LONDON – Hill & Knowlton has hired Tara Singh as managing director to lead its public affairs business in the UK.

Singh brings two decades of experience in global public affairs and policy development, most recently serving as global lead for integrated power policy and advisory for Shell. Previously, she led policy and public affairs for start-up First Utility before its acquisition. Singh also worked at Number 10 for former UK prime minister David Cameron, as a special adviser on energy, environment, and cost of living issues.

In the newly-created role, Singh’s remit will include supporting the development of H&K’s global public affairs offer, as well as developing the agency’s public affairs offer around data and analytics, sector expertise, and integrated communications and providing support to clients on policy and regulatory stakeholder management.

Hill & Knowlton UK CEO Simon Whitehead said: “Tara brings exceptional and broad public affairs experience with focused strategic insight that will give our clients political and policy counsel on domestic and international public affairs, while also predicting and mitigating political risk for our client partners. I’m really pleased to welcome her to Hill & Knowlton, particularly as we approach a year with elections in the UK, US, Brussels and several other places around the world.”

Singh added: “I’m excited to be joining Hill & Knowlton at this pivotal time. The policy landscape is undergoing rapid and fundamental transformation following Covid-19, geopolitical conflicts abroad, and the cost-of-living crisis at home. I'm proud to support this talented team deliver as we enter the election year ahead.”