Leadership Lessons with… Paul Addison, Associate Director, Public Affairs at Arup UKIMEA

Leadership Lessons with… Paul Addison, Associate Director, Public Affairs at Arup UKIMEA 

Having a deep interest in structures and systems, how Public Affairs is more than just the Westminster bubble now, and why having a thick skin is tantamount to succeeding in the industry. We recently spoke to Paul Addison, the Director of Public Affairs at Arup about his career to date, and his take on how the sector’s changed.

Take a look.

Why did you get into Public Affairs? 

It’s a line of work that’s always “made sense” to me. I was interested in politics at school and university, and to be able to work in that space between business and politics came very naturally.

I also spent time working for politicians directly before getting into Public Affairs which was especially helpful.

Public Affairs isn’t a well-defined career; you can’t get an apprenticeship easily. You need a deep interest in current affairs and be really hands-on with your understanding for how political structures and systems work.

What personal attributes have helped you succeed in your career?

Persistence. If you’re pursuing a particular objective or policy, it won’t happen overnight. There isn’t a magic wand where Public Affairs can solve a thorny issue for a business immediately, so being persistent and prepared to stick it out for the long haul pays off.

What would you say is your biggest challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far?

Being deaf has proved a challenge over the years – I only have hearing in one ear, and that is somewhat limited too. In order to succeed in Public Affairs you need to be a good communicator and a good listener. That often means going to events, networking, receptions, and so on. I let people know that so there’s a level of understanding, and its mostly business as usual now. Bizarrely most people don’t even pick up on it! 

Who’s been the most inspiring person you’ve worked with to date? 

I’ve been very fortunate to work for a series of people who are inspirational. Juergen Maier CBE ex Siemens CEO, and now Vice Chair of the Northern Powerhouse been a phenomenal campaigner for manufacturing, investment in the north and responsible businesses. He injects a real sense of fun into work that can often be complex and challenging. We currently work together at ‘vocl’ where I non-exec – its purpose to help future leaders get their message out to society and policy makers, creating a better, more responsible role for business in society.

What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in Public Affairs over the past decade?

In the UK, two things stand out:

For one, the rise of digital as a communications tool. It’s now second nature, but it’s easy to forget that it’s revolutionised how we operate in the industry. 

Secondly, the shift from outside of London. 10 years ago, Public Affairs was a lot more London-centric, and that’s changed partly because of the pandemic and the fact that people now work remotely and flexibly. But also things like devolution are driving those changes. A job like mine now is much more than the Westminster bubble.

What three words best describe you as a communicator?

Concise. Thoughtful. Deliberate. 

In your view, what makes a great Public Affairs professional? 

A few things stand out. 

Being a really good communicator and being able to get complex ideas across in a simple way, that’s really important. Anyone working in Public Affairs is the interchange between policymakers, politicians and businesses, and all of those groups have very different interests.

Having a genuine interest in policy making and politics. 

And having a thick skin. It’s a tough business, and things don’t always go your way so having resilience to bounce back and react positively is key.