Gavin Devine
Chief Operating Officer
Gavin joined one of Mandate’s predecessor companies, AS Biss & Co, in 2004 following more than a decade working in the Clerk’s Department in the House of Commons. During his time in Parliament he worked in the Legislation Service and as Clerk of the Transport and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committees. He left as a senior civil servant.
Gavin has been responsible for giving strategic advice and support to clients in the energy, transport, planning and related fields. He is also Deputy Chairman of the APPC. An MBA, Gavin was formerly Deputy MD of AS Biss, then Managing Director of Mandate, before becoming Chief Operating Officer in November 2008.
Name one thing few people know about you?
I am a (these days infrequent) hockey goalkeeper, and I was Chairman of the London Wayfarers Hockey Club for four years.
What did you want to want to be when you were growing up?
A train driver (of course).
Who has most inspired you?
JFK
What would you do if you became Prime Minister?
Genuinely invest in the United Kingdom by backing the major infrastructure projects the country needs for its future competitiveness.
Do you have one unfulfilled ambition?
One day I will finally write a novel…
What is your favourite book?
‘Prince of Princes: The Life of Potemkin’ by Simon Sebag Montefiore
Policy-making is improved immeasurably through being informed by those it actually affects – in other words the people who genuinely understand its impact.