This week, our Sixth Form Speaker Programme welcomed Giles Wilkes, who shared a candid look into his role as a special adviser (SpAD) to Prime Minister Theresa May and Business Secretary Vince Cable. Giles shed light on how SpADs often lead the real policy battles behind the scenes, pushing for practical solutions in heated discussions away from public view. He spoke about his key contributions to workers’ rights reforms and his involvement in the early phases of the UK’s net-zero initiative, which laid the groundwork for a more sustainable future. His talk gave us a rare glimpse into how significant change is driven by the efforts of advisers working to shape policy for the long term. We are grateful to Giles for sharing his vast experience and shedding light on the vital, often unseen, role of SpADs in shaping national policy.

Milla Nieuwenburg, Lower Sixth