James Kirkup joins Apella Advisors as Partner

18 May 2023 (London)

Apella Advisors (“Apella”), the strategic communications consultancy, has appointed James Kirkup as a new Partner.

James joins Apella in September from the Social Market Foundation (“SMF”), which he has led as Director since 2017. The SMF is Britain’s foremost centre-ground think-tank, which sets the public policy agenda on markets, regulation, financial services and the role of business in society. James comments on politics and policy for broadcasters and national newspapers, and writes regularly for The Times, The Spectator and other publications.

Prior to the SMF James worked at The Daily Telegraph as Political Editor and Executive Editor and in similar roles at The Scotsman and at Bloomberg. He began his career at Westminster in 1994 as a parliamentary researcher before studying politics at Edinburgh University then becoming a parliamentary Lobby journalist in 2001.

James will work closely with Liz Lynch, who joined Apella in October 2022 from TSB Bank, where she was Head of External Affairs and Public Policy. They will develop the firm’s public and regulatory affairs capability, while supporting its broader strategic communications offer. James’ appointment complements Apella’s experience, expertise, and data-led insights that help organisations build, protect, and enhance their reputation. 

James Kirkup added: “I’m excited to be joining Apella, an organisation built on high-quality analysis and actionable insights. At the SMF I’ve worked with numerous companies at the meeting-point between business and public policy. As a journalist and columnist, I’ve dealt with countless policymakers to explore and expand their understanding of complex issues. I’m looking forward to putting that experience to use at Apella.”

Julian Hanson-Smith, Chair of Apella, said: “We’re delighted that James is joining us to help shape Apella’s development of a first-class and differentiated public and regulatory affairs offer. His unique background, having grown SMF to its current pre-eminent position, as a policy and business commentator and before that as a journalist, will immediately help our clients develop and deliver their strategies.”

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Apella is a distinctive strategic communications consultancy that helps organisations grow and succeed by making changes for the better, using the power of purpose, reputation, and communications. The firm works with clients to devise and deliver engagement strategies for a broad range of stakeholders and those that influence them, including the media, internal audiences, policymakers, and regulators.

Ends

Contact:

James Kirkup, Partner, Apella Advisors
Email: jk@apellaadvisors.com