Steve Norris

Steve Norris works as a consultant for Political Developments Limited and has spent a lifetime in business and politics.  After completing a Law degree at Oxford University and subsequently working in business he was a Conservative MP for fourteen years from 1983 during which time he was a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department of the Environment, then the Department of Trade and Industry and in 1990, the Home Office.  In 1992 he was appointed Minister for Transport in London which he remained until he retired from Parliament in 1997 to resume his business career. 

He is a former Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party and was twice their candidate for Mayor of London, outperforming the national party at the polls on both occasions.  Steve currently has a wide portfolio of business interests mainly in infrastructure and property. He is Chairman of AMT-Sybex Group and Saferoad BLG Ltd and a director of a number of private and quoted companies including ITIS Holdings, Ardmore Construction and Byrne Estates.  He advises a number of major developers on planning and related issues and is a regular columnist for Property Week. 

He is Chair of a number of charities including Eastside Young Leaders Academy and the London Action Trust and is a Trustee of the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust.  He currently serves on the boards of both the London Development Agency and Transport for London. He is a Companion of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Georgina Chapman

Georgina Chapman joined Political Developments Ltd after spending a number of years working in government relations and corporate communications.

A graduate from the University of Warwick, Georgina has gained experience working across a number of clients including: Explore Investments’ regeneration of the former Vauxhall Motors car plant in Luton; the Historic Houses Association’s campaign on tax and heritage issues; the Association of British Orchestras and Naxos on their parliamentary campaigns.

Georgina has a thorough understanding of Parliamentary procedure and is responsible for monitoring developments at Regional Government, Westminster and Whitehall on a daily basis.

Jo Ingham

Jo Ingham works as a consultant for Political Developments Limited and has eight years experience working in environment, transport and local government. After leaving Cambridge University, Jo started her career as the political advisor to the Leader of a London Borough, before working on stakeholder relations during the GLA's Draft London Plan.    

Since leaving the GLA, Jo has worked on campaigns to secure planning permission on a range of projects including, Energy from Waste facilities, a reservoir in the South East of England and local government outreach programmes.

Jo has also been heavily involved in many national campaigns, most recently against Government rises in fuel duty. This campaign also won Jo and her team Public Affairs News Trade Association of the Year 2008.  

Jo is a member of the CIPR.

Tom Byrne

Tom is the newest member of the PDL team. After graduating from Reading University with a 2:1 in History and Politics, Tom joined PDL in January 2010. Tom is responsible for all local government and media monitoring and has a thorough understanding of Parliamentary procedure and local government. He also has experience of organising public exhibitions, drafting communications materials, designing websites and logos.

Simon Keal

Simon Keal joined Political Developments Limited in June 2009. He has over three years’ experience in the public affairs industry, and has worked with a range of property clients on often controversial developments.

A native of the Midlands, Simon was previously employed in the Birmingham office of a leading UK public affairs consultancy and has worked on major residential and mixed-use schemes in locations including Northampton, Lincoln and Evesham. He also has considerable experience of other development sectors, including retail, hotels, logistics and waste management.

Simon previously worked for a Trade Association where he was responsible for supporting its national public affairs strategy. He began his career at a think tank in Westminster, where he carried out research into public policy issues and helped organise political events.

Simon studied Politics at the Universities of York and Warwick and has a keen interest in elections and local government, giving him a thorough understanding of politicians and communities.