Former Minister, James O’Shaughnessy, re-joins Portland

Former Minister, James O’Shaughnessy, re-joins Portland

Conservative Peer, James O’Shaughnessy, is returning to Portland as a member of the firm’s Advisory Council.

Lord O’Shaughnessy is re-joining Portland in a new role, having worked with the agency between 2012 and 2015 as Chief Policy Adviser. He was appointed to the House of Lords by former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015 and served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care between 2016 and 2018. In government, he was the ministerial lead on initiatives such as NHS Digital, the Life Science Industrial Strategy and preparing the health and care system for Brexit.

Between 2007 and 2011 he was Director of Policy for David Cameron, in Opposition and then in No.10, and was responsible for drafting the Conservative Party’s successful 2010 general election manifesto.

At Portland, O’Shaughnessy will support the firm’s senior management team with the growth and development of the agency internationally as well as in the UK. He will work alongside other senior advisors such as former Freud’s chief executive, Nicola Howson, and Alastair Campbell.

Mark Flanagan, UK Managing Director at Portland said: “We are so pleased to welcome James back to Portland after a successful two years in Government. The agency has grown significantly in the time he has been away with a broader range of capabilities and a headcount of over 250 people across six countries. James brings great experience and wisdom to Portland as we continue to expand and refresh”.

Portland launched a new financial communications practice in 2018 and recently hired Mary Pollard from Diageo, as a Partner, to lead a new Purpose offering.

O’Shaughnessy will officially re-join Portland on 1st July 2019.

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