David joined Hawthorn from the Public and Government Affairs team at Edelman, where he advised a range of clients in sectors including agri-tech, food manufacturing, pensions and trade.
From 2019-2021, David was Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip. During this period he advised on the passage of hundreds of pieces of legislation, much of it crucial to EU exit and the pandemic response. His brief also included the sensitive disciplinary and party management functions undertaken in the Whips’ Office. In this role he developed deep expertise both in the policymaking process, and in the mechanisms by which legislation is drafted, scrutinised, amended and passed into statute. He was also closely involved in the process of regulatory reform.
After leaving the Whips’ Office, David was Special Adviser in two Government Departments, overseeing legislative strategy and parliamentary engagement; first at the Northern Ireland Office and later at the Ministry of Justice. Prior to working in Government, he spent years working in the House of Commons.
Joe has a passion for and expertise in global public affairs, helping large multinationals to understand and navigate complex and fast-moving policy and regulatory systems. Within this, he specialises in the FMCG sector, including food and beverage, plastics and packaging and climate and energy. During his career he has supported such companies as Coca-Cola, Mars Wrigley, Sainsbury’s, Ørsted, McCormick & Co and Associated British Foods with their communications and public affairs challenges. He is an active member of the Labour in Communications policy networks for both health and social care and food and environment.
Joe completed his History BA and Historical Research MA at the University of Sheffield, with his Master’s dissertation focusing on the intersection of the American Advertising Industry with wider society and politics in the 1950s and 1960s. He maintains a keen interest in modern political and social history, as well as being a keen sportsman.
Cai Wilshaw is an Associate Director in public affairs at Hawthorn Advisors. Prior to this role, he was the Account Director for HOUND Global’s PR efforts for the Betfair Exchange’s UK and US Election markets.
He has been involved in Labour Party politics in Westminster and in Wales for over a decade, and regularly appears on the BBC and GB News as a Labour political commentator.
He has spent much of his career with The Economist, where his most recent role was as a Senior Programming Editor, and Head of Event Content for the Innovation Quotient programme. In the role he worked with senior politicians and C-level executives at some of the world’s largest companies and startups, including with Ray Dalio, Lloyd Blankfein, Arianna Huffington, Indra Nooyi and David Rubenstein. Before this, he was a Producer with the Financial Times’ TNW, and the Head of External Affairs at PinkNews.
Mark Burr leads the Public Affairs team at Hawthorn, covering government relations, political engagement and campaigns, policy development and messaging, and regulation. He advises individuals and corporates on how to achieve positive policy outcomes and navigate and understand the political climate, putting this insight to effective use on behalf of clients.
Mark uses political intelligence, insights, and his extensive networks to develop and drive political strategies. He builds effective and creative campaigns and enjoys using a variety of political and media techniques.
Prior to joining Hawthorn, Mark worked at another consultancy, and before that, he ran News Corp and News UK’s EU and UK public affairs and government engagement.
Mark has a keen interest in understanding what motivates people to change their minds and how the media and technology are transforming the world.
Outside of work, Mark loves cycling, running, and tennis, and he is an avid reader of crime and spy novels.
Holly supports clients on both political engagement and strategic communications, focusing on delivering a range of creative, strategic campaigns. With a particular interest in the technology, science and energy sectors, Holly helps clients raise their profile, both in parliament and the media, and effectively supports the day-to-day running of accounts.
Prior to joining Hawthorn, Holly worked at an NHS organisation where she was part of the internal and corporate communications team.
Alice joined Hawthorn in 2023 and helps deliver political engagement for a variety of clients across different sectors.
Prior to joining Hawthorn, Alice worked as a Parliamentary Researcher for a Conservative MP at the House of Commons for two years. She provided a range of support and advice and regularly produced research and briefings, including on Treasury Select Committee meetings. She also wrote a successful policy proposal on the roll-out of specialist Sexual Offence Courts across England that was published by the Ministry of Justice.
Alice graduated from the University of Andrews with a degree in International Relations and spent time studying in Germany.
She grew up in Sydney and London and rowed to a nationally-competitive level. Outside of work, Alice still enjoys team sports and plays in a weekly netball league.
