LONDON — Corporate communications and public affairs specialist Hanbury Strategy has made a number of senior promotions and hires to bolster its leadership, after doubling headcount to 80 over the past year.

Joe Moore has joined the agency as associate director, having previously worked as political adviser to the shadow education secretary. He is joined by Emily Barnes, who was previously at Camargue for five years. Former Home Office official Rachel Smedley has also joined Hanbury to head up its new media monitoring unit.

Hanbury has also promoted two staffers to partner: former Liberal Democrat councillor Emily Fermor (pictured), who joined as an executive in 2017 and managed the media campaign for Jo Swinson’s successful bid for the Liberal Democrat leadership in 2019; and Iain Carter, who joined Hanbury in April this year after being the Conservative Party’s political director, leading its communications, research and digital teams

The agency has made further promotions throughout the agency, including Russell Newton, former senior parliamentary assistant to MP Dominic Raab MP, who becomes a director. Hanbury has also hired a number of new account managers and taken on two interns as permanent staff.

Hanbury co-founder Ameet Gill said: “It’s been a fantastic year of growth for Hanbury. We are particularly delighted to announce the promotions of Emily Fermor and Iain Carter. Emily has been with us since almost the start of the Hanbury journey, rising from executive to partner and helping lead on some of our highest value clients. Her rise to the top of Hanbury is, I hope, evidence that Hanbury both keeps and nurtures the very best talent.

“Iain only joined six months ago, but has already made a huge impact, especially when it comes to helping investors navigate an increasingly tricky political backdrop. Together, they help expand our top team to give us a platform for further growth next year.”