Leadership Lessons with…Paul Oxley, Director of Government Relations & Policy, ADS Group

Leadership Lessons with Paul Oxley, Director of Government Relations and Policy at ADS Group Ltd

This month Hanson Search spoke with Paul Oxley, Director of Government Relations and Policy at ADS Group Ltd. Paul shared his thoughts on what makes a great public affairs professional, and why honesty and integrity are so essential in his line of work.

Why did you get into Public Affairs?

First of all, I signed up to join the Royal Navy as an Officer but ended up getting cold feet and didn’t want to miss out on the chance to go to university. I was always interested in pursuing a career in the legal field and was very engaged with current affairs and politics from a very young age. I did law and politics at university and was heavily influenced by shows like The West Wing and The Thick of It while I was there. The role of a civil servant or influencer, especially around communications, became something I really wanted to do.

My first role was as an intern for two local MPs which got me a foot in the door into Westminster.

Which personal attributes have most helped you to succeed in your career?

Having empathy and being able to put yourself in other people’s shoes is really important. Honesty and sincerity are also crucial in good communication.

What would you say has been the biggest challenge that you’ve overcome in your career so far?

Trying to remain calm in difficult situations, especially where particularly emotive subjects are being discussed. Being clear and calm and keeping my cool has sometimes been a challenge. In the past when talking to members of the public I have been shouted at and physically threatened, but it’s all about remaining professional and being resilient.

Who would you say has been the most inspiring person you’ve worked with?

There are two people, both for different reasons. I was Edward Timpson MP’s first researcher and as a person, employer, and as an MP, he was outstanding in how he engaged with people and treated them. He always went into parliament with the best intentions and continues to maintain that position of integrity.

When I worked at Greater Anglia, my Director Andy Camp – a former Commercial Director at the Foreign Office – taught me a lot about how to effectively manage teams and people. Again, it comes back to respect and empathy and remaining calm under pressure.

What have been the biggest changes in Public Affairs industry in the past 10 years?

The rise of social media has surely been the biggest change. Facebook was in its infancy when I started my career and Twitter didn’t exist. These

are brilliant tools for communication, visibility, transparency and reaching an audience, but there are also risks that come with that. It’s important to be mindful that every post and engagement can be open to scrutiny.

What would you say are the three words that best describe you as a communicator?

Positive – I like to maintain a positive energy to keep myself and my team upbeat.

Honest – I never try to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes!

Professional – I treat people with respects and how I would expect to be treated myself.

What makes a great public affairs and policy professional?

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses and how you can use your strengths to plug the gaps in your weaknesses. You don’t have to be a master in every topic, the key thing is how you act as a networker and convener.