Portland expands its horizons post-Brexit

As Michael Gove does his bit for US-UK relations in The Times today with a Donald Trump interview on the positives of a quick trade deal, his former staff, too, are on manoeuvres to boost post-Brexit business.

Mr S understands that Gove’s former SpAd — and Vote Leave adviser — Henry Cook has joined Portland Communications as the PR firm’s new Associate Director. Cook joins Victoria Dean’s Brexit unit to offer advice to businesses on the opportunities the Leave vote presents.

Given that Portland was once the home of New Labour — and remains the scourge of the Corbynistas — his arrival shows just how much the political landscape has changed. But while the firm was founded by Blair aide Tim Allan and counts Alastair Campbell as one of its senior advisers, Cook can take heart that he won’t be a lone Brexiteer — he joins Michael Portillo, who is on the Advisory Council.