Our Team
Simon Jennings
Executive Director
With nearly a decade of experience spanning policy, parliament and lobbying, Simon has established himself as a leader in the emerging technology space. Simon is the Founder and Managing Director of NorthPoint Strategy, a leading political and communications consultancy that specialises in public affairs. He concluded his career in the public sector as Chief of Staff to a Senior Government Minister, where he gained extensive experience in the Government Whips’ Office and on issues relating to Brexit, the digital economy and financial services. He was nominated by Prospect Magazine as ‘Parliamentary Staffer of the Year’ in 2019.
Giles Swan,
Policy Advisor
Giles has over two decades of public and private sector leadership experience spanning the breadth of the financial services industry, including digital finance sectors. He has been a regulator, policymaker, diplomat and regional policy head of a major global financial technology firm and the global policy director of a leading buy-side trade association. He spent over seven years at the FCA where he led on supervision and policy.
During his time as a policymaker, Giles was a national expert on the European Securities and Markets Authority’s Investment Management Standing Committee, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions’ Standing Committee on Investment Management, and the European Union’s Council of Ministers Financial Services Working Party.
Will Riley-Smith, Associate Director
Prior to consultancy, Will spent three years as Chief of Staff to a Minister in his range of roles, including Minister for Europe and Minister of State for Transport. Will also led a number of operations for the Government Whips’ Office, including the lauded ‘Respect Your Vote’ campaign. During his time in advocacy, Will has represented blue-chip firms from Samsung to Mars Global and offered strategic communications advice to sovereign governments. Will offers pro-bono advice to the Jazz All-Party Parliamentary Group and helps co-ordinate over 100 MPs and Peers who make up its membership.
Megan Richards, Associate Director
Megan has been involved in the Labour Party for around seven years and currently sits on Labour’s National Policy Forum for Trade and Investment. Prior to moving into advocacy, Megan worked as a senior aide and researcher to two Shadow Ministers, where she handled a range of portfolios spanning International Trade, Digital and the Cabinet Office. Megan's early career was rooted in Welsh politics – initially working with Welsh Labour before moving to Westminster to forge close links with the Welsh Government.
In Parliament, Megan led stakeholder engagement, communications and policy development for the Shadow Exports Minister – specialising in technology and services.
