Sarah-jane Sewell’s Post

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Senior Consultant at Shearwater Global | Director of DigitalTories

In March last year, I set up a group of former Conservative parliamentary staffers, not expecting much to come of it - maybe just 30 or so of us to stay connected and in touch, because I knew that I was going to miss the collegiate community we so carefully curated whilst in the House. As of today, we're now at just shy of 800 members. The Conservative Parliamentary Staffers Alumni network has been an incredible community that I have proud to convene. Working for an MP or Peer is a unique experience and this year we've a very large number join the ranks of "alumni". Our group has been a powerful exercise in supporting, networking, advising, all the "ing's". Some members hark back to the 80's - that's over 5 historic decades of experience. Have you ever managed an open Whatsapp group of that many people? It's a challenge to say the least... We're a broad church, with a breadth of experience, and an even bigger breadth of opinions. It means being tough whilst trying to be fair, and fielding a million questions, and trying to please everyone which is inevitably impossible. Nevertheless, I hope it will continue to be a useful tool for all involved. I also hope that the party will listen and engage with this group, with the wealth of knowledge and experience it contains. And wearing a festive hat, I'm hoping we can all get together for a new year bevvy - so if your company would be happy to sponsor a networking reception, please let me know. (Recruiters - I'm looking at you 👀 ) I also set up a cross-party equivalent group, which is not as big, but I'm looking to build out. If you're a former parliamentary staffer from other parties, please reach out to me, as I'd love your help in growing this particular cross-party project. Please get in touch with me if you'd like to join these groups.

Sarah-jane Sewell

Senior Consultant at Shearwater Global | Director of DigitalTories

2w

Linkedin group here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12793171/ Message me for the whatsapp group.

Sarah-jane Sewell

Senior Consultant at Shearwater Global | Director of DigitalTories

1w

I’d like to join the group - I worked for Kevin Foster -MP for Torbay -for 7 years . Thanks

Jo Tanner

Political & communications strategist, media commentator and mum.

2w

Bravo

I'm interested to join, left Parliament last year after 17 years.

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Jimmy McLoughlin OBE

🎥 Netflix for Business | 🎤 Host: Jimmy's Jobs | Former Downing Street Adviser | King’s awards for enterprise | event host

2w

What a terrific initiative Sarah-jane Sewell 👏 👏

Katherine Dew

Government Affairs Executive at The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)

1w

Why am I not a member?! Please invite me! Well done on your huge success building this xx

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Alexander Hall

Chief of Staff to Gary Sambrook MP

2w

Yes please I would like to join

Chris Van Roon

Senior Executive Officer at Department for Education, Board Member for Environment and Sustainability, Trust STFC

2d

Yes please Sarah-Jane. Experience in 2010 to 2012 for working with Team Swindon - Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson.

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Very useful it is as well - seen some incredibly niche requests for contacts being fulfilled in there! WhatsApp groups can often be a pain, especially large ones - thanks for setting it up & keeping it on track.

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