Phil Briscoe

MD, Advocacy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-briscoe/

phil.briscoe@secnewgate.co.uk

Phil has worked in political campaigning and communications for over 30 years, specialising in local advocacy, infrastructure and real estate for over two decades. Phil co-founded Newington Public Affairs in 2006, which merged into SEC Newgate UK in early 2021.

Over that period, Phil and his colleagues have worked in more than 90% of local planning authorities across the UK, delivering consistently high levels of service and success. He has personally been involved in over 1,000 planning applications across the residential, commercial, student, leisure, education, waste, infrastructure and energy sectors.

Phil leads the SEC Newgate UK team in the Eastern Region from their Chelmsford office, while also working on live projects around the country.

Advising on local community consultation and relations alongside local, regional and national political engagement, Phil has worked with companies and organisations across the public and private sectors. His current and recent client list includes British Land, Google, Far East Consortium, EDF Renewables, Homes England, Canary Wharf Group, Berkeley Homes and Ryse Hydrogen. He has also worked with a range of international clients seeking to engage with UK audiences, working with clients from the US, Middle East, China and Europe.

Phil previously served as a Conservative councillor in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, has been a candidate for the Greater London Assembly, and remains politically active.

Phil sits on the Board of Opportunity South Essex, the local federated board for the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) for South Essex. He was previously a member of Catalyst UK and the UKTI Professional and Business Services Trade and Investment Advisory Group.

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Phil’s specialisms

We are a truly integrated team and strive to bring the perfect mix of talent and insight to every project. Below are some of the sectors and services I specialise in.

Planning & Engagement

As leading public consultation specialists, we have advised on some of the UK’s most significant development and infrastructure projects.

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Strategy & Corporate Communications

We advise organisations through their growth cycle, from individuals and start-ups to global leaders.

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Purpose & Sustainability

We work with organisations as they transition to a world of purpose and profit and engage all stakeholders to secure trust in corporate ESG missions.

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Public Affairs & Government Relations

Our advisers draw on cross-party experience to shape policy and deliver regulatory change with campaigns that reach key stakeholders.

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Alternatives

We support investors, developers, agents and operators across alternative residential assets, including BTR, PBSA, Co-Living and Later Living...

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Construction

We support housebuilders, contractors and consultants across the construction sector to build relations with local communities, potential partners and other external stakeholders, while supporting client and workforce engagement within the sector. We help companies communicate their credentials around sustainability, responsible construction and social value, highlighting successes and managing potential issues to build reputations and...

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Office, Retail & Commercial

Our team has deep experience across the breadth of commercial real estate, delivering impactful corporate or project communications campaigns for offices, retail, leisure, life sciences, industrial and logistics.

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Placemaking & Regeneration

We work across some of the most significant regeneration schemes in the UK and Europe...

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Residential

Our team has extensive experience in delivering locally and globally relevant campaigns for a broad range of residential-led businesses and projects, from landmark new destinations and mixed-use developments to branded residences and one-off luxury homes in London, the UK and overseas. We can support the full development lifecycle of projects with a full range of communications and stakeholder engagement services, helping clients...

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Energy, Transport & Infrastructure

Meet the team and find out more about SEC Newgate's expertise across the Energy, Transport and Infrastructure sectors.

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Phil’s insights

SEC Newgate publishes a twice-weekly e-newsletter, as well as other regular sector-focused news and views. Below you will find the latest articles written by me or insights relating to my sector specialist areas.

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Events

Conference Season is Open: Political discussions devolve from the chambers in Westminster to conference cities across the country

Sitting squarely between the summer holiday season and the Christmas season is the lesser...

Poll Card with various rossetts in the foreground

News

The Local Elections were an aftershock rather than an earthquake

The stunning victory delivered by Reform UK last week has set commentators running with...

News

This electoral train is from Whitehall to Town Hall, not stopping at County Hall!

As Angela Rayner announced to the Commons on Wednesday that she had decided to postpone...

Phil provides a razor-sharp insight on the political and community dimensions of the planning process across the country. His advice has been invaluable on multiple occasions, and with the team at SEC Newgate, he has the resource to deliver results in any sector.

Jolly Hall, JAX Real Estate

Recent work

We always strive to bring the perfect mix of experience and talent to every project. Whatever the discipline, for us it’s all about delivering positive change for our clients.

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