If you’ve worked with us over the last few years, you almost certainly know Max Wilson. He’s been a central part of the Whitehouse family, driving our growth and helping our clients navigate some truly complex political landscapes.
That’s why we are absolutely thrilled to share the news: Max has officially been promoted to Managing Director.
To mark the occasion, we grabbed a coffee with Max to talk about his journey from political campaigning to agency leadership, and what he’s most excited about for the future of Whitehouse.
In conversation with Max
Q: Max, huge congratulations! How does it feel to step into the role as Managing Director?
Max: It’s a huge privilege. I’ve loved my time here so far, mostly because of the people I get to work with every day. We have such a talented team, and stepping into this role is really about empowering them to keep doing what they do best. I’m excited to build on the momentum we
already have as we move towards the next stage of the agency’s development.
Q: For those who might only know you from your current work, can you give us the “abridged version” of your career before Whitehouse?
Max: It’s been a bit of a journey! My roots are definitely political. Before joining the agency world, I spent over five years working deep inside the Labour Party. I wore a few different hats there – from leading campaigns for the Parliamentary Labour Party’s Political Services Unit
to working as a Political Adviser in the Leader of the Opposition’s Office.
I also spent time on the other side of the fence as Head of Communications for the Back Heathrow campaign, managing media and political engagement for the third runway debate. Oh, and occasionally you might spot me popping up on Sky News or the BBC trying to make sense of the day’s political headlines!
Q: How would you describe what Whitehouse Communications does to someone outside the industry?
Max: At our core, we help organisations that want to make a positive change. Whether it’s raising awareness of an issue in Westminster, securing a regulatory shift in Brussels, or launching a campaign that is going to make a real difference, we help clients make a positive impact.
We are an issues-led agency which means we dig right down into the substance of policy – whether that’s in health and social care, the environment, human rights, food and nutrition, finance, or education – to ensure that our clients’ issues connect with politicians.
Q: You mentioned the team earlier. What is it about the culture here that you want to preserve or grow?
Max: It’s the blend of insight and impact. We have people here who genuinely understand the nuts and bolts of UK and EU politics and the policymaking process. I want to ensure we keep that rigor while staying creative in how we deliver results and continuing to support our amazing teams.
Whether we are fighting for better social care or navigating sustainability regulations, I want our clients to feel like we aren’t just external consultants – but extensions of their own in-house teams who are deeply invested in achieving meaningful results.
Q: What’s next for you and Whitehouse?
Max: Getting to work! We have a lot of exciting new campaigns in the pipeline. My focus is going to be on strengthening our public affairs offering, developing our new business pipeline, supporting our amazing teams, and making sure we continue to deliver tangible wins for our clients. It’s an exciting time to be in public affairs and strategic communications, and I’m ready to start this new role!
Driving positive change
At Whitehouse Communications, we help organisations navigate complex regulatory landscapes and engage strategically with policymakers.
Our cross-sector expertise and deep understanding of government priorities enable us to support businesses in shaping their messaging, anticipating regulatory change, and positioning themselves as trusted partners in policy development.
If you would like to understand what these developments mean for your organisation, please get in touch with our specialist team at info@whitehousecomms.com.
