COGITAMUS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Energy Strategy Adviser
- Energy Strategy Advisor
- Member of Parliament
From his 18 years as a Member of Parliament, Albert brings diverse political experience on energy, Welsh affairs, international development and parliamentary procedures, and a strong reputation for supporting a low carbon economy.
Serving as Member of Parliament for Ynys Môn between 2001 and 2019, Albert's political career includes:
Member of the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee, specialising in devolution, transport and energy.
Member of the House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, lead member on low carbon technology, shipping and surface transport.
Representing the UK Parliament and House of Commons International Development Committee at COP21 Paris Climate Accord.
Member of the Speakers' Panel of Chairs - chairing Committee Bills, Statutory Instruments and debates.
House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee - lead member on renewable and new nuclear energy and energy efficiency.
Albert is a Welsh speaker and has a University of Wales diploma in Industrial Relations and Welsh History, and a BA degree in Politics from the University of York.
Job Titles:
- Director, South West England.
Chris joined Cogitamus in 2022 after 35 years working in public affairs, public relations and corporate communications.
Working in public affairs and public relations both as a consultant and in-house for companies across many sectors including transport, Chris has particular experience in aviation, being a former Head of Government Relations for BAA plc and working with several airline and air transport clients when heading up an international PR network in Singapore.
Chris also has a specialism in higher education, having recently had the role of interim Head of Communications at a major UK university.
Based in the South West of England for most of the past 25 years, Chris has worked across the region on a wide variety of public and private sector campaigns.
Daniel Paterson joined the Cogitamus team in 2022 after more than a decade of working in campaigns and policy.
With time spent running a think tank in Berlin, working for the Chair of the EU Single Market Committee in Brussels and delivering projects spanning the political spectrum in London, Daniel has nearly 15 years' experience in stakeholder engagement, campaigns and policy. As well as his achievements in public affairs, Daniel has worked in the supply chain logistics sector.
Based in the South East of England and with his considerable knowledge of European affairs, Daniel brings both business and political experience to bear in a wide range of policy areas.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Managing Director
Elizabeth has 25 years of experience at the interface between the private and public sectors, particularly in regulated industries including transport and energy.
A former Director of CBI Wales, Elizabeth led the organisation through the devolution campaign of the late 1990s, ensuring the CBI emerged a respected body with a strong influential role in the new Welsh Assembly. She gained a good deal of exposure to the media as the organisation's spokesperson, which continued in her next role as Communications Director for the Association of Train Operating Companies, ATOC.
Here Elizabeth acted as passenger rail media spokesperson throughout the Ladbroke Grove accident inquiry, appearing on prime-time network TV and radio, and promoting proposals through the press to address process failures which had occurred. She acted as spokesperson, raised ATOC's profile nationally, developed new channels of communication to provide opinion formers with factual information on rail and initiated and improved links with rail bodies outside the membership (e.g. Rail Passenger Councils, trades unions).
After leaving ATOC, Elizabeth joined a headhunting firm as Managing Director and specialised in recruiting for senior roles in the transport sector from the Department for Transport to the National Air Traffic Control Service (NATS). In 2008, she set up her own consultancy and has worked on a number of rail-related campaigns including the Great Western Partnership (for electrification of the GWML) and developing the communications strategy for electrification of the North Wales line while on the Welsh Ministerial Task Force for Transport.
In 2012, Elizabeth was appointed by the Welsh Minister for Business to chair a Task & Finish Group on City Regions, reporting in July the same year, and she now sits on the Boards of Scottish Power Energy Networks, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Natural Resources Wales and The Hendre Group.
Job Titles:
- Senior Public Policy Adviser
- Vice - Chair of the Kensington Labour Party
Flo joined Cogitamus in 2023 with extensive experience working in and around the Labour Party on policy, campaigns and communications.
Prior to becoming a freelance consultant, Flo worked for a number of frontline UK political campaigns and NGOs, with experience advising Labour MPs and Peers, the Shadow Frontbench and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates on matters related to policy, data, and strategic communications. Flo has an in-depth understanding of policy-making within the Labour Party and a track record of securing change at all levels of the Party's policy-making process.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Flo managed the largest APPG in parliamentary history and set up the UK's first independent, cross-party Commission on the Government's post-Brexit trade and business policy.
Flo serves as Vice-Chair of the Kensington Labour Party and recently co-founded the Labour insider podcast - ‘The Power Test' - which explores how a future Labour government could govern the UK.
Flo's qualifications include first-class degrees in History and Politics from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Oxford and a post-graduate diploma in law.'
Job Titles:
- Senedd & Parliament Adviser
Ian joined Cogitamus in 2020 after retiring from the UK Parliament having been elected five times to serve as Wrexham's Member of Parliament in the House of Commons between 2001 and 2019.
