Andrea Newman, currently Strategic Director of Communications and Engagement at Surrey County Council, has been appointed as our Director of Communications and Engagement, joining the extended Strategic Leadership Team.
Andrea brings with her extensive experience of communications across board-level, national and local government environments.
Over the past six years, Andrea has developed the highly regarded communications function at Surrey County Council and also boasts experience of government communications in Downing Street, the Cabinet Office and at the Ministry of Defence, where she both supported and led communications around significant incidents and time leading cross-government communications for COBR, the UK’s crisis response committee.
Andrea has also held the role of Deputy Director of Communications at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, offering strategic media advice and mitigating reputational risk. This included leading the policing communications response to the 2011 London riots, the Leveson Inquiry, London Olympics, and G8 Summit.
Before joining local government, Andrea worked at global corporation KBR, where she led the development of a new brand and organisational culture programme as well as an external affairs strategy.
Andrea will take over from Alastair Campbell, who joined as the interim Director of Communications last September.
On joining the LGA, Andrea Newman said:
"I share the passion so many of us have for making a positive difference in people’s lives. At Surrey County Council, I’ve seen first-hand the impact we can achieve by understanding our communities and working closely with residents.
“As the sector faces significant change, the LGA’s role in supporting and advocating for councils is more important than ever. I’m excited to start work with the LGA’s political leadership, member councils, colleagues, and stakeholders to give local government an even louder voice, a stronger identity and ultimately improve the lives of the residents and communities that our members serve."