UPS, the US courier company, has appointed Westminster Policy
Partnership (WPP) as its first full time public affairs consultancy in
the UK in an effort to communicate more effectively with political
decision makers.
Hired last week, WPP has been asked to provide a comprehensive service
including monitoring political developments, and establishing contacts
with MPs, ministers and Department of Trade and Industry officials,
Opposition spokesmen and research assistants.
For budgetary purposes UPS has contracted WPP for an initial three
months, although the relationship is expected to be more long term. The
agency will report to Anton van der Lande, the company’s European
affairs manager based in Brussels. Three other consultancies pitched for
the business: Public Policy Unit, Keene Public Affairs Consultants and
Beaumark.
Paddy Gillford, managing director of WPP, played down the significance
of the appointment, although he acknowledged that UPS was eager to make
contact with opposition figures in the event of a future Labour
government.
‘There is no hard lobbying campaign,’ he said. Nevertheless, UPS will be
keen to argue its case against what it regards as unfair advantages
enjoyed by the Post Office.