A qualified and highly experienced solicitor before entering Parliament, Ian's political career includes:
Serving as UK Minister for the automotive and aerospace sectors, construction, corporate issues, regulatory reform and active industrial policy in the Labour Government led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Responsibility as a Government Whip for management of parliamentary business relating to the Ministry of Justice and the Cabinet Office
Establishing and chairing the All Party Parliamentary Group for Economic Development in North Wales and North West England to improve infrastructure including rail, road and broadband, working cross-party with MPs, Members of the National Assembly for Wales, UK and Welsh Ministers, local government and industry leaders
Membership of House of Commons Select Committees responsible for Transport and Digital, Culture, Media and Sport issues
Ian has a BA degree in Law from the University of Oxford.
Job Titles:
- New Market Opportunities Manager
Karin joined Cogitamus from Strathclyde Business School where she had developed and managed executive education programmes.
She had earlier gathered over 30 years' experience of business development and international trade, working across the world on strategic market entry and new product and service developments.
As an independent business consultant and executive coach focusing on leadership, team building, marketing and strategic growth, Karin has built a wide portfolio of knowledge in sectors such as energy, tourism and food and drink, working throughout the public, private and third sectors.
Katie was the adviser to the high level judging panel for the National Transport Awards for 10 years.
Between 2012 and 2013, Katie was Director of Policy & Research at European Rail Congress where she worked with a core advisory group of MEPs from the European Parliament's Transport & Tourism Committee as well as a wide range of Commission officials.
As well as leading for Cogitamus on transport policy developments across all modes, Katie is our anchor in Cardiff where she is based, facilitating especially detailed knowledge of the work of the Welsh Government and the National Assembly.
Katy manages our busy head office in Peterborough.
She handles finance, billings and HR issues as well as assisting with research tasks when we have tight deadlines for clients.
Katy is a graduate of Anglia Polytechnic University.
Job Titles:
- Policy Officer
- Co - Founding Director of Aspecks Ltd
Kofi has a pivotal role in the Cogitamus monitoring team, providing comprehensive parliamentary and media reports for our clients and consultants on a daily basis, together with specialist research on specific policy issues impacting client.
A passionate interest in UK and global political affairs underpins Kofi's drive to leave ‘no stone unturned' in his research, ensuring all Cogitamus reports deliver timely, crucial and highly relevant information.
Kofi has degrees from the Universities of Southampton and Toronto including an MSc in Global Politics, and has significant experience of working in the voluntary sector related to international development issues.
Kofi is co-founding Director of Aspecks Ltd, a social enterprise that promotes ethical fashion and seeks to combine the creative industries with international political issues.
Mark joined the Cogitamus team in 2020, having previously worked in the Department for Transport's Rail Directorate.
He brings significant experience in public sector railway management, including rail franchises and project delivery. Many of these roles involved building effective and credible cross-industry relationships between the public and private sectors. He has experience of working effectively with Ministers, senior civil servants and directors of train operating companies and suppliers including Network Rail.
From 2016-19 Mark was Principal Programme client for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, in which role he produced the first ‘Client Delivery Agreement' between the DfT and Network Rail. Prior to this he was responsible for the sponsorship of a portfolio of rail-based projects within DfT including the King's Cross station upgrade (£525m); ITSO on Prestige smartcard scheme (£60m); the National Station Improvement Programme (£275m) and the East Coast Main Line High Level Output Statement works (£400m). He also served as Head of Programme Assurance on the Crossrail Joint Sponsorship Team, and held a series of franchise management roles including Chiltern Railways, Central Trains, Silverlink and London Midland.
Mark graduated from the Institute of Transport Studies at University of Leeds in 1998 with an MBA in Transport Management, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers, a Charted Member of the Institute of Logistics & Transport and a Member of the Association for Project Management.
Mark was also an accredited OGC ‘medium risk' review team leader and undertook a NETLIPSE review of a 125m rail infrastructure project in Finland in August 2018.
Martin Stout joined the Cogitamus team in 2022 to assist in delivering a national engagement programme for an SME-focused upskilling initiative.
A highly experienced business development expert possessing a background in publishing, brand and marketing spanning two decades with a particular focus on North East England, Martin has previously worked with some of the region's leading media companies as Commercial Director.
Job Titles:
- Senior Engagement Manager
Leeds-based Michael Stephenson joined Cogitamus in 2023 bringing senior level expertise to our network of consultants in the regions and nations of the UK.
A veteran of Labour's 1997-2010 period in government - having served as a senior adviser to British Prime Minister Tony Blair - Michael subsequently held the position of General Secretary of the Co-operative Party which operates in partnership with Labour and is the third largest grouping in the UK Parliament. Michael's career includes serving as a senior adviser to a member of the Shadow Cabinet and Transport Policy Officer at the Labour Party headquarters.
