Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Volunteering
Timeline
Generic

Holly Williamson

Summary

Aspiring barrister with a decade of frontline political and public service experience, including as Head of Office to a Cabinet Minister. I bring a strong grounding in casework, policy, and strategic communications, with a proven record advising Ministers on complex issues involving welfare, housing, and safeguarding. I have led national media campaigns, briefed at the highest levels of government, and handled sensitive matters requiring discretion, analytical rigour, and public accountability. I am now completing the GDL with the ambition to practise at the Bar, specialising in public, employment, or administrative law.

Overview

5
5
years of professional experience

Work history

Head of Office to the Rt Hon John Healey MP

Parliament
Yorkshire
10.2024 - Current
  • Lead all constituency operations and manage a multi-disciplinary team delivering casework, community engagement, and political communications for a senior Cabinet Minister.
  • Provide high-level strategic advice on housing, welfare, health and defence-related issues, often requiring a nuanced understanding of statutory frameworks and regulatory obligations.
  • Draft speeches, letters, and ministerial briefings, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and political judgement, including complex correspondence to government departments and agencies.
  • Handle sensitive casework involving safeguarding, homelessness, and disability benefits, liaising with local authorities and statutory bodies to achieve outcomes for vulnerable constituents.
  • Coordinate the MP’s engagement with legal and policy developments at both local and national level, including public inquiries, planning applications, and government consultations.
  • Manage crisis communications and responses to high-profile incidents, maintaining public confidence while protecting the MP’s position and ensuring legal accuracy.

Senior Visits, Events & Fundraising Officer

The Labour Party
London
02.2024 - 10.2024
  • Acted as deputy to the Head of Communications, making strategic decisions during periods of political sensitivity and public scrutiny.
  • Designed and led regional media campaigns to shape political narratives and engage key audiences, including press releases, on-the-record briefings, and rebuttal strategies.
  • Organised and managed high-profile visits and events involving Shadow Cabinet members, MPs, and journalists, balancing political messaging with operational delivery.
  • Briefed candidates and senior politicians ahead of national and regional media appearances, distilling complex issues into persuasive talking points.
  • Built and maintained relationships with donors, campaigners, and activists, coordinating fundraising campaigns that significantly increased income and engagement.
  • Responded to real-time crises, crafting immediate communications strategies to protect reputations and uphold organisational accountability.

Account director

Field Consulting, London
London
07.2023 - 02.2024
  • Designed and delivered strategic communications and public affairs plans for clients navigating complex regulatory and political landscapes.
  • Led a team of consultants advising clients on parliamentary engagement, legislative developments, and reputation management, often during periods of heightened political or media scrutiny.
  • Built and maintained relationships with Ministers, MPs, civil servants, and journalists to ensure effective advocacy and policy influence.
  • Devised and implemented crisis communication strategies, balancing legal risk, public accountability, and stakeholder reassurance.
  • Collaborated directly with C-suite clients to align legal, political, and reputational interests in fast-moving, high-stakes contexts.

Chief of Staff

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
London
11.2022 - 07.2023
  • Advised senior leadership on strategic planning and operational coordination.
  • Managed cross-departmental communications and ministerial board preparation.
  • Maintained discretion while handling policy and crisis management.

Private Secretary & Head of Ministerial Visits

Department for Work and Pensions
London
11.2020 - 12.2022
  • Coordinated national ministerial visits, protocol, and media strategy.
  • Drafted briefings and liaised with local stakeholders under political sensitivity.

Assistant Private Secretary

Home Office
London
12.2019 - 11.2020
  • Supported policy development in illegal migration.
  • Advised Ministers and the Home Secretary, ensuring effective parliamentary and media coordination.

Education

Graduate Diploma in Law -

The College of Legal Practice
01.2025 -

Master of Arts - Politics

Leeds University

Skills

KEY SKILLS

  • Adept at designing and delivering strategic communications in politically sensitive environments, aligning messaging with organisational and legal objectives
  • Experienced in managing high-profile incidents with discretion and clarity, safeguarding public and political reputations
  • Proven ability to lead high-performing teams in fast-paced, high-stakes settings, ensuring coordinated delivery across competing priorities
  • 0Skilled at engaging diverse audiences, from local residents to senior Ministers and translating complex issues into persuasive advocacy
  • Trusted to handle confidential, time-sensitive matters with integrity, ensuring appropriate risk management and legal awareness

Volunteering

Equalities Officer - Parliamentary Branch - GMB Union 

Member Board of Trustees - Hopian (Domestic Violence charity) 

Timeline

Graduate Diploma in Law -

The College of Legal Practice
01.2025 -

Head of Office to the Rt Hon John Healey MP

Parliament
10.2024 - Current

Senior Visits, Events & Fundraising Officer

The Labour Party
02.2024 - 10.2024

Account director

Field Consulting, London
07.2023 - 02.2024

Chief of Staff

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
11.2022 - 07.2023

Private Secretary & Head of Ministerial Visits

Department for Work and Pensions
11.2020 - 12.2022

Assistant Private Secretary

Home Office
12.2019 - 11.2020

Master of Arts - Politics

Leeds University

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Holly Williamson