Bellenden

Matt Rodda

Associate

Matt specialises in education policy. A former senior civil servant who worked in the No10 strategic communications unit, Matt was David Blunkett’s ghost writer whilst he was Education Secretary. Matt was also head of external relations for the Academies Programme at the DfES.

Since leaving the civil service Matt has led on policy and communication projects for the DCSF, DIUS, DCLG, the TDA, the SSAT, the Million+ group of new universities, Save the Children and the Innovation Unit.

Mary Derrane MCIPR

Associate

Mary has over 30 years experience in public affairs, media and internal communications and is one of Bellenden’s team of experienced associates.

For 15 years she worked for Pfizer Ltd as Communications Manager. She then went on to spend eight years as a public affairs consultant working primarily on local government and education clients.

Mary was a senior Labour councillor on Thanet District Council for 12 years. In addition, she was a non-executive director of her local hospital trust for six years and also served as a non-executive director of Technology Enterprise Kent until November 2009.

Karen Freel MCIPR

Associate

Karen has extensive knowledge of the political landscape in Scotland having served as a local councillor in Aberdeenshire and as head of office for a MEP liaising with the Scottish Parliament.  As a consultant, she has provided government relations advice to blue chip companies including General Motors and Raytheon Systems Ltd.  Karen has also worked with GE Energy and the Food Standards Agency in Scotland providing corporate business planning, media relations and public affairs support.