Owain Mumford joins 5654 to help businesses navigate the new Burnham administration
5654 & Company has today [08 October 2026] announced the appointment of Owain Mumford, former Labour Special Adviser, as a Director.
At a time when Prime Minister Andy Burnham is establishing a new administration with a bold new policy direction, Owain joins 5654’s broader pool of former Labour advisers including Simon Jackson, Juliet Patterson, Cameron Scott, Vanessa Bowcock and John Cotton to help clients understand the new government.
The new hire also strengthens 5654’s commitment to helping clients navigate the multi-party politics era as the company maintains an experienced, cross-party team. And ensures the consultancy delivers the advice clients need, combined with the ability to deliver first-class cross-channel campaigns.
Owain brings a wealth experience of front-line politics from his role as a Special Adviser to Bridget Phillipson MP, the then Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, where he led communications for major campaigns such as the Starmer government’s landmark reforms of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Owain also led communications for Bridget Phillipson’s campaign to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.
While Labour was in Opposition, he served as communications adviser to both Phillipson and Steve Reed MP during their time as Shadow Local Government and Shadow Justice Secretary. Owain also worked on numerous local election campaigns and a General Election campaign for the Labour Party.
Welcoming Owain to the company, founder Ben Thornton said, “We’re delighted that Owain has chosen 5654 as we keep building a consultancy able to support companies contributing to the UK. As Andy Burnham sets out his vision for the country, and at a time when political volatility remains, Owain further strengthens our ability to advise clients and deliver campaigns that earn support for growth.”
Owain Mumford said: “The new Prime Minister has signalled repeatedly that businesses will be pivotal to his theory of economic growth. That will offer a host of opportunities for companies to achieve their commercial objectives while winning reputation and support by playing a central role in delivering the Government’s agenda. I’m so pleased to be working with 5654’s clients and team to help organisations seize these opportunities and demonstrate the part they can play in the months and years to come.”
Prior to politics, Owain previously worked in public affairs in the charity and public sectors, as well as advising health clients for a public affairs and communications consultancy.
Notes to Editors
Owain’s hire adds to 5654 & Company’s existing Labour expertise including:
Simon Jackson (Partner): Over 20 years experience in the Labour Party, including as Director of Policy and Research.
Cameron Scott (Partner): Over a decade leading campaigns for the Labour Party including as a Director for one of the party’s English regional units and as the Head of Campaigns & Organisation for the Scottish Labour Party.
Juliet Patterson (Director): An adviser to Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband and Shadow Transport Minister Daniel Zeichner during Labour’s time in opposition. She was also seconded to work as a press officer for Sir Keir Starmer when he was Leader of the Opposition. And most recently worked on Bridget Phillipson’s Deputy Leadership campaign.
Vanessa Bowcock (Senior Adviser): 30-years’ experience working for the Labour Party in both Government and Opposition under the leadership of Keir Starmer, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn.
John Cotton (Senior Adviser): The former Labour Leader of Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in Europe. John was a Labour councillor for 27 years.
5654 has always been a cross-party consultancy offering expertise across all the major parties. It was one of the first consultancies to hire a senior Reform UK figure to help clients understand the emerging multi-party politics landscape