Ashton Cull Email & Phone Number

Ely

Successfully integrated into the Mayor’s Office and became a key part of the Combined Authority leadership team; advised on political and policy issues, particularly regarding government relations, local political management and policy development.Embedded the political knowledge I gained from Westminster into the Mayor’s Office, and introduced a more strategic approach to political stakeholder management in order to further the political aims of the Mayor and Combined Authority, which included full briefings on key issues and a consistent focus on key objectives for meetings.Ensured accurate representation of Mayoral communications priorities by reviewing press releases drafted by the Communications Team to ensure consistency of messaging and drafting key releases central to the Combined Authority political strategy. Deputised for the Mayor in key regional government meetings, including the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, England’s Economic Heartland and the UK Investment Corridor, where I successfully and consistently advocated the Combined Authority position.As a key liaison between Combined Authority officers and the Mayor’s office, provided solutions to political problems encountered by officers and supervised early stages of new policy measures to guarantee officer focus on key objectives.Managed all external political engagement, including the drafting of detailed ministerial correspondence, organising ministerial meetings, establishing political group briefings and responding to resident correspondence.Strengthened the team around me by recruiting new interns and managing the internship programme, providing learning & training opportunities for local young people and additional resource for the Mayor’s Office and Communication Team.Adapted to changing circumstances, including assuming additional responsibilities following departure of the Chief of Staff and adjusting to working from home as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Westminster

Managed all elements of the Westminster office for the Member, including correspondence, diary management, equipment procurement, budgetary management, staff supervision and liaising with Parliamentary authorities, which required strong attention to detail, wide awareness of ongoing issues and knowledge of when to escalate or delegate matters appropriately.Briefed the Member on key policy issues raised by constituents and campaign groups; analysed, interpreted and evaluated data, reviewed press activity and researched complex and difficult subjects in order to provide fullest possible information and advise on appropriate action.Used research, communication and prioritisation skills to deal with complex queries and complaints on the MPs' behalf, progress casework and respond to correspondence from constituents, the media, lobbyists and pressure groupsDeputised for the Member at meetings with stakeholders where requited, and liaises with groups/personnel at Westminster, within the constituency and the general public on the Member's behalf as required.

Westminster

Researched, drafted and sent out responses to constituents on behalf of the MP, quickly adapted to preferred procedure and writing style in order to process high numbers of cases.Liaised with government bodies, local authorities and third party organisations to progress casework.Dealt with sensitive and confidential information on a wide range of issues, ensured cases were administered confidentially.Supervised office staff and providing feedback on work as required; successfully trained new members of the team on office policy.Worked successfully with minimal supervision, particularly during parliamentary election campaign, to maintain local presence within the constituency.Regularly liaised with parliamentary service teams and government departments and worked well with other members of the Member’s office team to identify efficiencies, improve processes and resolve ongoing issues.

Dealt with daily queries from members of the public by phone or in person, took the appropriate initial action to resolve or document or escalate their concerns or enquiries. Effectively communicated with both external and internal contacts to progress constituent cases.Gathered information from constituents to progress or close the case in a sensitive and confidential manner. Continually maintained, updated and developed personal knowledge of demanding, specialised or complex cases.Managed own caseload and progress of casework, ensured all cases were dealt with in a sensitive and confidential manner, appropriately logged and updated with any actions taken, outstanding queries followed up, and urgent cases reported to the Member.Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant guidelines/legislation as appropriate in dealing with casework; Developed particular knowledge in housing, immigration, benefits and healthcare complaints cases.Attended surgeries and other meetings to assist the Member in dealing with constituents’ issues, including secretarial support and briefings on key issues. When required attended meetings in place of the Member and reportied back on outcomes and further actionsEnsured full records of contact with constituents were kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act.Regularly drafted documentation for the Member, including detailed correspondence, written questions submitted to Ministers and social media updates.

London, United Kingdom

Member of the Transaction Services Team, working primarily in litigation, performing tasks traditionally reserved for solicitors in order to improve efficiency, keep costs down for clients and learn about the way the legal services sector is changing.Undertook administrative, analysis and drafting tasks, both individually and as part of larger teams, across the field of the firm's work, but primarily in the litigation and planning divisionsSuccessfully completed several secondments, including document review for an independent enquiry, a 6 week placement at Barclaycard, where I advised on the content of advertisements in relation to ASA guidelines and relocated to London to assist on the highest value case in the English court system.

Attended court with Counsel to manage the file and assist with legal research.

Learnt about company policy and US tax law, and applied that knowledge to processing management requests from annuity account holders.

Provided research into economic data and best practices for the development of publications, presentations and online tools.

B.Soc.Sci, Politics And International Relations, 2:1

Activities and Societies: University of Manchester Students' Union Campaigns Secretary - 2007-8, University of Manchester Students' Union.

Graduate Diploma In Law And Bar Professional Training Course, Law, Very Competent

Activities and Societies: Mooting - Winner GDL Moot 2010, Quarter Finalist Lincoln's Inn Moot 2011Achieved Outstanding/Distinction level.