How Labour’s Lobbying Firm Anacta Strategies Is Shaping UK Policy—And Raising Concerns Over “Corporate Capture”
June 1, 2026 — Since Labour’s landslide victory in the 2024 UK general election, a little-known lobbying firm has quietly emerged as a powerhouse in Westminster’s corridors of influence. Anacta Strategies, founded by former Australian Labor Party lobbyists and now operating as a subsidiary of its UK arm, has positioned itself as the go-to advisory firm for businesses seeking to navigate—or shape—Keir Starmer’s government. But its rapid rise has sparked alarm among transparency advocates, who warn of a growing “revolving door” between political insiders and corporate interests.
With clients ranging from defence contractors to tech giants, and deep ties to Labour’s leadership, Anacta exemplifies the challenges of regulating lobbying in an era where former party officials transition seamlessly into high-paying consultancy roles. The firm’s growth—highlighted by a £90,000 bill to Labour for election strategy advice and a surge in outstanding invoices—raises critical questions: How much influence do private interests wield in Starmer’s government? And is the UK’s lobbying transparency system fit for purpose?
— ### The Anacta Phenomenon: From Party Insiders to Policy Shapers Anacta’s ascent is built on a network of former Labour officials who now advise corporations on how to engage with government. The firm’s UK arm was launched in 2024, shortly after Labour’s election win, with two key hires: – Teddy Ryan, a former Labour Party director who helped build the party’s relationship with business and founded the Labour Business Network. Ryan is married to Hollie Ridley, Labour’s general secretary—a connection that underscores the firm’s embeddedness in the party. – Matt Faulding, a senior Labour strategist and former secretary of the Parliamentary Labour Party, who joined Anacta in November 2024. Faulding’s hiring was particularly notable: he had previously worked closely with Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s former chief of staff, and played a key role in Labour’s election campaign. These appointments are not mere coincidences. Anacta’s business model leverages the revolving door—the cycle where government officials, once out of office, use their insider knowledge and contacts to lobby on behalf of corporations. While UK law prohibits former ministers from lobbying for two years, the rules are far looser for party officials, creating a loophole that firms like Anacta exploit.
Key Stat: Anacta’s outstanding invoices jumped from £700 in 2023 to £210,123 by June 2025, suggesting a dramatic increase in business since Labour took office (OpenDemocracy).
— ### Who’s Lobbying Who? Anacta’s High-Profile Clients Anacta’s client list reads like a Who’s Who of UK industry, with firms seeking to influence policy in sectors from defence to fintech. Among its most notable clients: – Pearson Engineering (Israeli-owned defence contractor) secured a £10 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence—its largest ever—shortly after Anacta began representing it. – Airbnb, Visa, and Sky have also engaged Anacta for lobbying efforts, though the firm does not disclose a full client roster. – Revolut and Amazon Web Services (AWS) participated in a roundtable hosted by Anacta with then-Tech Secretary Peter Kyle in May 2025. The firm’s influence extends beyond corporate clients. Anacta has hosted private breakfasts and roundtables featuring Labour insiders, including: – Clare Reynolds (former No. 10 political director, now a senior Labour official), who offered attendees “invaluable tips on engaging with No. 10” at a December 2024 event. – Morgan McSweeney, Labour’s former chief of staff, who met with Anacta representatives for lunch in December 2025—a meeting recorded only as “hospitality” in government transparency data.
Transparency Gap: Unlike many lobbying firms, Anacta is not signed up to the PRCA’s Code for Professional Lobbying, meaning it is not required to disclose its full client list or adhere to ethical standards beyond statutory obligations.
— ### The Revolving Door: A System Under Scrutiny The revolving door between government and lobbying is not new, but Anacta’s rapid growth under Labour has intensified scrutiny. Critics argue that the current system allows firms like Anacta to operate with minimal oversight: – No Cooling-Off Period for Party Officials: Unlike former ministers, Labour staffers like Ryan and Faulding face no legal restrictions on immediately joining lobbying firms. – Lobbying of Special Advisers: The UK’s statutory definition of lobbying does not cover interactions with special advisers (political appointees like McSweeney), who often wield significant influence despite lacking ministerial authority. Anacta’s meetings with these figures are not recorded in the official lobbying register. – Lack of Voluntary Compliance: Anacta and its competitor Arden Strategies (another Starmer-linked firm) are not members of the PRCA’s ethics board, meaning they operate outside industry self-regulation.
Expert Perspective: “When a firm created by well-connected former party staffers can operate outside any code of conduct and lobby special advisers without triggering transparency requirements, it exposes gaping holes in the system.” — Kamila Kingstone, Programme Director at Spotlight on Corruption
— ### Parliamentary Pushback: Is Reform Coming? Opposition MPs have raised concerns in Parliament about Anacta’s access to government. Conservatives John Glen and Mike Wood asked ministers whether Anacta representatives had met with Treasury or Downing Street special advisers, but received no substantive response. Labour MP Jon Trickett, a vocal critic of the revolving door, warned: > “In a democracy, power and influence is supposed to be exercised by the voters. But when private wealth and large corporations capture the state, then democracy itself is subverted.” Calls for reform are growing, with advocates pushing for: 1. Stronger lobbying registration rules to include interactions with special advisers. 2. Mandatory cooling-off periods for former party officials moving into lobbying. 3. Full client disclosure for all lobbying firms, not just those meeting narrow statutory definitions.
What’s Next? The UK’s Register of Consultant Lobbyists currently requires firms to disclose only those clients for whom they engage in “statutory lobbying.” But with firms like Anacta operating in the grey areas, pressure is mounting for a more comprehensive system.
— ### FAQ: Key Questions About Anacta and Lobbying Reform
1. What is the “revolving door,” and why is it controversial?
The revolving door refers to the movement of officials between government and private sectors. It’s controversial because it can lead to conflicts of interest, where former policymakers use their insider knowledge to benefit corporations—often at the expense of public interest. Critics argue it undermines trust in democracy.
2. Why isn’t Anacta required to disclose all its clients?
UK law only mandates disclosure for lobbying that meets a statutory definition, which excludes many interactions (e.g., with special advisers). Anacta, like other firms, exploits this loophole by not joining voluntary codes like the PRCA’s, which would require full transparency.
3. Has Labour taken any steps to address these concerns?
As of June 2026, Labour has not introduced major reforms. However, MPs like Jon Trickett continue to push for stricter rules, and the House of Commons Ethics Committee is reviewing lobbying transparency.
4. Are other countries doing better at regulating lobbying?
Yes. Countries like France and Canada have stricter lobbying laws, including mandatory registration for all lobbyists and cooling-off periods for former officials. The UK’s system is often described as weak by comparison.
5. What can the public do to demand more transparency?
– Contact MPs to support calls for lobbying reform. – Monitor the Register of Consultant Lobbyists (link) for updates. – Support organizations like Spotlight on Corruption advocating for stronger rules.
— ### Conclusion: A Test for Labour’s Commitment to Transparency Anacta Strategies’ rise is a microcosm of a broader challenge facing Starmer’s government: balancing access for business with the public’s right to know who is influencing policy. While the firm’s growth reflects Labour’s pragmatic approach to governance, it also highlights the urgent need for reform. Without stronger rules, the UK risks deepening public cynicism about politics—and the revolving door will continue to spin, blurring the line between public service and private gain.
Final Thought: If Labour truly wants to “restore trust in politics,” as Starmer has pledged, closing the revolving door—and the gaps in lobbying transparency—must be a priority.