`Our Story.Stephenson-Mohl Group was founded to reshape public affairs - proving that strategic influence can be built from the regions and scaled to the centre.
Starting in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2018, we’ve grown by challenging convention and delivering results where others follow process. Our 2024 expansion to Westminster connects our clients directly to national decision-makers, while keeping our regional insight at the heart of everything we do.
We operate at the intersection of local intelligence and national strategy - driving policy, unlocking opportunity, and delivering measurable impact.
Our approach is simple: Local Insights, National Impact.
Our Team.A team of industry experts ready to take your business to the next level.
Mark Stephenson Managing Director
Mark brings a wealth of experience in strategic communications, working closely with business leaders and policymakers to drive awareness and influence change. He founded SMG in 2018 with a clear mission: to deliver meaningful benefits for the UK by engaging local, national, and global stakeholders through targeted communications and policy work.
Simon Henig CBE
Head of Government Relations
Simon has over 30 years of experience in UK politics, including serving as Leader of Durham County Council (2008–2021) and as the inaugural Chair of the North East Combined Authority. A long-standing member of Labour’s national policy forum and Gordon Brown’s Commission on the UK’s Future, Simon combines deep academic expertise in UK government with frontline political insight to lead SMG’s government relations and policy work.
Rebecca Johnson Head of Operations
Rebecca is a CIPR-accredited communications professional with over a decade of experience in politically engaged roles across the private, public, and third sectors. She leads SMG’s strategic communications programmes, using detailed scoping and stakeholder mapping to deliver impactful campaigns that inform and influence decision-makers.
Alex Kirkup
Senior Public Affairs Manager
Alex has worked across both local and national political landscapes, including several years in Westminster as a parliamentary advisor. Before joining SMG in 2024, he advised on local government policy and supported MPs with research, communications, and campaigns. He brings a strong network of regional and national contacts to support SMG’s expanding political engagement across the UK.
Joseph McKenna
Public Affairs Manager
After graduating in politics from the University of Sheffield, Joseph worked for several years for a Member of Parliament, building effective constituency campaigns. Since joining SMG, Joseph specialises in providing clients in the development, built-environment and energy sectors with insight into the UKs fast changing political and policy landscape.
Georgia Jamieson
Public Affairs Manager
Georgia specialises in aligning corporate objectives with social impact, building trusted relationships across the political spectrum. With a well-established network spanning local, regional, devolved, and UK government, she brings extensive experience in public affairs. Her six years with the Labour Party saw her contribute to policy development and campaign delivery across England and Scotland.
Poppy Stewart-Piercy
Public Affairs Executive
Christine Volpe
Business Support Manager
Join the team
At SMG we’re always on the lookout for talented people to join our growing team. Current opportunities are detailed below.
Get in touch and let us know why you would make a great addition to the business.