James O'Shaughnessy

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

James O'Shaughnessy joined Portland Communications in January 2012 as "chief policy adviser", a newly created position. He is also a visiting fellow at the think tank Policy Exchange and a director at Mayforth Consulting, a 'start-up education, policy and research consultancy'.

O'Shaughnessy was UK prime minister David Cameron’s former director of policy between 2007 and 2011, and a key figure in drafting the last Conservative manifesto.

Valuable insights for Portland's clients

This article is part of the Revolving Door project of Spinwatch.

A statement issued by Portland said he would “advise clients on the priorities of the coalition and in particular the Conservative party”. The Financial Times commented that, "His insights are likely to be valuable to Portland’s clients, which include Google, Apple, McDonalds, Vodafone and BAE Systems, given his insider’s view not only of Conservative thinking but also that of the Liberal Democrats.

CV

• Director, Mayforth Consulting, January 2012 – Present, London, United Kingdom
• Chief Policy Adviser, Portland Communications, January 2012 – Present (1 month)
• Visiting Fellow, Policy Exchange, January 2012 – Present
• Director of Policy to the Prime Minister, No.10 Downing Street,
• Head of Policy and Research, Conservative Party, September 2007 – May 2010 (2 years 9 months)
• Deputy Director, Policy Exchange, June 2004 – September 2007 (3 years 4 months)
• Head of Research, LLM Communications, June 2003 – May 2004 (1 year) London,
• Special Adviser, Education and Skills, Conservative Party, June 2001 – May 2003 (2 years) London

Affiliations

• David Cameron
• Conservative Party
• Policy Exchange - former roles as deputy director and chief researcher