Michael brings extensive experience in regional affairs, having worked directly with local authorities, combined authorities, development bodies, MPs and business organisations on a number of challenging issues in Yorkshire and the wider North of England.
In addition to extensive experience in the UK's private and mutual sectors, Michael has also worked at the highest levels of Australian government, having served as Chief of Staff to the Premier of the State of Queensland and held the same position for the Queensland Minister for Education.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Queensland and has taught politics at Griffith University and the Queensland University of Technology.
Murad Qureshi served as an Assembly Member (AM) with the Greater London Authority from 2004 until 2016 and between 2020 and 2021.
Elected as a London-wide Labour AM, Murad dealt with a vast range of issues across the capital, developing particular expertise in environmental and transport matters. As Chair of the Assembly's Environment Committee, Murad led scrutiny of the strategies of the first two London Mayors on issues such as air quality and noise. Serving on the Assembly's Transport Committee, Murad was involved in a series of influential inquiries into all modes of transport within the metropolis.
Murad's earlier career included work as an environmental consultant in the off-shore oil and gas industry, in urban regeneration, and as an elected member of Westminster City Council. His qualifications include an MSc in Environmental & Resource Economics from University College London.
Neil Lindsay joined Cogitamus in 2017 having worked in public affairs and communications for 20 years.
Prior to becoming a freelance consultant, Neil worked at a number of the UK's leading PR and public affairs agencies, advising a diverse range of clients. These included multinational corporations, trade associations, public sector organisations and regulators, as well as think tanks, NGOs, social enterprises and start-ups.
Peter Plisner joined the Cogitamus team in 2022 bringing his extensive experience of transport along with media expertise gained from working in broadcasting for both the BBC and independent companies.
A journalist for more than 40 years specialising in transport for much of that time, Peter Plisner's 's broadcasting career started in independent local radio before working for a variety of national channels.
He was a financial correspondent for Independent Radio News and a correspondent for the BBC, specialising firstly in transport and later in business coverage over a 30-year career until 2020. Peter has worked across all media platforms including radio, television and online services.
Peter has studied transport academically, gaining an MSc distinction in transport planning.
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant
- Fellow at the University of Strathclyde
Rebecca is an experienced entrepreneur, digital marketer and Enterprise Fellow for the University of Strathclyde.
‘Rebecca Richardson is a highly accomplished social entrepreneur, recognised for her ten years of experience in business start-up, growth, development, and successful exit strategies. Her business journey encompasses the establishment of several social enterprises across diverse industries, including merchandise, food recycling, and sports.
With an exceptional skillset in branding and marketing, Rebecca has honed her expertise through her work with some of the UK's most prominent and successful independent marketing agencies. Her focus has been on marketing sports brands, corporate brands, and international alcohol brands, contributing to their growth and market success.
Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Rebecca also serves as a teaching fellow at the University of Strathclyde. Her role entails sharing her wealth of business experiences and offering real-life perspectives and solutions to business students. Her teaching abilities earned her the prestigious Strathclyde Business School Teaching Excellence Award.'
Rob joined the Cogitamus team in 2022 after a decade working on political campaigns and transport policy.
Rob brings to the Cogitamus team knowledge and experience of media and political engagement through delivery of high-profile campaigns undertaken since 2011 in the business and transport sectors influencing public and parliamentary opinion. He has built relationships with politicians across the political spectrum, including Ministers and shadow ministers, as well as with civil servants and advisers.
With a long-held passion for politics, Rob is interested in studying the functioning of the mainstream political parties, how politicians are influenced and the role of public affairs in decision-making. His qualifications include a Politics BSc from Brunel University London and he is currently completing a master's degree at the University of Manchester
Tom Harris joined the Cogitamus team in 2017. He was previously a Labour Member of Parliament for 14 years, representing the Glasgow Cathcart (2001-2005) and Glasgow South (2005-2015) constituencies.
Tom was appointed by Tony Blair as a Minister at the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2006, where he was responsible for Britain's railways, tram systems and cycling policy. In 2007, when Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, Tom's portfolio was expanded to include the country's trunk road network.
As the longest serving railways minister during Labour's period in government, Tom oversaw the franchising process and the High Level Output Specification (HLOS), which allocates resources to the network over a five-year period. He also took the Crossrail Bill through its final parliamentary stages to Royal Assent.
Tom's other roles in government included Parliamentary Private Secretary (ministerial aide) to both the Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt MP, and Northern Ireland Minister, John Spellar MP. As a parliamentarian, Tom was a member of a number of House of Commons select committees, including Transport and Science & Technology. He later served as a Shadow Environment Minister during Ed Miliband's leadership of the Labour Party.
Since leaving the UK Parliament, Tom has returned to his original profession of journalism, as a daily contributor to the Telegraph Online. He is also the director of his own public affairs company, Third Avenue Communications.