com

References

↑ Sam Coates, "Denial from Downing St as lobbyist offers trips to No 10", The Times, 24 September 2007, accessed 28 November 2008
↑ By Stephen Tall, Julia Goldsworthy re-selected as Lib Dem candidate for Camborne and Redruth, quits as Danny Alexander’s SpAd, Liberal Democrat Voice, Wed 5th March 2014
↑ Holger Krahmer European Parliament, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Alec Mattinson Bloomberg journalist Gonzalo Vina joins Hanover's reputation practice PR Week, 19 June 2013, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Gonzalo Vina Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Aimee Bateas Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Chris Calland Hanover Communications, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ David Singleton From the lobby to lobbyist Public Affairs News, 1 February 2014, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ David Cracknell Hanover Communications, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Healthcare: The Week in Healthcare PR Week, 15 June 2012, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Viv Jemmett Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Enda Joyce Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Louise Nathanson Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ John Slinger Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ John Slinger Hanover Communications, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ John Stanley Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Tristan Suffys Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Chris Woods Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ ^19.0 ^19.1 Register 1st December 2014 - 28th February 2015 APPC, accessed 9 March 2015
↑ ^20.0 ^20.1 Register 1st September 2014 - 30th November 2014 APPC, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ ^21.0 ^21.1 1st June 2014 - 31st August 2014 APPC, accessed 16 October 2014
↑ ^22.0 ^22.1 APPC Register for 1st March 2014 - 31st May 2014Association of Professional Political Consultants accessed September 2014
↑ ^23.0 ^23.1 Consultancies – December 2013 to February 2014 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014
↑ ^24.0 ^24.1 Consultancies - September 2013 to November 2013 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014
↑ ^25.0 ^25.1 Consultancies - June 2013 to August 2013 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014
↑ ^26.0 ^26.1 Consultancies - March 2013 to May 2013 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014
↑ ^27.0 ^27.1 Consultancies - December 2012 to February 2013 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014
↑ The Week in Lobbying. Hired as a new senior consultant from Labour Friends of Israel (LFI).Simon was deputy director at LFI. (Accessed: 13 October 2008).
↑ Hanover Website Our people accessed 24th September 2008
↑ Hanover Lucy Gilchrist - Senior Account Director, accessed 25 February 2011
↑ Jim Baxter Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Andrew Bryne Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Kieran O'Connell Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Caterina Serenelli Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015
↑ Diageo hires Hanover as alcohol concerns grow, PR Week, 20 Sept 2007
↑ [pointer=10&cHash=01c19bd27c Goldman Sachs brings in Hanover for public affairs support], Public Affairs News, 4 October 2010, accessed 10 March 2011
↑ Alec Mattinson, Association for Financial Markets in Europe brings in Hanover to raise EU profile prweek.com, 22 March 2011,
↑ APPC register, quarter to 31 August 2011, acc 6 October 2011
↑ APPC register, to Nov 2009
↑ Hanover Website What we do accessed 24th September 2008
↑ Co-Sponsored event: talk by Jeremy Hunt, 29 October 2008

Back to Lobbying Portal

[1] Sam Coates, "Denial from Downing St as lobbyist offers trips to No 10", The Times, 24 September 2007, accessed 28 November 2008

[2] By Stephen Tall, Julia Goldsworthy re-selected as Lib Dem candidate for Camborne and Redruth, quits as Danny Alexander’s SpAd, Liberal Democrat Voice, Wed 5th March 2014

[3] Holger Krahmer European Parliament, accessed 15 January 2015

[4] Alec Mattinson Bloomberg journalist Gonzalo Vina joins Hanover's reputation practice PR Week, 19 June 2013, accessed 15 January 2015

[5] Gonzalo Vina Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[6] Aimee Bateas Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[7] Chris Calland Hanover Communications, accessed 15 January 2015

[8] David Singleton From the lobby to lobbyist Public Affairs News, 1 February 2014, accessed 15 January 2015

[9] David Cracknell Hanover Communications, accessed 15 January 2015

[10] Healthcare: The Week in Healthcare PR Week, 15 June 2012, accessed 15 January 2015

[11] Viv Jemmett Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[12] Enda Joyce Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[13] Louise Nathanson Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[14] John Slinger Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[15] John Slinger Hanover Communications, accessed 15 January 2015

[16] John Stanley Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[17] Tristan Suffys Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[18] Chris Woods Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[Dec14-19] 19.0 ^19.1 Register 1st December 2014 - 28th February 2015 APPC, accessed 9 March 2015

[sept-20] 20.0 ^20.1 Register 1st September 2014 - 30th November 2014 APPC, accessed 15 January 2015

[June-21] 21.0 ^21.1 1st June 2014 - 31st August 2014 APPC, accessed 16 October 2014

[MP-22] 22.0 ^22.1 APPC Register for 1st March 2014 - 31st May 2014Association of Professional Political Consultants accessed September 2014

[MR-23] 23.0 ^23.1 Consultancies – December 2013 to February 2014 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014

[MS-24] 24.0 ^24.1 Consultancies - September 2013 to November 2013 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014

[MT-25] 25.0 ^25.1 Consultancies - June 2013 to August 2013 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014

[MU-26] 26.0 ^26.1 Consultancies - March 2013 to May 2013 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014

[MV-27] 27.0 ^27.1 Consultancies - December 2012 to February 2013 PRCA, accessed 30 September 2014

[28] The Week in Lobbying. Hired as a new senior consultant from Labour Friends of Israel (LFI).Simon was deputy director at LFI. (Accessed: 13 October 2008).

[29] Hanover Website Our people accessed 24th September 2008

[30] Hanover Lucy Gilchrist - Senior Account Director, accessed 25 February 2011

[31] Jim Baxter Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[32] Andrew Bryne Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[33] Kieran O'Connell Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[34] Caterina Serenelli Linkedin, accessed 15 January 2015

[35] Diageo hires Hanover as alcohol concerns grow, PR Week, 20 Sept 2007

[36] [pointer=10&cHash=01c19bd27c Goldman Sachs brings in Hanover for public affairs support], Public Affairs News, 4 October 2010, accessed 10 March 2011

[37] Alec Mattinson, Association for Financial Markets in Europe brings in Hanover to raise EU profile prweek.com, 22 March 2011,

[38] APPC register, quarter to 31 August 2011, acc 6 October 2011

[39] APPC register, to Nov 2009

[40] Hanover Website What we do accessed 24th September 2008

[41] Co-Sponsored event: talk by Jeremy Hunt, 29 October 2008

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Hanover Communications

Contents

Controversies, conflicts of interest and the revolving door

'Cash for access'

Revolving door

People

Directors

Advisers 2014

Senior team 2015

Consultants

Revolving Door

December 2014-February 2015

September 2014-November 2014

June 2014-August 2014

March 2014-May 2014

December 2013-February 2014

September 2013-November 2013

June 2013-August 2013

March 2013-May 2013

December 2012-February 2013

Former staff

Clients

Lobbying for the booze industry

Lobbying for bankers

Lobbying for frackers

Client Registers

December 2014-February 2015

September 2014-November 2014

June 2014-August 2014

March 2014-May 2014

December 2013-February 2014

September 2013-November 2013

June 2013-August 2013

March 2013-May 2013

December 2012-February 2013

1 June - 31 August 2011

Feb 2009

September 2008

Affiliations

Contact, References and Resources

Contact

References

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