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Gill MorrisChief ExecutiveGill Morris has more than twenty years of direct experience of parliamentary and public affairs work. After five years working in Parliament working for 2 Labour MPs, Gill co-founded the specialist housing and Parliamentary consultancy, Raynsford and Morris Limited in 1987. Gill also set up an independent consultancy practice in 1992 and then went to head up Government and Parliamentary Relations at GCI, part of GREY.Gill joined Connect Public Affairs in December 1994 as Managing Director. As a result of Omnicom merger proposals in late 1997Gill decided to “buy the company” and headed up Connect’s management buy-out team to form Connect Public Affairs in January 1998. Over the past 10 years, Gill has led the development of Connect to become one of the leading independent suppliers of public affairs services in the U K. Gill is particularly proud of Connect’s award winning reputation and campaign success. Connect won the CIPR Public Affairs Campaign of the year for its work with BAAF to change legislation to allow unmarried couples the right to adopt and won the PRWeek award for our work with Police Authorities to stop the proposed mergers. Gill has particular expertise in social policy development and specialises in housing, homelessness, regeneration issues and regional policy. Gill is the former Chair of the APPC and currently its Deputy Chair. |
Q: Where were you born?
At home - a council house in Wythenshawe, Manchester.
Q: What are your academic achievements?
I have a BA (Hons) in Politics and Humanities from Thames Polytechnic – now known as the University of Greenwich.
Q: What sparked your interest in politics?
I suppose I was born into it. My father won the Wythenshawe seat in 1964. The spark must have been the time I was held by Harold Wilson in an election rallying speech to 1000s of factory workers. He hoisted me up and said, “this (me) is what we are fighting for”. I have to admit I looked rather cute in my red suit and blond curls aged 5. Needless to say that and every other General Election is firmly etched on my memory.
Q: Proudest moment?
Maybe I haven’t had it yet. But winning the CIPR Award for Best Public Affairs Campaign for our work allowing unmarried couples to adopt and winning PR Week’s best Public Affairs campaign of the year for our work to stop Police restructuring – made me very proud of what Connect has and can achieve.
Q: Which political person do you most admire?
This is a hard one – but I have always thought highly of Dennis Healey – not least because of his sense of humour. I also think that Michael Foot is an incredible man – it just came a bit too late.
Q: Your greatest ambition?
Apart from running the best public affairs company in Westminster, I would like to see the UK public affairs industry accepted and/or widely recognised for its high standards, transparency and legitimacy.
Q: How do you relax?
I am an avid listener of Radio 4 and Archers addict.
Q: When are you happiest?
I am generally a happy person - but good food, wine and company all help.
Q: What is the one thing you want to do before you die?
Swim the English Channel or something amazing like being on the top of Everest or going to the North Pole.
Q: What song would you want played at your funeral?
“That’s Life” by Frank Sinatra and “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin
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