Sacha Deshmukh began his communications career in the world of media campaigning and pressure group politics.  In 1997 he joined Mandate’s predecessor company AS Biss, ultimately serving as Managing Director.  Sacha has managed major media and political campaigns for the private, public and voluntary sector, both in-house and in consultancy.  He has particular expertise in complex regulatory and legal issues, but is also an experienced media adviser having appeared many times on TV and radio, as well as managing editorial relations on sensitive issues with national press.

Jane Howard’s public relations career spans 25 years spent in London and New York, including senior posts at the PR subsidiary of Saatchi & Saatchi’ and as group MD of the national agency, Leedex . In 1997 she co-founded Mandate’s predecessor company, Republic PR. Over the last 25 years, Jane has specialised in running award winning marketing support, issues management and corporate reputation campaigns. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Jane has also sat on the Board of Management of the Public Relations Consultants Association, the association for the UK PR industry.

Gavin joined Mandate’s predecessor company AS Biss in 2004, having previously been a senior civil servant in the House of Commons. He has responsibilities across the company, focusing particularly on the public affairs practice. Gavin has a specialist expertise in private and hybrid legislation, and in the work of Select Committees. He provides senior strategic advice and counsel to a wide range of clients, principally in the planning, transport, energy, major infrastructure and environmental sectors. He is also a member of the Management Committee of the Association of Professional Political Consultants.

Having begun her career on Text 100’s fast track graduate training programme, Deborah has spent her PR career in the agency sector, moving from hi-tech specialist to a regional agency, before setting up Mandate’s predecessor company Republic PR in 1997. Republic became one of the top corporate and consumer independents in the UK. A specialist in optimising media profile, she has worked across public, private and not for profit sectors advising CEOs and marketing teams on how best to leverage media relationships in order to build corporate image, especially through times of commercial challenge and change.

Mike leads Mandate’s acclaimed health practice, which has won the Communiqué Public Policy Campaign of the Year award twice in a row. Mike is experienced in advising commercial, voluntary and public sector organisations on some of the highest profile health issues of the day. He takes complex and often contentious issues and shapes them into compelling messages which are conveyed as part of imaginative and creative multi-disciplinary communications campaigns.

Julia began her PR career in a specialist property agency where she quickly gained a passion for delivering high-profile media coverage. To feed a growing appetite for creative consumer campaigns, she moved to Edelman where she gained extensive experience across a wide range of consumer brands before joining Republic PR in May 2003. From FMCGs and alternative health to consumer issues and services, Julia thrives on a creating memorable media campaigns.

Having worked in both consultancy and in-house environments during a 14 year career in public relations, Pippa brings a wide range of expertise across strategic business to business and corporate campaigns that help clients achieve their objectives through media and stakeholder communications. Pippa began her career with the London office of international pr network Fleishman-Hillard, then moving to become PR Manager at London Business School.  She joined Republic PR in May 1999.

Jonathan Lomax joined AS Biss in 2005 following three years heading up public affairs for one of the UK’s largest charities. He has led successful campaigns that achieved significant policy change and has extensive experience of dealing with senior political figures, departmental officials and the media.

Tim Payton has more than ten years experience of campaigning for policy change and supporting individuals and companies when facing high profile political and media crises. He is one of the country’s leading policy experts on sports, leisure and the cultural industries. Tim joined Mandate’s predecessor company AS Biss in 1997, and before that advised the Labour Party’s Culture, Media and Sport front bench team.

Kate has ten years experience providing clients with senior counsel in times of crisis and change management, managing sensitive issue communications and shaping key corporate and social responsibility messages that can distinguish clients from the crowd. She is used to working at the most senior levels of politics and business to create strategies to build engagement with diverse stakeholders, from local community activists to campaign-based NGOs.

Matt Decker is Principal of Mandate’s office in Washington DC. Matt has a unique expertise in US government relations and the needs of British and European companies. He provides clients with valuable insight into both transatlantic and international business issues, having previously served as the Congressional and political advisor to both the British and the Japanese Embassies in Washington DC.