5654 & Company Strengthen Senior Team with Appointment of Simon Baugh and Jonathan Gullis
5654 & Company has appointed Simon Baugh, former Chief Executive of Government Communications, and Jonathan Gullis, former Conservative MP and Education Minister who recently joined Reform UK, as Senior Advisers, significantly expanding the firm’s corporate communications and public affairs capability.
Simon Baugh joins following a 25-year career leading major communications programmes across Whitehall and the private sector. At the helm of government communications, Simon oversaw large-scale transformation programmes and helped shape how public institutions engage audiences in a rapidly changing media environment. He brings deep expertise in strategic communications, innovation, crisis response, and cross-sector collaboration as a former Director of Media and Public Relations at Heathrow, and Director of Communication at the Department for Transport, Department for Exiting the EU, and the Home Office before he became CEO of the Government Communication Service. He will enhance 5654’s campaigning and corporate reputation expertise as the Covent Garden based consultancy helps clients earn support.
Jonathan Gullis is the latest high profile former Conservative MP and minister to join Reform UK. Jonathan will bring his deep understanding of Westminster politics and Reform UK to 5654 as the corporate world adapts to a multi-party reality. He joins 5654 colleagues who are drawn from across the political spectrum to ensure clients have access to policy-shaping teams from all the main parties. Jonathan is a former teacher who served as MP for Stoke-on-Trent North and was a Minister for School Standards in the Department for Education.
They join Jonathan Van Tam, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Vanessa Bowcock, a former adviser to Keir Starmer, on 5654’s top team of Senior Advisers who are helping the company’s expanding client base prepare for a period of major political, regulatory and media change.
Welcoming Simon and Jonathan, Ben Thornton, Founding Partner, 5654 & Company said: “Simon and Jonathan bring exceptional experience from two very different but highly influential worlds. Their insight into government, politics, media and public expectations will be invaluable to clients navigating the UK’s new multi-party reality and changing media and communications landscape. We’re delighted to welcome them as part of our senior advisory team as we build and deliver campaigns which unlock the support our clients need.
Simon Baugh, Senior Adviser at 5654 & Company said: “The corporate world is noisier than ever, which can make it difficult for businesses to make themselves heard. I am looking forward to working with 5654 and its clients to build evidence-led campaigns that change things rather than just add commentary. Whether in government or the private sector the challenge is the same: to turn complexity into clear choices and action that drive real outcomes.”
Jonathan Gullis, Senior Adviser at 5654 & Company said: “The days of the two-party system in the UK are well and truly over. Businesses now need to be agile and ready to engage a wide range of political voices, often with competing, and sometimes contentious, points of view. Engagement isn’t endorsement. It’s about ensuring businesses have a voice in the policies that will shape their ambitions and their workforce. I look forward to helping 5654’s excellent clients understand the factors which are shaping the political conversation to deliver crucial stakeholder support.”
With these appointments, 5654 & Company continues to build one of the strongest senior advisory teams in the industry, offering clients unparalleled support across corporate affairs, health and life sciences and the built environment.