Nathan Spellman - A Day in the Life of a Public Affairs Executive

Almost a year ago to the day, I hit “submit” on Blackboard for the final time. My last university module? How to Win a Political Argument. Fitting, in hindsight. Just days earlier, I’d wrapped up a paper on US foreign policy and the media’s evolving role from Vietnam to the (then former) Trump administration. I’ll spare you the convoluted details of my Frankfurt School philosophy essay – you’re welcome.

Relief came first. Then: existential crisis. What now?

If you had told me then that I’d find a job – any job – in the current graduate market, I’d have been pretty chuffed. If you’d told me that job would involve crafting real-world political arguments, interacting with the media, and analysing the impact of global policy shifts, well… I’d have laughed (hysterically, with just a hint of sadness).

But fear not, my former self. You are now a Public Affairs Executive at Cardew Group.

So, what is Public Affairs?

Public affairs, political consultancy, government relations, or lobbying largely refer to the same thing: helping an organisation navigate its relationship with its stakeholders, especially its political ones. It’s a weapon in the arsenal of a strategic communications foot soldier – and a close cousin of public relations. Where PR targets consumers, investors or the general public, public affairs targets policymakers too. We tailor our communications to protect reputation, advocate policy change, and prepare clients for what’s coming down the political pipeline.

In practice, this can mean raising a political profile (or indeed shrinking it), tracking policy developments, or advising on the implications of a government announcement before it hits the front page.

A Day in the Life

The title of this piece is a little bit misleading, because the honest answer is that no two days are the same. We’re responsive to the political and media landscape of the day, and as our current government has found out the hard way, fires can burn in every direction, on any given day. Unless, of course, you have the right team around you!

For me, this unpredictability is one of the job’s biggest perks. One moment you’re poring over policy, that afternoon, you’re prepping briefing notes, liaising with journalists, or contacting MPs.

There are, however, some daily non-negotiables. Coffee, for example, the perfect tool to drive you through the morning media roundup.

We’ll never know a client’s business better than they do – and that’s not our job anyway. It’s to translate how the world of Westminster and beyond will affect their business, identifying the opportunities, and mitigating the risks. That means reading…a lot. News articles, press releases, policy. The more informed we are, the better we can advise and engage the right people – from government ministers and MPs to local councillors and industry regulators.

Why Cardew?

As an independent agency and a small but growing team, Cardew punches well above its weight class, working with some of the biggest names in the UK and beyond. This means one of the best things about working here early in your career is the exposure. I’ve had front-row seats to high-level client meetings - and backstage passes to some of the most dynamic corners of British industry. I’ve been absorbing years of collective wisdom by mental osmosis and witnessing first-hand the nuance and complexity of political communications across multiple sectors and geographies.

Sound Interesting?

If you’re a politics nerd like me, or think fast-paced work of my pals in PR could be for you, keep your eyes peeled for updates and job listings on LinkedIn or at www.cardewgroup.com.