Politicians have enormous demands on their time.
So many businesses and organisations want meetings in Westminster or at conferences but, to be truly effective, engagement must be relevant.
van der Knight devises stakeholder engagement strategies that MPs want to be a part of.
Stakeholder Engagement
Gareth Knight has worked with countless politicians and has built strong rapports with decision makers with all levels of experience, from all parties and backgrounds. Gareth’s approach is to ensure stakeholders are able to relate to and even enjoy being engaged with to ensure messages are welcomed and relevant to the target audience.
Case study 1: showcasing the benefits to MPs’ constituents of a heavily regulated company
Challenge
A major operator in a heavily regulated sector had long treated its sponsorship of a sport as a marketing exercise. The end-client and their agency believed the sponsorship could do more to support public affairs work by demonstrating the company’s real‑world value to constituents. They needed a way to use the sponsorship to build understanding and support among MPs that would be more engaging and persuasive than formal meetings in Westminster.
Approach
The agency asked van der Knight to design a programme that would turn the sponsorship into a vehicle for constituency‑level engagement. The plan:
identified the MPs whose constituencies benefited from the end-client’s sponsorship
created opportunities for MPs to see and experience the sponsorship’s impact first‑hand
focused on practical, local benefits to constituents rather than abstract corporate messaging
used the visits to open informal, politically relevant conversations grounded in real examples
van der Knight then personally delivered the visits, refining the format as experience grew and feedback was gathered from both MPs and the end-client.
Outcome
The project expanded significantly beyond its initial scope, ultimately engaging scores of MPs from across multiple parties. The programme generated a series of parliamentary questions supportive of the client’s position and helped reposition the company as a visible contributor to local communities rather than a distant, heavily regulated operator. Multiple MPs commented that the scheme was both enjoyable and one of the most effective ways they had seen a company explain its work and value to constituents with those who were not targeted asking to take part in the project.
Case study 2: grounding increased regulation on the effect on small local businesses
Challenge
A major international FMCG manufacturer faced a substantial piece of UK regulation that threatened to reshape their competitive landscape. Their agency proposed a campaign that would shift the debate away from abstract national policy arguments and towards the real‑world consequences of such regulation being brought in too fast. van der Knight was asked to lead a three‑month advocacy campaign.
Approach
van der Knight designed a constituency‑level strategy focused on the small businesses most exposed to the proposed regulation. The campaign:
identified the key MPs and parliamentary candidates to target based on a range of factors such as influence and known views
worked directly with those businesses to articulate practical, localised consequences affecting the constituents of the MP concerned
reframed the issue from a national regulatory debate into a voter‑level economic concern
provided MPs with credible, constituency‑specific evidence they could use both privately and publicly
The campaign evolved as political conditions changed, expanding far beyond the initial three‑month scope.
Outcome
The work ultimately ran for nearly three years, targeting dozens of MPs across multiple parties. The narrative successfully shifted from a technical regulatory discussion to a tangible issue affecting local livelihoods. MPs became more confident in raising concerns, both in private briefings and in public forums. As a result, the legislation was delayed by three years and implemented with a lengthy transition period, giving the client time to diversify into alternative products.
Case study 3: advocating change by giving MPs hands-on experiences
Challenge
A group of hospitality businesses were frustrated that their established trade association was not giving sufficient attention to a workforce issue that was having a direct impact on recruitment, retention and service quality. They formed a dedicated campaign group to push for regulatory change but needed credible parliamentary advocates who could speak from real‑world experience rather than abstract policy positions.
Approach
van der Knight designed a campaign that combined constituency‑level engagement with visible public support. The strategy:
gathered signatures from hospitality businesses to demonstrate sector‑wide concern
mobilised customers to add weight through public backing
encouraged businesses to invite MPs to experience the realities of the hospitality sector first‑hand
ensured MPs were equipped with practical, experience‑based insights they could use in parliamentary debates and private discussions
The campaign deliberately prioritised authentic, lived experience over traditional lobbying, giving MPs a direct understanding of the workforce challenges.
Outcome
The campaign secured committed parliamentary advocates who were able to speak with authority about the sector’s challenges. MPs used their first‑hand experiences to push for regulatory changes that better reflected the realities faced by hospitality businesses and their customers. The campaign strengthened the credibility of the businesses involved and created a more informed and constructive dialogue with policymakers.