PLMR bolsters senior team with appointment of Reform UK adviser

PLMR has expanded its cross-party public affairs advisory team with the appointment of Kirsty Walmsley, former Head of Candidates and former Campaign Director for Wales at Reform UK.

Kirsty joins PLMR’s award-winning public affairs practice where she will provide strategic counsel and insight on Reform UK and how clients can engage constructively with the party as it develops its policy platform. Kirsty joins PLMR’s team of advisers who bring with them decades of party-political experience, including for both Labour and the Conservatives.  

2026 marks an important year for Nigel Farage’s party – with expectations of significant gains across May’s devolved (Welsh and Scottish) and local government elections. PLMR’s Road to 2029 polling - in partnership with Electoral Calculus - continues to show significant support for Reform UK. Our latest findings, published in January 2026, put Reform UK out in front on 335 seats (securing a small majority).  

Having joined Reform UK in 2021, Kirsty has played a key role in the growth and reach of the party, notably in her roles as Head of Candidates and as Campaign Director for Wales, where her work has helped position the party for electoral success in the upcoming Senedd elections. More broadly, Kirsty spent time as Reform UK’s Education Policy Development Group and has acted as an election agent for senior figures within the party.  

Simon Darby, Head of Public Affairs at PLMR, said:

“We’re delighted that Kirsty is joining us at such a critical and rapidly changing time in UK politics. The growth of Reform UK is one of the more remarkable trends of recent times and poses significant questions for businesses, charities, and trade bodies. With the party already in control of numerous local and combined authorities – and tipped to make significant gains at May’s devolved and local elections – it is important that organisations understand the party and the direction it is headed in. Kirsty’s appointment to our team of cross-party advisers ensures PLMR is continuing to provide counsel of the highest quality to the organisations we work with.”

Kirsty Walmlsey, PLMR Adviser, said:

“I am delighted to be joining PLMR as an adviser. PLMR is one of the leading public affairs companies in the UK, with an outstanding reputation for strategic insight, creative campaigning and delivering real results for clients. I’m excited to bring my experience to such a dynamic and talented team and look forward to helping drive the next chapter of their success.”