London-based agency Westbourne Communications has announced the appointment of Rt Hon Jacqui Smith as the Chair of its Public Affairs practice. Former Home Secretary Smith was the third woman in the UK to hold one of the ‘great offices’ of state.
Smith will chair the political judging panel of Westbourne's Change Opinion Awards 2015 and provide strategic advice on a number of Westbourne's accounts. Her appointment adds to Westbourne's Labour credentials following the hiring last year of account director Ben Garratt, from Labour Friends of Israel and James Garland, as a Partner.
She brings with her thirty years of involvement in the Labour party, having held a number of significant roles in government, including Schools Minister and Chief Whip, before being appointed Home Secretary in 2007 under the Gordon Brown government.
Smith has spent much of her time since leaving Westminster in 2010 as a regular face on TV screens as a political pundit, but is also Chair of the NHS Teaching Hospital Trust, as well as providing advice and training on a wealth of political issues internationally.
Westbourne Director James Bethell said: “Jacqui brings with her a wealth of knowledge and understanding about politics. She is highly respected and her cool head under pressure will help our clients navigate the stormy political seas of the next few months. We are fantastically excited to have her on board.'
Rt Hon Ms Smith said: 'I'm delighted to be joining the successful Westbourne team at such an exciting and uncertain time in the political world. My political life, both inside and beyond government has always focussed on campaigning, making the case for change and policy innovation. This is why I am so looking forward to supporting Westbourne's innovative approach to delivering for clients and engaging policy makers.'