Public affairs specialist provides political advice

11 February 2021

Mark Hinge, a business owner with more than 25 years’ public affairs experience under his belt, is using his expertise to give political advice as a member of the Police Federation’s Welsh Affairs Sub-Committee.

His involvement with the Police Federation of England and Wales stems back to 2009, when his company, The Bay Ltd, which specialises in public affairs and communications across Wales, was contacted for advice. 

Reflecting on the past decade, Mark explains what he believes the role of the committee to be.

“To protect, promote the role, functions and understanding for all police officers in Wales and to facilitate engagement with the elected bodies and civic society,” he says.

“My role, within that, is to neutrally advise in a political and policy context within the UK.

“I see the biggest challenges for the committee to be a changing constitution, separate laws and diverging policies but the handling of the pandemic in Wales has helped demonstrate the role of the Welsh Government, and also impacted on the work of WASC in a positive way.”

Originally from Cardigan, Wales, Mark founded The Bay in 1998, having previously worked in communications within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as the United Nations at British Embassies.

His experience with the British Embassies includes working in Italy, USA, the Middle East, Pakistan, Russia and Japan, as well as the Ministry of Defence at Whitehall.

“I now advise a number of organisations, including the Police Federation,” added Mark, who is also currently re-learning the Welsh language. 

As well as being a member of The Institute of Welsh Affairs, Mark is a founding member of Public Affairs Cymru, a volunteer-run membership organisation for public affairs professionals in Wales.

Alongside being a regular television and radio broadcaster, Mark is a columnist for newspapers and magazines.