LONDON: Microsoft has plundered Westminster Strategy for its first UK government relations chief.
LONDON: Microsoft has plundered Westminster Strategy for its first
UK government relations chief.
Matthew Lambert, director of Westminster Strategy and managing director
of its Brussels arm, European Strategy, will leave on Thursday and join
Microsoft’s Reading operations two weeks later.
Lambert, 36, admitted that a difficult task awaits him, but added, ’I am
up for it.’ Over the coming months, he has promised to ’take a fresh
look at how Microsoft handles its government relations, and see where we
can improve.’
Lambert declined to discuss the specifics of his new role, but said,
’The intention is to handle public affairs in a more organized manner.’
He will report to John Frank, the Paris-based European and legal affairs
chief, and work closely with UK chairman David Svendsen, who will
continue to play a large role in the software giant’s public affairs
strategy.
Lambert joined Westminster Strategy a year ago, after a 10-year stint
with European Public Policy Associates. In the wake of his departure,
managing director Michael Burrell will take control of the British
Telecom account, won last year by Lambert. Fellow director Leighton
Andrews will handle the firm’s Mars business.
Burrell remained philosophical about the departure. ’It’s a tribute to
us that people here are of the quality to fill this kind of job,’ he
said.
He has not decided whether to replace Lambert in the UK, but European
Strategy deputy managing director Maurits Bruggink has been promoted to
succeed him in Brussels.
