Cambridge Judge Business School alumnus gives evidence in front of the House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee
Mark Ramsdale, MPhil Technology Policy Class of 2007, was called to the evidence session on 1 March to provide comment on the Committee’s pre-legislative scrutiny of the Government’s proposals for introducing a statutory register of lobbyists. He was called specifically as a public affairs consultant in the sports and technology sector and in relation to his experience in various bodies representing the public affairs industry. Until December 2011, he was executive secretary to the UK Public Affairs Council, which administers a voluntary register of lobbyists.
The purpose was to hear from some of those who have been closely involved with the UK Public Affairs Council, and to explore what lessons might be learned from this experience of non-statutory self-regulation in the context of the Government’s proposals.
Mark commented: “It’s only right that there is transparency in our democratic process. Lobbying is a necessary part of that process and should not be exempt from scrutiny. A register of lobbyist – and associated regulation – will ensure that people engaging with Parliament and government demonstrate their commitment to an open democracy. I was very pleased to be called to give evidence. As someone who supports client in working with politicians, this was a very useful experience.”
Mark has over 10 years’ experience in public affairs and policy and spent two years in the House of Commons working on issues relating to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. After working for the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Learning and Skills Council and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), Mark decided to complete his MPhil in Technology Policy at Cambridge Judge Business School, which focused on business and strategy development.
With this new knowledge and having already spent time working as a freelance consultant, Mark began consulting for a number of organisations and formed his own independent public affairs consultancy, Mark Ramsdale Ltd, in 2010.