Women in Public Affairs reveal annual sponsors for 2024

Recruitment firm Melbury Wood and strategic communications firms DGA and Weber Shandwick sign on as WiPA’s annual sponsors under a transformed Committee.

Following the recent transformation of Women in Public Affairs’ (WiPA) Executive Committee, the Network is pleased to announce Melbury Wood, DGA and Weber Shandwick as their headline annual sponsors for 2024. 

WiPA has sought annual sponsors as it aims to bolster its activity in its 12th year, under new Chair Victoria McNish. The sponsorship will support the network’s increased focus on its campaigning and communications ability, while enabling the Executive Committee to continue to deliver the networking, events, training and support it is renowned for.

In addition to its annual sponsors, WiPA will continue to work with the wide range of organisations that have supported its activity over the years.

Last year was a record year for WiPA. The Network grew to over 2,300 members, cementing it as the largest industry network in UK public affairs, and held over 20 successful, and often sold-out, events with outstanding speakers. 

At the end of the month, WiPA will release the results of its 5th annual survey, in partnership with Opinium, to kick start its 2024 campaign on pay transparency in the sector. WiPA is also pleased to be sponsoring the new ‘Woman of the Year’ category at the PRCA’s Public Affairs Awards 2024, which will be announced on 1st February. 

Victoria McNish, Chair of WiPA, said:

“We are delighted to have Melbury Wood, DGA and Weber as our headline sponsors for 2024, all of whom have strongly supported WiPA over the years. With our network growing bigger by the month, their backing will enable us to do more to support and inspire women at all stages of their public affairs careers, and ultimately build a more diverse and representative industry. We are ramping up our campaigning and communications this year - based on feedback from our members - and with the ongoing support of our many sponsors and partners from across public affairs and politics, we have a busy agenda of activity already underway!”

Amandeep Gill, Founding Partner of Melbury Wood, said:

“At Melbury Wood, we feel privileged to continue to be able to show our support for WIPA in their efforts to promote greater diversity and representation for women in the industry. By sponsoring WIPA, we actively contribute to breaking barriers and providing a platform for women in public affairs. Our commitment to fostering inclusion and promoting varied perspectives is not just a choice but a privilege we embrace wholeheartedly.”

Katherine Morgan, Partner & Head of UK Public Affairs at DGA, said:

“We have long been strongly supportive of WiPA and its excellent work and are pleased to be stepping up our support this year as an annual sponsor. Our team has benefited from the networking, events, training and wider support WiPA provides, so we know just how important an organisation it is. It’s been a pleasure to watch the network grow over the years, and we at DGA are committed to doing what we can to get more women into public affairs, facilitate progression, tackle the challenges they face head on, and drive a more diverse industry - and in turn enable crucial diversity of thought in politics and policy making.”

Laura Tapper, Managing Director, Corporate Enterprise at Weber Shandwick, said:

"Weber Shandwick is delighted to be supporting the Women in PA Network as an annual sponsor. The work of the Network is incredibly important and closely aligned with our values. We are committed to promoting diversity in the industry, fostering diverse talent and ensuring that women at all levels feel supported in their careers and the Network does great work to further those aims.”