Portland hires former junior equalities minister Jo Swinson

Former junior equalities minister and Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson is working with Portland Communications to help the agency improve upon its workplace diversity.

Swinson’s request to work with Portland was approved by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments on 7 October, and was published yesterday (1 November). The letter states that the paid project will involve ‘several days’ work’.

Alexandra Farley, Portland’s chief operating officer, said: “Attracting and nurturing top talent is at the core of our business. As part of that, we want Portland to set the standard when it comes to diversity. We are delighted to be working with Jo Swinson, an acknowledged expert in the area, to gain an outside perspective and fresh ideas on how we can make Portland the best possible workplace”.

Swinson was formerly a Member of Parliament for the East Dunbartonshire constituency. From 2007 to 2008 she was the Liberal Democrats’ spokeswoman (junior shadow minister) for women and equality. She also chaired the Liberal Democrats’ campaign for gender balance since 2004.

Since losing her seat in 2015, Swinson founded her own consultancy, Equal Power Consulting, to ‘help businesses identify and deliver organisational change to enable their people to thrive, whether they are women or men.’