Red Tape or Red Carpet? How Has the Government’s Relationship with Business Changed Under Labour?

As we mark just over a year since the General Election, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), in collaboration with Ellwood Atfield, is hosting a panel discussion to explore how Labour’s mission-based government has approached its engagement with the business community. The event will examine what has shifted in the relationship between government and industry since Labour took office, and what this means for public affairs professionals, businesses, and policymakers.

Date: Tuesday 22 July 2025
Time: 09:00–10:30 (with breakfast from 08:30)
Venue: Ellwood Atfield, 24–28 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SN

During the session, we will hear from speakers offering insights from within government, as well as from experts across the public affairs and business sectors and leading think tanks, including: 

• Farzana Baduel, CEO of Curzon PR and President-Elect of CIPR (Chair)

• Grace Wyld, Head of Policy and Research, Future Governance Forum (FGF)

• Alice Grimes, Head of Public Affairs, Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

• John Lehal, Freelance Strategy Consultant and former COO at The Labour Party

Key discussion points include:

• Has Labour treated business as a genuine partner in its first year of government?

• How does its approach compare with that of the previous Conservative government?

• How has the business community adapted to Labour’s policy direction and governing style?

• Has Labour improved transparency and ethical standards in its engagement with industry?

We hope you can join us for what promises to be an engaging and insightful event, with expert contributions from across the public affairs and business sectors. Spaces are limited, so please be sure to register early to avoid missing out.