Ellie Costello

Seasoned public affairs expert with extensive experience in policy development, parliamentary engagement, and government commissions. National campaigns lead e.g. #SupportNotSanctions, delivering a 267,000-signature petition to Downing Street. Strong media relations, briefing senior political, sector, lobbying and editorial figures, with contributions to BBC, The Guardian, Financial Times, and The Telegraph. Co-authored Square Pegs: compassion, inclusivity and fitting in - a guide for schools, demonstrating inclusive forward-thinking education policy expertise. Strategic advisor, adept at relationship-building with grassroots, ministers, civil servants, and think tanks. Accomplished public speaker committed to impactful change through informed advocacy and strategic collaboration. Passionate about participatory politics, deliberative democracy, and restoring trust and empowerment in communities.

• Education Policy Alliance, 2022-present, grassroots open-source participatory action think tank bringing all stakeholders together to co-construct policy papers and deliver deliberative, iterative and imaginative solutions to the challenges children, families, support staff, teachers, leaders, local and national government collectively and individually face.
• Warwickshire SEND Crisis, 2019-2023, Campaigned and lobbied on behalf of marginalised families in Warwickshire.
• Warwickshire Parent Carer Forum Representative (WPCF), 2018-2024, Worked strategically with local partners across LA and health teams and was an active member of workstreams and steering groups.
• Siblings at the Same School, Campaign Advocate, 2011-2014, Ran a local campaign to change school admissions criteria, engaging with cross-party stakeholders and press.